Dr. Wendy R. Brewster became the Director of the Center for Women’s Health Research in 2008. She was the first physician in her family and even as early as age six, she knew that she was pre-programmed to pursue medicine as a career. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in Spanish from Rutgers University, she moved across the country to attend medical school at the University of California- Los Angeles. Dr. Brewster decided to practice gynecological surgery so she could offer holistic care to each woman. The specialty is an opportunity to provide continuity of care for each patient because she can operate on a patient and take care of her afterwards, potentially for the patient’s entire life. She decided to narrow her focus in gynecology to oncology specifically after working with many cancer patients throughout her rotations. After completing her residency in obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Brewster pursued her fellowship at the University of California-Irvine in gynecologic oncology.
As a part of her research at UC-Irvine, she used her mathematics background to contribute to epidemiological studies focused on improving how people receive cancer care. This led to Dr. Brewster pursuing a doctorate in epidemiology from UC-Irvine which she earned in 2000. Since that time, Dr. Brewster has practiced medicine and conducted research to identify populations at risk for disparate treatment and poor outcomes in endometrial, colon, ovarian and cervical cancers. She was appointed as the director of the UC-Irvine Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program in 2007.
The following year, Dr. Brewster moved to North Carolina to provide a larger impact and extend her reach to disciplines outside of oncology as the Director for the Center for Women’s Health Research. Dr. Brewster continues to maintain a busy clinic schedule in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s Division of Gynecologic Oncology while serving as CWHR’s Director. She additionally enjoys serving as a mentor to other gynecologic oncologists and collaborating on various projects. Dr. Brewster loves the open-minded and collaborative work environment at UNC.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling internationally and attending the theater.
Dr. Brewster is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s Gynecologic Oncology Division.
Clinical Queries for Dr. Brewster should be directed to Raven West at 919-843-2077 (Fax: 919-966-2646)
