Monika Leigh Burness, MD
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About
Monika Burness, MD is Section Head for Breast Oncology and Co-Director of the Weiser Family Center for Breast Cancer at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center. She is a medical oncologist who cares for patients with all stages of breast cancer, from early diagnosis through advanced disease.
Dr. Burness is committed to providing thoughtful, personalized care that addresses both cancer treatment and quality of life. She has particular expertise in fertility preservation and in approaches to reduce chemotherapy-related hair loss, and she is actively involved in research aimed at improving these aspects of care for patients.
Her translational research, which includes both laboratory studies and clinical trials, focuses on understanding and targeting cancer stem cells in breast cancer, with the goal of developing more effective and durable treatments..
Areas of Practice
Breast cancer, including treatment of individuals with early stage and metastatic breast cancer
Fertility preservation in breast cancer patients
Prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (hair loss from chemo)
Expertise
Locations
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Breast Oncology Clinic | Rogel Cancer Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
Floor 1
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5916Get Directions
Insurance Accepted
University of Michigan Health participates with most health insurance plans.
Education & Training
Medical School or Training
Residency
Fellowships
Board Certifications
Professional Organizations
Research Overview
Dr. Burness' research program focuses on breast cancer stem cell therapeutics, with an emphasis on identifying novel strategies to target cancer stem cells in order to enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments and overcome therapeutic resistance. In her laboratory and through interdisciplinary collaborations, Dr. Burness has also developed and applied methods to isolate and characterize circulating tumor cells, with particular attention to stemness-related features and their role in disease progression.
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Patient Ratings & Comments
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Patient Ratings
75 Patient Ratings
Patient Comments
September 16, 2025 - "Dr. Burness listened to all my concerns with care and understanding. She was responsive and knowledgeable and made me feel that I could trust my care in her hands."
September 16, 2025 - "Dr. Burness shows how much she cares. I have some unique situations and she spent lots of time with me."
July 29, 2025 - "Dr. Burness always looks at me when I ask questions and make comments. She's very engaged in the visit."
May 20, 2025 - "I trust the expertise of Dr. Burness to treat the [...]. Where there is room for patient decision, she does a great job of explaining options. [...]"
March 2, 2025 - "Dr. Burness and [...] were so helpful, informative and took a genuine interest in answering my questions. Dr. Burness also made time to consult with my [...]. What wonderful support, respect and teamwork mindset Dr. Burness is adding to my healing process! I am grateful for her and her work."
February 13, 2025 - "Dr. Burness is a very caring person, and I am pleased she is my oncologist! She is concerned about me and my health issues."
January 9, 2025 - "I am so grateful to have Dr. Burness as my oncologist. She is knowledgeable, empathetic, and a caregiver in the truest sense of the word. She is always open to questions and answers in a kind and forthright manner. Dr. Burness has always looked for ways to improve my health and my healthcare experience within University of Michigan. Example 1. Revisiting [...] results with me to understand if these had been classified as [...]. Example 2. After relocation, putting in a request for a primary care doctor closer to my new home."
