Carolina Salvador, MD

Carolina Salvador, MD

Associate Professor

Address:
Division of Oncology
Mail Stop 8056-0029-11
Washington University
660 South Euclid Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110

Room 11406, Mid Campus Center (office)

Admin:
Annalise Seger
segera@wustl.edu

Clinical Interests
  • Integrative medicine
  • Cancer-related fatigue
  • Lymphedema
  • Cancer disparities
Research Interests
Research

My clinical and research focus are centered on how the whole person integrative medicine approach to cancer patients (body, mind and spirit) improves cancer and cancer treatment related symptoms. The integrative oncology clinic will be collecting patient reported outcomes to help guide how to best achieve proposals with meaningful and relevant research.

My general research interest is to understand how to best design the combination of integrative modalities with the best potential to improve outcomes, quality of life and healing for a person with cancer.

The integrative modalities that I am most interested are acupuncture, mindfulness, tai chi/qigong, followed by anti-inflammatory diet, mindfulness-based interventions and physical activity. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF), is one of the major complaints cancer patients have, not only during treatment but it can persist for years. Studies have shown that many of the integrative modalities may have an impact on CRF, but there is need for stronger data. I am working on a proposal to shed more light on these therapeutic modalities.

Another of my research focus is lymphedema which appears to be more severe in black women with breast cancer. My plan is to prove that early intervention could help preventing or decreasing the development of lymphedema and its severity. Finally, disparities in cancer and cancer outcomes as well as in secondary cancer prevention is another of my interests, clinically and research wise both. I believe clinical trials should have a mechanism in place to work towards equality. This could be done with better targeted dissemination of information to all potential patients using ethnically appropriated conduits as well as with better retention strategies. The integrative oncology program is an ideal setting not only to improve patients’ symptoms related to the cancer and its treatments but to do the research needed to advance the scientific knowledge of all its modalities and to help decrease cancer disparities.

Profiles (publications)
WU Physician Bio

Biosketch

Education

  • 1993-1989: MD, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Post-Graduate Training

  • 2017: Acupuncture, Helms Medical Institute, Baltimore, MD
  • 2015-2013: Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona
  • 2004-2001: Hematology/Oncology, University of Louisville
  • 1999-1996: Geriatrics Research Fellow, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 1996-1993: Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Academic Positions & Employment

  • present-2022: Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
  • 2021-2012: Assistant Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • 2011-2008: Assistant Professor, University of Louisville
  • 2005: Instructor, University of Louisville

Board Certification

  • 2011: Medical Oncology
  • 2007: Internal Medicine

Honors & Awards

  • 2013: Rebecca Wood Service Award, New Light Breast Cancer Support Group
  • 2010: Member of the Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Team awarded accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC)
  • 2007: PepsiAmericas Young Faculty Investigator Award Research, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
  • 2006: The Roger Herzig Junior Faculty Research Prize (1st Place), University of Louisville James Graham Brown Cancer Center Annual Retreat
  • 2005: ASCO Foundation Young Investigator Award, American Society of Clinical Oncology

Editorial Responsibilities

  • 2017: Ad Hoc Reviewer, Journal of Palliative Care
  • 2016: Ad Hoc Reviewer, Disparities & Disease

National Scientific Panels

  • present-2021: SIO Wellness Wednesday Task Force
  • present-2021: SIO Acupuncture Task Force
  • present-2020: SIO Health Equity & Inclusion Task Force
  • 2020-2018: Research Committee, Society of Integrative Oncology
  • 2021-2013: NCCN Cancer-Related Fatigue Guidelines Committee

Professional Societies & Organizations

  • present-2017: American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
  • present-2012: Society for Integrative Oncology
  • present-2001: American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • 2019-2001: American Society of Hematology