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Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD

Accepting New Patients
(Dr. Marissa Howard-McNatt, M.D.)
Specializes in: General Surgery and Surgical Oncology (Cancer Surgery)
Harvard Medical School (1995)
Professional interests include: genetic testing, tumor, breast issues, and more.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Surgical Oncology - Cancer Center... 4th Floor
Winston-Salem, NC 27157

Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD is a general surgeon in Clemmons, NC specializing in general surgery and surgical oncology (cancer surgery). She graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1995 and has 31 years of experience. Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD is affiliated with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

View Doctor's Full Profile (336) 716-4276

Office Locations

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

2341 Lewisville - Clemmons Road
Clemmons, NC 27012
(336) 713-3200
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Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

? Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
(336) 716-9253
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Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Surgical Oncology - Cancer Center... 4th Floor
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
(336) 716-4276
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Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist The Breast Care Center? Medical C... 4th Floor
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
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Organization:atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist General Surgery Ccc
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
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Some issues Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD can help you with:

Mastectomy (Breast Removal Surgery)

Mastectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the breasts, most frequently associated with breast cancer treatment (for both male and female breast cancer patients). Breast cancer patients who receive a mastectomy typically have undergone other treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and less invasive breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy). If these treatments are unsuccessful, oncologists may eventually prescribe a mastectomy. Other conditions that may prompt a mastectomy include:

  • Two or more cancerous regions in the same breast
  • Inability to receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy
  • High likelihood of recurring breast cancer
  • Large tumor that is bigger than two inches across
  • Pregnancy that prohibits radiation therapy
  • Preexisting conditions like lupus or scleroderma

Notably, some patients may elect to undergo mastectomy without a breast cancer diagnosis. Preventative (prophylactic) mastectomy is performed on those with a high risk of breast cancer, such as having a family history of the disease or carrying the breast cancer BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Preventative mastectomy substantially reduces one's chances of developing breast cancer in the future, but it cannot wholly prevent it.

Surgical oncologists perform several types of mastectomies, depending upon the severity of the breast cancer (including factors such as its location and spread), as well as the patients' own aesthetic and personal choices. The six main types of mastectomy include:

  • Total mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist removes an entire breast, including parts like the pectoral chest muscle, skin, and nipple.
  • Radical mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist removes the entire breast, underarm lymph nodes, pectoral chest muscles, and outer skin and nipple. One of the most invasive forms of mastectomy, radical mastectomy is infrequently performed.
  • Modified radical mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist completes a total mastectomy and also removes the underarm lymph nodes. This procedure is slightly less invasive than radical mastectomy.
  • Skin-sparing mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist removes cancerous breast tissue and nipple, but leaves most of breast skin. This method is used in conjunction with breast reconstruction, as implants can be added below the skin. Skin-sparing mastectomy often requires a treatment team with a surgical oncologist and a plastic surgeon experienced in breast procedures.
  • Nipple-sparing mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist removes cancerous breast tissue and leaves the nipple and most of the breast skin. This method is only available to patients in the early stages of breast cancer. Similar to skin-sparing mastectomy, this procedure is frequently performed with breast reconstruction.

Any of these procedures can be done on both breasts, in which case the procedure would be known as a double mastectomy. For example, a surgical oncologist might perform a total or nipple-sparing mastectomy on both breasts. Double mastectomies are often used as a preventive surgery for those who are at risk of developing breast cancer later on in life.

Patients have one or two days of hospital stay before returning home from their mastectomy procedures. Full recovery can take several months, but some patients find they are able to resume normal activity within one month of their mastectomy. Patients are advised to limit arm and chest movements whenever possible.

After surgery, patients must also adjust to changes in their appearance. While some patients choose to receive breast reconstruction, other patients may decide to wear prosthetic breasts or will simply embrace their new chest.

Mastectomies permit patients to conquer cancer and lead healthy, thriving lives as breast cancer survivors.

In The News 

“Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist breast surgeon Dr. Marissa Howard-McNatt said the sisters' case underscores the immediate need for early screening protocols among women with family history or...”—"Two sisters in their 20s are given cancer diagnoses at the same time", Daily Mail Online, November 2025
“"Regardless of subtype it's about early detection," said Dr. Marissa Howard-McNatt, director of the Breast Care Center at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in North Carolina.”—"Black women are more likely than white women to die of all types of breast cancer", NBC News, September 2024
“"I inform [patients] very plainly that this isn't likely to improve survival, and women still want to have the breast removed," said Dr. Marissa Howard-McNatt, a surgical oncologist at Wake Forest...”—"Some Women Undergo Unnecessary Double Mastectomies", NBC News, September 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD treated as a general surgeon in Clemmons, NC during 2012 were excision, open surgery, diagnostic procedures and lymph node procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures 39
cancer surgery 13
diagnostic procedures 52
doctor visit 199
excision 65
lymph node procedures 51
open surgery 52

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD treated as a general surgeon in Clemmons, NC during 2013 were excision, open surgery, diagnostic procedures and breast procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures 47
cancer surgery 11
diagnostic procedures 57
doctor visit 251
excision 68
lymph node procedures 42
open surgery 57

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD.

Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 128
Black 43
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 83
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 48

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD in 2013

Hypertension 63
High Cholesterol 46
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 23
Depression 34
Chronic Kidney Disease 18
Asthma 11
Osteoperosis 11
Atrial Fibrilation 8
Heart Failure 12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 28
Dementia 0
Cancer 71

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD treated as a general surgeon in Clemmons, NC during 2014 were lymph node procedures, open surgery, diagnostic procedures and excision.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures 11
diagnostic procedures 27
doctor visit 216
excision 27
lymph node procedures 31
open surgery 27

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD.

Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 117
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 74
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 48

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD in 2014

Hypertension 64
High Cholesterol 49
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 31
Depression 33
Chronic Kidney Disease 22
Asthma 12
Osteoperosis 11
Atrial Fibrilation 8
Heart Failure 14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 18
Diabetes 33
Dementia 0
Cancer 63

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD treated as a general surgeon in Clemmons, NC during 2015 were excision, lymph node procedures, open surgery and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures 32
cancer surgery 15
diagnostic procedures 44
doctor visit 267
excision 59
lymph node procedures 54
open surgery 44

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD.

Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 290
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 168
From 75 to 84 92
85 and over 22
Less than 65 98

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD in 2015

Hypertension 69
High Cholesterol 53
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 24
Depression 31
Chronic Kidney Disease 23
Asthma 13
Osteoperosis 17
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11
Diabetes 29
Dementia 0
Cancer 67

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD treated as a general surgeon in Clemmons, NC during 2016 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures 50
cancer surgery 50
diagnostic procedures 34
doctor visit 343
excision 84
hospital care 15
inpatient care 15
lymph node procedures 68
open surgery 34

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD.

Gender
Male 11
Female 235
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 191
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 125
From 75 to 84 44
85 and over 19
Less than 65 58

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD in 2016

Hypertension 70
High Cholesterol 52
Stroke 5
Ischemic Heart Disease 21
Depression 39
Chronic Kidney Disease 28
Asthma 16
Osteoperosis 16
Atrial Fibrilation 5
Heart Failure 10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 14
Diabetes 27
Dementia 5
Cancer 72

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD treated as a general surgeon in Clemmons, NC during 2017 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures 26
cancer surgery 26
diagnostic procedures 24
doctor visit 307
excision 50
lymph node procedures 47
open surgery 24

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD.

Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 168
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 112
From 75 to 84 45
85 and over 17
Less than 65 46

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD in 2017

Hypertension 74
High Cholesterol 55
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 25
Depression 32
Chronic Kidney Disease 28
Asthma 10
Osteoperosis 20
Atrial Fibrilation 8
Heart Failure 15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 15
Diabetes 30
Dementia 6
Cancer 75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD treated as a general surgeon in Clemmons, NC during 2018 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures 21
cancer surgery 21
diagnostic procedures 19
doctor visit 248
excision 40
lymph node procedures 37
open surgery 19

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD.

Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 162
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 107
From 75 to 84 53
85 and over 15
Less than 65 31

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD in 2018

Hypertension 71
High Cholesterol 65
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 20
Depression 31
Chronic Kidney Disease 26
Asthma 11
Osteoperosis 20
Atrial Fibrilation 5
Heart Failure 13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 13
Diabetes 33
Dementia 9
Cancer 73

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD treated as a general surgeon in Clemmons, NC during 2019 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures 30
cancer surgery 30
diagnostic procedures 23
doctor visit 269
excision 53
lymph node procedures 46
open surgery 23

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD.

Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 163
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 120
From 75 to 84 55
85 and over 13
Less than 65 24

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD in 2019

Hypertension 67
High Cholesterol 58
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 26
Depression 26
Chronic Kidney Disease 28
Asthma 10
Osteoperosis 18
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 10
Diabetes 32
Dementia 8
Cancer 69

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD treated as a general surgeon in Clemmons, NC during 2020 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures 31
cancer surgery 31
diagnostic procedures 26
doctor visit 233
excision 57
lymph node procedures 55
open surgery 26

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD.

Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 148
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 113
From 75 to 84 48
85 and over 11
Less than 65 16

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD in 2020

Hypertension 63
High Cholesterol 60
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 16
Depression 29
Chronic Kidney Disease 28
Asthma 9
Osteoperosis 18
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 7
Diabetes 32
Dementia 6
Cancer 70

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD treated as a general surgeon in Clemmons, NC during 2021 were lymph node procedures, excision, open surgery and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures 13
cancer surgery 13
diagnostic procedures 18
doctor visit 230
excision 31
lymph node procedures 36
open surgery 18

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD.

Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 150
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 110
From 75 to 84 57
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD in 2021

Hypertension 58
High Cholesterol 51
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 14
Depression 27
Chronic Kidney Disease 25
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 21
Atrial Fibrilation 6
Heart Failure 11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 7
Diabetes 27
Dementia 6
Cancer 68

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD treated as a general surgeon in Clemmons, NC during 2022 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures 33
cancer surgery 33
diagnostic procedures 21
doctor visit 218
excision 54
lymph node procedures 42
open surgery 21

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD.

Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 154
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 103
From 75 to 84 68
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD in 2022

Hypertension 69
High Cholesterol 68
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 11
Depression 22
Chronic Kidney Disease 22
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 28
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 7
Diabetes 27
Dementia 0
Cancer 75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD treated as a general surgeon in Clemmons, NC during 2023 were lymph node procedures, excision, open surgery and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures 11
cancer surgery 11
diagnostic procedures 13
doctor visit 234
excision 24
lymph node procedures 28
open surgery 13

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD.

Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 160
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 99
From 75 to 84 72
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD in 2023

Hypertension 72
High Cholesterol 68
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 12
Depression 23
Chronic Kidney Disease 21
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 25
Atrial Fibrilation 13
Heart Failure 11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 8
Diabetes 26
Dementia 0
Cancer 75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2023

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD treated as a general surgeon in Clemmons, NC were excision, lymph node procedures, open surgery and diagnostic procedures.

breast procedures 28
cancer surgery 23
diagnostic procedures 29
doctor visit 251
excision 51
hospital care 15
inpatient care 15
lymph node procedures 44
open surgery 29

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2023

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD.

Gender
Female 19
Male 0
Ethnicity
Black / African American 3
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 152
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Hispanic 0
Other 0
Age
75 to 84 44
85 and over 8
Less than 65 30
65 to 74 101

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD From 2012 - 2023

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD treated were cancer, hypertension, high cholesterol and depression.

Hypertension 61
High Cholesterol 52
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 18
Depression 27
Chronic Kidney Disease 22
Asthma 7
Osteoporosis 17
Heart Failure 11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 10
Diabetes 27
Atrial Fibrillation 5
Dementia 3
Cancer 64

Education & Training

Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1995. She completed residency at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the American Board of Surgery and has a state license in North Carolina.

Medical School: Harvard Medical School (1995)

Residency: Emory University Affiliated Hospitals (1999)

Board Certification: American Board of Surgery

Licensed In: North Carolina

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 355 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Clemmons, NC. 

4.7
Overall Rating
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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Marissa M. Howard-McNatt, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
Endomagnetics Ltd $348 Magtrace
$348
Tactile Systems Technology Inc $116 ENTRE
$116
Ethicon US, LLC $112 HARMONIC Product Family
$112
Cianna Medical Inc $100 SAVI/SAVI SCOUT
$100
Hologic Sales and Service, LLC $33 trunode
$33
Types of Payments
Food and Beverage $710

Biography

Dr. Marissa Howard-McNatt specializes in general surgery and surgical oncology (cancer surgery) and practices in Clemmons, NC, Winston Salem, NC, and Winston-Salem, NC. Patient reviews placed Dr. Howard-McNatt at an average of 4.5 stars (out of 5). Her areas of clinical interest consist of breast issues, mastectomy (breast removal surgery), and genetic testing. She is a graduate of Harvard Medical School. Her residency was performed at a hospital affiliated with Emory University. Dr. Howard-McNatt (or staff) speaks the following languages: Spanish and French. Dr. Howard-McNatt is professionally affiliated with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Dr. Howard-McNatt welcomes new patients at her office inClemmons, NC as reported by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

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