Dr. Rebekah White

Rebekah White, MD, is a general surgeon and surgical oncologist who specializes in treating tumors of the pancreas, liver, bile duct, and upper gastrointestinal tract such as the stomach.

Dr. White is part of the gastrointestinal cancer unit at UC San Diego Health's Moores Cancer Center, where she works alongside a multidisciplinary team to provide cancer patients with advanced surgical options that are best suited to their individual needs.

Among the procedures she performs are irreversible electroporation (IRE) for pancreatic cancer; Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy); laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and enucleation; pancreas-preserving ampullary and duodenal tumor resection; minimally invasive liver resection; drainage / debridement for chronic pancreatitis; and gallbladder and bile duct tumor resection.

As a surgical oncologist at an academic medical center, Dr. White instructs medical students, residents and fellows at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Her research focuses on novel tests and therapies for earlier detection and improved treatment of pancreatic cancer. Dr. White has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles, and her work has appeared in journals such as Journal of Clinical Investigation, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Cancer Research, among others. She also frequently speaks at national medical conferences.

Prior to joining UC San Diego Health, Dr. White was an associate professor in the Department of Surgery at Duke University Medical Center, where she cared for patients at Duke Cancer Institute.

She completed a fellowship in surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a residency in general surgery at Duke University School of Medicine, where she also earned her medical degree. Dr. White is board certified in general surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

She is a member of many professional organizations, including the Society of Surgical Oncology, the American Association for Cancer Research, and the American Society for Clinical Oncology.

Dr. White is married and has two sons. Her husband, Mark, is a thoracic surgeon at UC San Diego Health who cares for patients with lung and esophageal cancer. Outside of work, Dr. White enjoys running, cooking, and playing chess with her sons.