Vanessa A. Kennedy, M.D.
Clinical Interests
Dr. Kennedy provides specialized surgical care and chemotherapy services to women with
gynecologic malignancies and complicated benign gynecologic conditions. She performs
procedures through a variety of approaches, minimally invasive surgery using laparoscopic and
robotic techniques.
Dr. Kennedy believes strongly in treating the patient as a whole and incorporating patients and
their loved ones into the decision making process. She is passionate about maximizing quality of
life for her patients and supporting them in their transitions between the various phases of
treatment, from diagnosis to surgery and active treatment and into survivorship and whatever lies
ahead.
In addition to providing surgery, chemotherapy and surveillance for cancer patients, Dr. Kennedy
also has a special interest in sexual health concerns in women and girls with cancer, and is working
to develop a specialized clinic to address these concerns.
Research/Academic Interests
Dr. Kennedy’s research interests include assessing patient and provider understanding of the
potential sexual implications of cancer diagnosis and treatment, improving education and resources
for those caring for women with cancer, and providing sexual health counseling and support for
female cancer patients.
Title
Specialty
Department
Division
Center/Program Affiliation
Address/Phone
Assistant Professor
Gynecology Oncology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Gynecologic Oncology
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Gynocology Oncology Clinic, 4501 X Street 2nd Floor
sacramento, CA 95817
Phone: 916-734-5959
Additional Phone
Department Referral Phone: 800-362-5566
Physician Referrals: 800-4-UCDAVIS (800-482-3284)
Education
M.D., Sandford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls SD 2007
B.A., Augustana College, Souix Falls SD 2003
Vanessa A. Kennedy, M.D.
Residency
Fellowships
Board Certifications
Professional Memberships
Obstetrics & Gynecology, Loyola Medical Center, Maywood IL 2007-2011
Gynecologic Oncology, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento CA 2011-2014
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2012
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Scientific Network on Female Sexual Health and Cancer
Society for Gynecological Oncologists
Honors and Awards
Special Resident in Minimally Invasive Gynecology, AAGL, 2011
Endocrine Society Medical Student Achievement Award, Sanford School of Medicine of the
University of South Dakota, 2007
Select Recent Publications
Lindau ST, Abramsohn EM, Baron SR, Florendo J, Haefner HK, Jhingran A, Kennedy V, Krane MK,
Kushner DM, McComb J, Merritt DF, Park JE, Siston A, Straub M, Streicher L. Physical
examination of the female cancer patient with sexual concerns: What oncologists and patients
should expect from consultation with a specialist. CA Cancer J Clin. 2016 Jan 19. [Epub ahead of
print]
Kennedy VA, Leiserowitz GS. Preserving sexual function in women and girls with cancer:
survivorship is about more than just surviving. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Aug;213(2):119-20.
Kennedy V, Abramsohn E, Makelarski J, Barber R, Wroblewski K, Tenney M, Lee NK, Yamada SD,
Lindau ST. Can you ask? We just did! Assessing sexual function and concerns in patients
presenting for initial gynecologic oncology consultation. Gynecol Oncol. 2015 Apr;137(1):119-24.
Graziano S, Murphy D, Braginsky L, Horwitz J, Kennedy V, Burkett D, Kenton K. Assessment of
bowel function in the peripartum period. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2014 Jan;289(1):23-7.
Burkett D, Horwitz J, Kennedy V, Murphy D, Graziano S, Kenton K. Assessing current trends in
resident hysterectomy training. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2011 Sep;17(5):210-4.
Vanessa A. Kennedy, M.D.
Eyster KM, Klinkova O, Kennedy V, Hansen KA. Whole genome deoxyribonucleic acid microarray
analysis of gene expression in ectopic versus eutopic endometrium. Fertil Steril. 2007 Dec;88(6):
1505-33.
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