Ida Fox, MD, Marissa Tenenbaum, MD, Maria B. Majella Doyle, MD, MBA, Julie Margenthaler, MD, and Susan Mackinnon, MD.
Five surgeons from the Department of Surgery at WashU Medicine have been recognized among Castle Connolly’s 2026 Exceptional Women in Medicine® , which recognizes women physicians who demonstrate outstanding leadership, expertise and dedication in their respective fields.
This annual recognition highlights women who have contributed to the advancement of health care through clinical care, research, education, community service and leadership. Castle Connolly’s selection process builds on its Top Doctors distinction and considers additional accomplishments, including research and academic contributions, volunteer work, training at leading institutions and innovations within a physician’s specialty. The 2026 list recognizes more than 8,000 physicians nationwide.
The Department of Surgery congratulates Ida Fox, MD; Susan Mackinnon, MD; Marissa Tenenbaum, MD; Julie Margenthaler, MD; and Maria B. Majella Doyle, MD, MBA, on this national recognition.
Representing the Divisions of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Surgical Oncology and Transplant Surgery, these women exemplify the criteria of Castle Connolly’s Exceptional Women in Medicine program through their contributions to surgical care, research and medical education.
Ida Fox, MD
A professor of surgery in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and program director of the Hand Surgery Fellowship, Fox is nationally and internationally recognized for her work restoring upper-extremity function for people with cervical spinal cord injuries. Her expertise includes nerve and tendon transfer in this setting.
Fox is also recognized for her patient-focused approach and leadership in advancing care for patients with unique reconstructive needs. In 2026, she received the WashU Medicine Dean’s Impact Award and was selected to serve as president of the American Society for Peripheral Nerve.
Marissa Tenenbaum, MD
A professor of surgery in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and program director of the Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship, Tenenbaum is a nationally recognized aesthetic plastic surgeon specializing in facial rejuvenation, aesthetic breast surgery and body-contouring procedures. She completed both general surgery and plastic surgery training at WashU Medicine.
In addition to her clinical practice, she plays an active role in educating residents and fellows and advancing the field of aesthetic plastic surgery through teaching, research and national leadership.
Maria B. Majella Doyle, MD, MBA
The Mid-America Transplant/Department of Surgery Distinguished Endowed Chair in Abdominal Transplantation, executive vice chair of the Department of Surgery, director of Clinical Faculty Developement and director of the Liver Transplant Program at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
A nationally recognized leader in transplant and hepatobiliary surgery, Doyle specializes in adult and pediatric transplantation, liver transplantation, hepatobiliary surgery and living-donor transplantation. Through her clinical, research and leadership contributions, she has helped advance transplant care while expanding access to life-saving treatment for patients with complex liver and biliary diseases.
Julie Margenthaler, MD
A professor of surgery in the Division of Surgical Oncology, director of Breast Surgical Services at Siteman Cancer Center, Endowed Chair for Surgical Excellence in Breast Cancer and program director of the Breast Oncology Fellowship, Margenthaler specializes in breast cancer treatment and surgical oncology. Her expertise includes breast biopsy, lumpectomy, mastectomy and high-risk breast disease.
Her research has helped advance less-invasive approaches to breast cancer surgery, including research demonstrating the safety and accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy, helping reduce the need for more extensive lymph node surgery in appropriate patients.
Susan Mackinnon, MD
The Minot Packer Fryer Professor of Plastic Surgery, Mackinnon is a pioneering surgeon and internationally recognized expert in nerve and nerve transfer surgery.
Her groundbreaking contributions have helped transform the field of nerve surgery, including pioneering advances in nerve transfer and nerve transplant procedures that have improved treatment options for patients with complex nerve injuries. She is also widely recognized for her contributions to research, education and mentorship in peripheral nerve surgery.
Together, Fox, Mackinnon, Tenenbaum, Margenthaler and Doyle exemplify the excellence in patient care, research, education and leadership recognized by Castle Connolly’s Exceptional Women in Medicine distinction. Their accomplishments reflect the Department of Surgery’s ongoing commitment to advancing surgical innovation and training the next generation of surgeon leaders.