EDWARD W. BANKS, MD
Surgeon, Kaiser Permanente, San Rafael Medical Center

Edward W. Banks, MD, a Kaiser Permanente surgeon at the San Rafael Medical Center with a special interest in the treatment of breast cancer was recognized by ZBC in 2009 for his many years of dedicated and compassionate care for breast cancer patients.

Dr. Edward Banks has been treating women with breast cancer for nearly 30 years. He has been a steadfast proponent of the team approach to medical diagnosis and treatment, and utilizes all of the resources at his disposal to benefit his patients. More than a decade ago, he created the first breast care coordinator position at the Kaiser San Rafael Medical Center. While only three Kaiser medical facilities had breast care coordinators at the time, today every Kaiser medical center has one.

Dr. Banks was chief of surgery at San Rafael Medical Center for many years. Under his leadership, the surgery department developed a greater sense of compassion and humanity that continues to bear his imprint. Not only is he a superb physician and a highly skilled surgeon, Ed Banks finds a way to connect with each patient. His gentle touch and deep concern conveys to his patients that he cares about them as a whole person.

Dr. Banks is what some call a "doctor's doctor." His fellow surgeons, anesthesiologists, operating room nurses and technicians would want him to be their personal surgeon. To the many patients he has treated over the years, he is the doctor who "walks on water." Women facing a breast cancer diagnosis appreciate the person that Dr. Banks is - the consummate professional and compassionate guide who helps them through a very difficult period of their lives.