Dr. Lorraine Tafra is a nationally recognized surgical oncologist and a pioneer in advancing patient-centered breast care. She founded the Rebecca Fortney Breast Center in Annapolis, Maryland—growing it from a single nurse in a cubicle into one of the largest and most comprehensive breast programs in the state.

Over her career, Dr. Tafra has been a leader in shaping modern breast care systems. She co-founded the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) in partnership with the American College of Surgeons and served as President of the American Society of Breast Surgeons early in her career. She has trained more than 30 fellows and mentored numerous programs across the country.

Her work spans clinical care, research, and system design—leading multicenter trials, securing research funding, and building high-performing, multidisciplinary teams. Through Breast Care Architects, she now partners with organizations nationally and internationally to develop innovative, patient-centered breast care programs.​

She is a member of the American Surgical Association and has held leadership roles across multiple national organizations, contributing to the development of standards that have shaped breast care delivery nationwide.