Meet Dr. Colleen App, MD, FACS, CGRA
Colleen App, MD, FACS, CGRA
Board-Certified Breast Surgeon and Medical Director
Dr. Colleen App, MD, FACS, CGRA, is a highly respected, board-certified breast surgeon and the Medical Director of The Breast Health & Wellness Center. A lifelong Michigan resident, she has dedicated her career to providing exceptional, patient-centered breast care with a focus on early detection, advanced imaging, and individualized treatment.
Following medical school, Dr. App was accepted into the General Surgery Residency Program at St. John Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan, under the leadership of Dr. Larry Lloyd, MD, FACS. This rigorous training instilled in her a lifelong commitment to excellence. In 2002, she moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, joining her husband, Dr. Michael J. App, and father-in-law, Dr. Peter B. App, in serving the Grand Rapids community with unparalleled healthcare.
Dr. App’s journey in medicine began with academic and athletic excellence. She graduated Valedictorian from Oxford High School before attending Hillsdale College, where she earned summa cum laude honors while excelling as a captain of the basketball team and an Academic All-American. She continued her medical education at Wayne State University School of Medicine, earning her medical degree in 1993.Dr. App began her career as a General and Trauma Surgeon, but in 2006, she found her true calling in breast health and oncology. Inspired by a keynote address from world-renowned breast surgeon Professor Umberto Veronesi of Milan, Italy, she committed to advancing care for patients with benign and malignant breast diseases. Under the mentorship of Dr. John C. Rienstra, MD, FACS, one of Grand Rapids' leading breast surgeons, she dedicated 100% of her surgical practice to breast care.
In 2008, Dr. App opened the Advanced Breast Care Center of West Michigan under the Michigan Medical Physicians Corporation, earning recognition from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. She became the 172nd breast surgeon in the nation to be certified in Breast Ultrasound by the American Society of Breast Surgeons, a certification acknowledged by the American College of Radiology. Today, she remains one of only six physicians in Michigan to hold this prestigious credential.
A Passion for Prevention and Patient-Centered Care
Dr. App’s practice is built on a philosophy of personalized, compassionate care—offering patients a one-stop center for prevention, diagnostics, treatment, and surgery. She is deeply committed to breast cancer prevention, identifying women at increased risk, and developing customized screening and surveillance programs. Her approach ensures that patients receive expert, coordinated care without the delays and impersonal treatment often found in large hospital systems.
Professional Leadership & Teaching
A leader in the field, Dr. App actively participates in national organizations dedicated to advancing breast health, including:
- American College of Surgeons
- American Society of Breast Surgeons
- American Society of Breast Disease
- National Consortium of Breast Centers
- The Mastery of Breast Surgery
- Society for Advanced Women’s Imaging
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. App serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Surgery at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. As a faculty member at the Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Council, she is passionate about training the next generation of physicians. She remains actively involved in research and clinical trials, ensuring that her patients receive the most advanced, evidence-based care available.
A Lifelong Commitment to Breast Health
Dr. App’s expertise, dedication, and compassionate approach set her apart. At The Breast Health & Wellness Center, she provides cutting-edge care in a warm, personalized environment—where patients are seen as individuals, not just numbers. Whether you need routine screening, advanced diagnostics, or treatment, Dr. App is by your side every step of the way.
