General Info

“I wanted to be a physician for as long as I can remember, and my mother's closest friend, who is a nurse, encouraged me. As one of the few female colon and rectal surgeons in the country, I bring a unique perspective that may help some patients, both male and female alike, more openly discuss their symptoms and concerns.” Dr. Dougherty is a native of Ohio and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Microbiology from Miami University in Ohio. She then moved on to the Medical College of Ohio where she completed her degree in medicine. At graduation, Dr. Dougherty was the recipient of the Outstanding Surgical Student award. She remained at the Medical College of Ohio for her general surgical residency. Upon completion of her residency, she was accepted for a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, one of the nation’s finest centers for training in colorectal surgery. Dr. Dougherty joined Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery in 1999. She holds surgical appointments at INOVA Fairfax, INOVA Fair Oaks, INOVA Alexandria, and Reston Medical Center. She is actively engaged in the training of surgery residents at Fairfax Hospital. She remains interested in all aspects of the field of colon and rectal surgery and has rapidly gained the respect and admiration of her physician peers. Dr. Dougherty is continually named one of the area’s “Top Doctors” for colorectal surgeons by a poll conducted by the Washingtonian Magazine. She holds certification from the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Her professional memberships include the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, the Crohn’s and Colitis Association and the Medical Society of Virginia. In addition to her devotion to her patients, Dr. Dougherty is a dedicated wife and mother of two children. Her leisure time is spent with them in a variety of activities.