Dr. Kauffmann received her undergraduate degree from the University of California in Los Angeles, CA and earned her M.D., M.P.H. degrees from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN. She completed her Residency in General Surgery from at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN in addition to a Fellowship in Complex Surgical Oncology at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, CA. She is board certified through the American Board of Surgery–General Surgery and she is a member of several academic organizations including the Surgical Outcomes Club, American Association of Breast Surgeons, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Society of Surgical Oncology, Association for Academic Surgery, Association of Women Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Kauffmann's primary clinical interests are in breast cancer and melanoma. Her research focuses include disparities in cancer care and outcomes, public health interventions targeting early detection of malignancy, international medicine and cancer care.