Rutgers Cancer Institute Enhances Lung Cancer Focus

New Brunswick, N.J., September 22, 2015 – Aiming to enhance its focus on lung and other cancers of the chest, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey is welcoming Todd Demmy, MD, FACS, FCCP, as its new Chief of Thoracic Oncology and Associate Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Demmy, who is leading Rutgers Cancer Institute’s Thoracic Oncology Program, is an international leader in minimally-invasive thoracic surgery and one of the pioneers of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). An accomplished researcher, his interests include studying the outcome of advanced VATS techniques and the use of regional lung chemotherapies. Demmy was most recently at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, where he served as Clinical Chair of Thoracic Surgery and Professor of Oncology.

“As the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey has a responsibility to recruit the most talented and accomplished professionals. The addition of Dr. Demmy to our team demonstrates our dedication to delivering the highest quality of care for our patients and bringing internationally-recognized cancer researchers to our state,” notes Rutgers Cancer Institute Director Robert S. DiPaola, MD.

Demmy has been recognized internationally for advanced VATS operations including chest wall resections, the first U.S. VATS extrapleural pneumonectomy, and the world’s largest series of thoracoscopic pneumonectomies. VATS is minimally invasive, thus providing for fewer complications and enabling faster recovery. It also provides expanded surgical options for those patients too frail for traditional operations. The procedure also has been found to improve outcomes for those with locally-advanced lung cancer.

“Dr. Demmy’s vast experience will enhance our surgical offerings and further position Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey as a leader in the treatment of thoracic cancers. His research expertise in lung cancer and advanced VATS procedures will result in additional opportunities for patients to receive the latest in cutting-edge therapies,” adds Rutgers Cancer Institute Chief Surgical Officer and Associate Director for Clinical Science Howard L. Kaufman, MD, FACS, who is also a professor of surgery and a professor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

While lung disease has been a major component of his scholarly work, Demmy also maintained a busy clinical practice in foregut surgery by founding the first minimally-invasive esophagectomy program in Buffalo more than 10 years ago. Demmy, who also was appointed Professor in the Department of Surgery and Chief, Section of Thoracic Surgery, within the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, performs many laparoscopic and thoracoscopic operations for benign esophageal diseases like repair of large hiatal hernias.

Leonard Y. Lee, MD, FACS, FACC, FCCP, the James W. Mackenzie Chair in Surgery, professor and interim chair of the Department of Surgery and chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital – the flagship hospital of Rutgers Cancer Institute – says adding Demmy to the faculty shows a continued commitment to excellence. “Widely known for his ground-breaking work in the area of cardiothoracic surgery and internationally recognized for his training videos and educational courses, Dr. Demmy brings a level of expertise that will be beneficial in mentoring the next generation of surgeons. His addition to our team will further solidify Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School as an academic leader in surgical care,” says Dr. Lee.

Demmy received his undergraduate degree at Pennsylvania State University and medical degree from Jefferson Medical College. He completed a general surgery internship at Baylor College of Medicine followed by a residency and research fellowship in cardiothoracic and cardiovascular surgery at Allegheny General Hospital-West Campus, Medical College of Pennsylvania. Prior to his extensive work at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Demmy served as Chief of Thoracic Oncology, Co-Director of Cardiac Transplantation and Associate Professor of Surgery at University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics and Ellis Fischel Cancer Center. He has published more than 130 articles in peer reviewed journals as well as book chapters and presents regularly at national and international professional meetings.