Dr. Valerie Rusch

A graduate of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Valerie Rusch, MD, FACS, currently serves as Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. A member of the Sloan-Kettering staff since 1989, Dr. Rusch received additional training at the University of Washington, where she taught for 6 years, and completed a fellowship at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

Considered to be one of the top female doctors in the field of thoracic surgery, Dr. Rusch maintains a keen interest in research and is currently the Vice Chair for Clinical Research in the Department of Surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. She centers her research efforts on the early diagnosis of thoracic cancers, including mesothelioma, and also studies the genetics of lung cancer and how it relates to how a patient responds to a particular type of treatment. Her research and that of her colleagues has led to the publication of a book entitled “Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma”, for which Rusch served as co-editor. The book was published in 2007 and provides a wealth of information about mesothelioma for those involved in the field of thoracic oncology. In particular, it covers a variety of medical issues including diagnosis, treatment, and information on potential future therapies for mesothelioma, and also profiles the legal issues surrounding asbestos exposure and the development of the disease.

Rusch is the former editor of The Oncologist Magazine and has served as Executive Officer of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group in Chicago. She continues to serve that organization today as a member of the Board of Governors of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Rusch has also chaired the Lung, Esophagus and Thoracic Malignancies Task Force.

As a speaker, Dr. Rusch is in much demand and has appeared at numerous gatherings of thoracic surgeons worldwide, where her topic normally focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma and other types of thoracic cancer.

More Information

Recent New York City Mesothelioma News

  • Effects of post-9/11 Asbestos Exposure May Not Manifest For Several Decades

    Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    The tragic events of September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten, and for the thousands of New York City residents who witnessed it firsthand, the memory is still very vivid. Unfortunately, one of the most important health-related issues stemming from the fall of the Twin Towers may not be on the minds of those who [...]

    Read More

  • NYC Asbestos Alert: 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Still In Limbo

    Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    The 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, a measure that would benefit many people exposed to asbestos and other hazardous materials at Ground Zero, is still awaiting review by President Obama, and also needs polishing from both the House and the Senate. The $11 billion bill aims to provide three decades of health care coverage for [...]

    Read More

  • Cleanup Planned at New Jersey Site

    Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    About ten miles outside of Manhattan, the city of Teterboro, New Jersey is gearing up for a cleanup project at one of the largest contaminated sites in the state. The former Bendix Aviation property located beside the Teterboro Airport will be cleaned up in order to make way for a hotel, office space, and an [...]

    Read More