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Russell S. Berman, M.D., FACS

Surgery

Locations and Appointments

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Personal Statement

Providing care to my patients is the greatest honor of my professional life.  As a surgical oncologist, I am trained not only in cancer surgery, but also in the aspects of care that are more specific to someone with a malignant or pre-malignant condition.  To me this means helping my patients (and their significant others) understand the condition for which they seek my care (no matter how complex or unusual it may be), interpret the information that we have, and recognize why more tests may need to be done. My team and I will work so that our patient fully understands the options available to them and the timing of their options. We will guide them in their decision-making. When the treatment involves surgery, I technically perform the surgery and lead the operative team if it involves more than one specialty.  We will help you through the recovery period and personalize short-term and (when appropriate) long-term follow-up. For every patient this process is unique. Of course, I count on a team of talented and dedicated professionals to help accomplish this. To me, however, there is no other way to care for someone.

The process I have described above explains my patient-facing approach to care. The care of each patient, however, is optimized utilizing the expert multidisciplinary care of the WCM Meyer Cancer Center.  When appropriate, my patients may also be evaluated by a medical or radiation oncologist (either prior to or after a surgical procedure).  Other disciplines such a dermatology, gastroenterology, genetic counselors may be necessary as well. The patient’s case will be presented and evaluated by a tumor board which consists of experts in all necessary disciplines (pathology, radiology, surgical, medical and radiation oncology). We will then review the evidence-based recommendations with the patient. Being diagnosed with cancer or even the possibility of having cancer can be frightening, disruptive and overwhelming.  We are here for you and with you every step of the way.

 

Biographical Info

Russell S. Berman MD, Professor of Surgery at Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ, is a Surgical Oncologist who specializes in the treatment of patients with melanoma, non-melanoma cutaneous cancers, and sarcomas (soft tissue, retroperitoneal, and pelvic). He sees patients at both the Manhattan Upper East Side Campus as well as at NYP Brooklyn Campus. Administratively, Dr. Berman is the Associate Director for Clinical Education and the Associate Director for Surgical Oncology Network Integration for the Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå°æ Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center.  

A graduate of NYU Grossman School of Medicine, he performed his surgical training at NYU and Bellevue Hospitals.  He completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a Surgical Oncology Fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he also dedicated research time to investigating programmed cell death resistance during cancer progression. After training, Dr. Berman was recruited back to NYU. At NYU Dr. Berman was a tenured Professor of Surgery and served as Vice Chair for Surgical Education and Faculty Affairs, Chief of Surgical Oncology, and the long-standing Director of the Surgery Residency Program. A recipient of numerous teaching and graduate medical education awards, Dr. Berman has now been recruited to WCM to continue his passion for patient care, medical education (for students, trainees, and practicing clinicians) and growing multidisciplinary oncologic care and research programs. 

Dr. Berman’s passion for cancer care and education/training extends to the national and international levels as well. At the national level, Dr. Berman recently served as Chair of the Complex General Surgical Oncology Board of the American Board of Surgery, where he was also chaired the American Board of Surgery (ABS) Nominating Committee and Certifying Examination Committee.  He also was elected as Recorder of the ABS Council, having served as a Director and Councilor of the American Board of Surgery. 

Presently, Dr. Berman is President Elect (2025) of the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO), the largest international organization of surgeons focused on care of the cancer patient. At the SSO he has also been held the positions of Vice President, Executive Council Member, Training Committee Chair, and Chair of the Education Council.   Internationally, Dr. Berman is currently serving as the President of the Global Forum on Cancer Surgeons where he has co-authored the standard international curriculum in surgical oncology clinical training and the curriculum for oncologic research training.   These training guidelines are currently being utilized by numerous countries in South America, Asia, and Africa. 

In 2022 Dr. Berman was elected as a member of the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, an honor bestowed upon a select group of surgeons internationally. Additionally, Dr. Berman also serves on the ACGME Review Committee for Surgery, the oversight body for accrediting general surgery and complex general surgical oncology training programs in the United States. As a Melanoma Content Expert for the American College of Surgeons, he has co-authored standard melanoma operative procedure guidelines as well as operative reporting standards.  As an author on over 200 peer-reviewed articles in the scientific literature, Dr. Berman also serves on the Editorial Boards of UpToDate, Surgical Oncology Insight and, the NCI Physicians Data Query. He recently completed terms on the Editorial Board of Annals of Surgical Oncology, as Associate Editor for the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, and as founding Chief Editor for the Complex General Surgical Oncology SCORE Training Portal for fellowship training and education.  

From the research perspective, Dr. Berman focuses on melanoma and surgical education.  In addition to both clinical and translational research studies in melanoma, he has been involved in an active collaboration that investigates the care of solid tumor at safety net hospitals. From the surgical education research perspective, Dr. Berman co-authored the Professionalism in Surgical Training curriculum that became the basis for the national standard. 

Honors and Awards

2006 - 2007 Surgical Attending of the Year Award
2010 National Institute of Health Award of Merit (awarded for authoring and editing National Cancer Institute evidenced-based cancer information summaries for health professionals and the public)
2010 - 2024 Castle Connolly Top Doctors
2010 - 2024 New York Metro Area’s Top Doctors
2013   New York Magazine Best Doctors 2013, 2015-2024
2014   Alpha Omega Alpha Alumni Award
2021  Graduate Medical Educator of the Year Award, NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Board Certifications
American Board of Surgery
Clinical Expertise
Melanoma
Sarcoma
Languages
English
Research
Education 
  • M.D.
    New York University School of Medicine
    1990
  • B.S.
    Sophie Davis Center for Biomedical Education
    1988
Appointments 
  • Attending Surgeon
    NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
  • Professor of Surgery (Pending Appointment at Rank)
    Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University

Relationships and collaborations with for-profit and not-for profit organizations are of vital importance to our faculty because these exchanges of scientific information foster innovation. As experts in their fields, WCM physicians and scientists are sought after by many organizations to consult and educate. WCM and its faculty make this information available to the public, thus creating a transparent environment.

No External Relationships Reported