Deborah Schrag is elected as a member of the National Academy of Medicine

Deborah Schrag, GI Medical Oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, was recently elected as a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

Deborah Schrag, MD, is a Gastrointestinal Medical Oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and holds the position of Chair of the Department of Medicine, as well as the George J. Bosl Chair at the same institution. She specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, with a focus on tumors of the lower GI tract, including rectal, colon, and anal cancer.

Dr. Schrag is also a Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and serves as an Associate Editor for JAMA. Previously, she was a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Chief of the Division of Population Sciences at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Education

Dr. Deborah Schrag earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) from Harvard University School of Public Health and her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and went on to pursue a fellowship in Medical Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Research

Dr. Schrag is a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancer and a population scientist/health services researcher. Her work aims to enhance cancer care delivery through studies utilizing big data and the development and testing of clinical trial innovations. She focuses on defining, measuring, and tracking the quality and effectiveness of cancer care to reduce mortality and suffering from the disease.

With over 20 years of experience in caring for patients with cancer, Dr. Schrag has participated in key clinical trials that have significantly improved patient outcomes, enabling individuals not only to live longer but also to enhance their quality of life. Her research has received funding from organizations such as the NIH, NCI, AHRQ, CMS, PCORI, and the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology.

Dr. Deborah Schrag is recognized for her research comparing the efficacy of treatments across various cancer types. She has investigated how the timing of surgery influences outcomes for women with BRCA gene mutations. Additionally, she led a clinical trial that assessed the necessity of radiation therapy for patients with rectal cancer.

Additionally, Dr. Schrag has experience mentoring students and faculty in improving cancer care and collaborating with dedicated teams of scientists, clinicians, healthcare leaders, and patients.

Awards and Honors

• Member, National Academy of Medicine (2024)
• Castle Connolly: Exceptional Women in Medicine (2024)
• Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctor (2024)
• Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly (2023)
• ASCO-American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Award (2023)
• Giant of Cancer Care, Prevention/Genetics, OncLive (2023)
• Exceptional Women in Medicine Award, Castle Connolly (2023)
• Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctors (2023)
• Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (2013)
• Member of the National Cancer Policy Forum
• Associate Editor, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
• Boston Magazine: Top Doctors (2016-2021)
• Exceptional Women in Medicine (2019-2020)
• Association of American Physicians (AAP): Elected member (2016)
• Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology: Richard L. Schilsky Achievement Award (2016)
• Castle Connolly: Regional Top Doctor (2013-present)

Interviews

Deborah Schrag, MD, MPH, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Multidisciplinary Approach for Rectal Cancer – Discussion with Dr. Deb Schrag and Dr. Krishan Jethwa – Oncology Brothers

Dr. Schrag on Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Luis Diaz, Head of the Division of Solid Tumor Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, shared a post on LinkedIn, congratulating her:

“Huge congratulations to Deb Schrag for election to the National Academy of Medicine!

Her pioneering efforts in developing, validating, and disseminating methods for patient-reported outcomes have significantly advanced the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of cancer research.

Additionally, her leadership in conducting practice-changing studies in colorectal cancer showcases her dedication and impact in the field.”

National Academy of Medicine Elects 100 New Members

About the National Academy of Medicine

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM), previously known as the Institute of Medicine (IoM) until its rebranding in 2015, is a prominent nonprofit, non-governmental organization in the United States. It operates as one of the three academies under the umbrella of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Established in 1970, the NAM was created to provide expert advice on health, medical care, and biomedical science issues. The organization is composed of a diverse group of members elected for their distinguished contributions to medicine and health. Currently, Dr. Victor J. Dzau serves as its president, having held this position since July 2014.

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