Estelamari Rodriguez, MD, MPH
Dr. Estelamari Rodriguez is a triple board-certified hematologist, oncologist, and internist at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her clinical interest is in the early detection and treatment of malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer, as well as in developing programs to eradicate disparities in health care. In addition to the care she provides her patients, she is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Miami Medical School, clinical research lead for the thoracic site disease group and the Associate Director for Community Outreach for the facility’s Thoracic Oncology Division.[1]
Sylvester Cancer Center hosts an annual Miami International Mesothelioma Symposium, and Dr. Rodriguez is an integral part of the virtual event. Dr. Rodriguez says that patients seeking treatment at Sylvester come from all over Florida and the world. She notes that many are veterans who were exposed in Navy yards while others were exposed to asbestos in their homes or workplaces. She says, “It’s important for people to recognize the symptoms of mesothelioma, even though it’s rare. We must have a whole team of people that care about doing this well.”[2]
Education and Career
Dr. Rodriguez earned her bachelor of arts degree in Biology and Sociology at Columbia College, Columbia University, and her medical degree at the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate College of Medicine. She completed her internal medicine residency at Columbia University’s New York-Presbyterian Hospital and her medical oncology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where she was named Chief Fellow. Dr. Rodriguez also earned a Master’s degree in Public Health from the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid in Spain.[1]
After completing her education, Dr. Rodriguez spent several years as the Medical Director of Thoracic Oncology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida before taking on her role at the University of Miami Medical Center and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center where she is the clinical research lead for the thoracic site disease group and the Associate Director of Community Outreach.
Research
Dr. Rodriguez’s research focuses on early detection of lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma, as well as addressing health disparities. She recently participated in a noted study titled, “Social Determinants of Health Impact on Survival of Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma” and a report on steps being taken by Sylvester to address health disparities titled, “A multi-level system quality improvement project to reduce disparities in lung cancer screening: The Sylvester Lung Screening Project.”
Professional Memberships
American Society of Hematology
American Society of Clinical Oncology
American Association for Cancer Research
Florida American Society of Clinical Oncology- FLASCO
International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
