Valerie Rusch, M.D.

Dr. Valerie Rusch is a thoracic surgeon at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She specializes in treatment and diagnosis of thoracic cancers, including lung, trachea, bronchi, esophageal and pleural cancers. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is one area of expertise, and Dr. Rusch is skilled in both treatment and research. Dr. Rusch has spent more than 25 years working as a thoracic surgeon and was one of the first women to be board certified in this surgical specialty. She is currently the Miner Family Chair in Intrathoracic Cancers and the Vice Chair for Clinical Research in the department of surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

Education and Early Career

Dr. Rusch earned her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Vassar College in 1971 and also attended the Lycee Francais in New York. In 1975, she earned her medical degree from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Rusch completed a residency in general surgery between 1975 and 1980 and a residency in cardiothoracic surgery from 1980 to 1982, both at the University of Washington. She also completed training in thoracic oncology at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Dr. Rusch’s served as a faculty member at the University of Washington until 1989. At that time she left Washington for a position at Memorial Sloan Kettering, a world-renowned cancer research and treatment center in New York.

Current Positions

Dr. Rusch has remained at Memorial Sloan Kettering since her arrival in 1989. Currently, she is the Vice Chair for Clinical Research in the Department of Surgery and the Miner Family Chair in Intrathoracic Cancers. Her roles allow her to lead research and work with patients, particularly those with pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other cancers of the airways, chest wall, mediastinum, and esophagus.

In her work with mesothelioma and other cancer patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dr. Rusch and her colleagues use a multi-disciplinary approach for diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Rusch also believes in a hands-on and personal approach to care, getting to know each patient individually. She and her colleagues use minimally-invasive surgical procedures whenever possible to increase patient comfort and recovery time whenever possible.

Important Mesothelioma Treatment Research

Through her research efforts, Dr. Rusch has contributed significantly to the understanding of mesothelioma and its treatment. One of her most important studies was published in 2001 and was instrumental in proving the success of bimodal treatment for mesothelioma patients. The purpose of the study was to attempt to reduce recurrences of cancer in patients treated surgically.

The patients in the study underwent a radical surgery—either a pleurectomy with decortication or an extrapleural pneumonectomy. The patients then received post-surgery radiation therapy. The findings from the study proved that a combination of treatments was far more effective than using surgery alone. The median survival time of patients was improved and recurrence rates significantly reduced. Memorial Sloan Kettering performs more than 3,000 thoracic surgeries every year, and Dr. Rusch performs over 350 of those.

Other Areas of Research

In addition to her contributions to the multimodal treatment of pleural mesothelioma, Dr. Rusch has led, conducted, and contributed to a number of other important research projects, clinical trials, and publications. One of her research areas is early detection of cancers like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is particularly difficult to diagnose, so finding early screening methods is crucial for distinguishing it from lung cancer. She also works on genetic research, investigating the genetic components of lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Organizations, Leadership, and Honors

In addition to her roles at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dr. Rusch is also a member of several professional organizations. She is the Chair of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, the Chair of the American Joint Commission on Cancer’s Lung and Esophagus Task Force, and the Chair of the Mesothelioma Subcommittee of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. She is also a Regent for the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Rusch is known internationally as a thoracic surgery and oncology expert. She is  particularly known for treatment and diagnosis of mesothelioma as well as research into this terrible cancer. Patients who have the good fortune to work with Dr. Rusch, will find a compassionate, knowledgeable and expert doctor who believes in excellent patient care.