Mesothelioma Specialists
Because many forms of cancer exist and mesothelioma is a unique and rare disease, if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we believe it is important to seek out a specialist in the field as they will be able to provide the highest quality of care and the most current treatment options available. What follows is a list of the nation’s top physicians, surgeons and oncologists specializing in the treatment of mesothelioma.
NICHOLAS J. VOGELZANG, M.D.
NICHOLAS J. VOGELZANG, M.D
Chair and Medical Director
Developmental Therapeutics and Co-Chair GU Committee US Oncology Research
c/o Comprehensive Cancer Centers of NV
3730 S. Eastern Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89169
Office: 888.680.6376
Email: nicholas.vogelzang@usoncology.com
Dr. Vogelzang, father of attorney Nicholas Vogelzang, first became interested in mesothelioma while working in Minnesota when he cared for two sisters with the disease and published a paper on the geographic distribution of the disease in a state with limited asbestos exposure. Building on that interest, he saw many mesothelioma patients at the University of Chicago and began to lead the mesothelioma research programs of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB), a national cancer research organization . For over 15 years, his leadership resulted in more than 20 papers on various chemotherapy regimens and the CALGB prognostic system for meso.
At the University of Chicago he teamed up with radiologists to develop new CT techniques for measuring and tracking the responses of mesothelioma to chemotherapy. In 1998 he was asked by Eli Lilly Inc. to consult on a new drug pemetrexed (Alimta) which had shown promise in treating mesothelioma in an early European study. This led to his leadership on the largest mesothelioma phase III trial ever conducted which compared the chemotherapy agent cisplatin to cisplatin plus pemetrexed (Alimta). That trial, published in 2003 -showed that the 2 drug regimen improved the survival and quality of life of mesothelioma patients. That regimen is now the standard treatment for mesothelioma patients world wide.
Dr Vogelzang continues to be actively involved in mesothelioma patient care and research. He is the current Chairman of the Board of the Mesothelioma Foundation.
In 2009 he joined Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada as a practicing medical oncologist. Dr. Vogelzang has published over 100 articles on mesothelioma, edited a book and has spoken hundreds of times throughout the world to push toward the eradication of mesothelioma. He has brought that fight and determination with him to Nevada. Patients can schedule appointments with him at his office in Las Vegas at 702-952-3400.
HEDY LEE KINDLER, M.D.
Director, Mesothelioma Program, University of Chicago Medical Center
Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center
Medical Director, Gastrointestinal Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center
University of Chicago Medical Center
5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 2115
Chicago, IL 60637
Office: (773) 702-0360
Email: hkindler@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
Dr. Kindler is a cancer specialist dedicated to the treatment of mesothelioma. At the University of Chicago Medical Center, Dr. Kindler serves as Director of the Mesothelioma Program, Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Director of Gastrointestinal Oncology. In addition to he positions at the University, Dr. Kindler serves as the Chair Mesothelioma Program of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), The International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG), The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF). She is the author of nearly 50 scientific articles, is a reviewer for an assortment of journals and is the author of several book chapters
Dr. Kindler also studies the newest treatments for cancer, which include drug therapies and clinical trials and regularly speaks at conferences and forums worldwide.
DAVID J. SUGARBAKER, M.D.
Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
Office: (617) 732-6824
E-mail: dsugarbaker@partners.org
Dr. Sugarbaker received his M.D. from Cornell University Medical College in 1979, and completed his postgraduate training in surgery in 1985 at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, now Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Dr. Sugarbaker recieved additional training in thoracic surgery at Toronto General Hospital and received accreditation in 1987. In 1988, he joined the staff of BWH, where he currently serves as chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Sugarbaker is board certified in general surgery and thoracic surgery.
Dr. Sugarbaker’s clinical and laboratory research on malignant pleural mesothelioma has played a crucial role in the contemporary treatment of the disease. Dr. Sugarbaker’s study of a multimodal treatment, which is based on a combination of extrapleural pneumonectomy, chemotherapy and radiation has become a standard treatment approach. In addition, Dr. Sugarbaker has been involved in developing several instrumental programs at BWH. These programs include; The Division of Thoracic Surgery, The Brigham Lung Transplant Program, The Thoracic Oncology Program and The Lung Volume Reduction Program.
STEVEN H. DIKMAN, M.D.
Associate Professor, Pathology, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
Specialties: Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology, Pediatric Pathology
Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057
New York, NY 10029
Office: (212) 241-9159
Email: steven.dikman@mtsinai.org
Dr. Dikman received his M.D. from the State University of New York, (SUNY) Health Sciences Center at Brooklyn Downstate College of Medicine 1966 and completed his fellowship and residency at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM). Dr. Dikman then went on to complete his residency in Pathology at Mt. Sinai Hospital and his residency in Internal Medicine at Kings County Hospital Center.
Mt. Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM), is widely regarded among the world’s top centers for scientific and medical training. Mt. Sinai’s reputation has been built upon its dedication to compassionate patient care and continuing scientific research through a large number of clinical trials.
HARVEY I. PASS, M.D.
Director, Division of Thoracic Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center
Chief, Thoracic Oncology, New York Unversity Langone Medical Center
Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board, Mesothelioma Applied Research Fund (MARF)
New York University Medical Center
530 First Avenue, Suite 9V
New York, New York 10016
Office: (212) 731-5414
Email: Harvey.pass@med.nyu.edu
Dr. Harvey I. Pass received his M.D. from Duke University Medical School in 1973 and completed his Surgical residency at Duke in 1975. Dr. Pass acted as Chief Surgeon at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Division of Surgery, from 1977-1980. He then went on act as Chief Resident while completing his Senior Residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Dr. Pass completed his 3-year Senior Fellowship in the Thoracic Oncology Surgical Branch of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). He was appointed Head of Thoracic Oncology for the National Cancer Institute in 1986 and, in 1991 was awarded the National Institutes of Health’s prestigious Directors Award for his contributions to thoracic oncology. In 1996, Dr. Pass began creating the thoracic oncology program at Karmanos Cancer Institute of Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and was awarded Detroit’s Top Doctors award in both 2004 and 2005. In 1998 Dr. Pass helped found the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF).
In 2005, Dr. Pass joined The New York University School of Medicine, Division of Thoracic Surgery as it’s first Director. Today, Dr. Pass serves as a member of the Lung Cancer Alliance Board and acts as Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. In addition, Dr. Pass has been awarded Castle Connolly’s America’s Top Doctors award for the last five years. For additional information on Dr. Pass, as well as information on New York University’s Langone Medical Center please visit www.med.nyu.edu/clinicians/passh01.html
EDWIN C. HOLSTEIN, M.S., M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
Internal Medicine, Occupational Medicine
Environmental Health Associates
20 Park Plaza, Suite 628
Boston, MA 02116
Office: (617) 357-4901
For additional information and resources for mesothelioma victims and their families, please visit our patients & family page.