Mary L. Gemignani, MD, MPH, a renowned breast surgeon who has been treating patients for nearly three decades, has been named chief of the breast surgery division at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center. She is also a member of the Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Dr. Gemignani comes to NYU Langone from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), where she held several leadership positions. She will see patients at Perlmutter Cancer Center—34th Street and is part of its Breast Cancer Center. She has made numerous contributions to the field, including a study of 18F-fluoroestradiol/positron-emission tomography (FES/PET) imaging, a novel technique that aids in imaging estrogen receptor–positive (ER+) breast cancers functionally, and developing standards of care and the use of metrics to assess delivery of quality care for women with breast cancer. She is also recognized as one of the premier educators in surgery, having directed a fellowship program in breast surgery that has produced many of the next generation of leaders in the field.

“Dr. Gemignani is an established leader in breast cancer surgery and one of the most highly regarded educators in the field, and we are honored to have her join the Perlmutter Cancer Center,” said Alec Kimmelman, MD, PhD, the Anita Steckler and Joseph Steckler Chair, Radiation Oncology, in the Department of Radiation Oncology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and the director of the Perlmutter Cancer Center. “Dr. Gemignani will build on the already well-established foundation of world-class clinicians and researchers who provide care and offer clinical trials, using the latest techniques and technology to diagnose and treat all stages and types of breast cancer.”

Dr. Gemignani will also work with other leaders across the institution to continue to standardize the delivery of breast surgical care and access to clinical trials at all NYU Langone locations, including those in Brooklyn and on Long Island. Education and surgical training will remain a focus of hers, having trained multiple fellows throughout her career, building the future of breast surgery.

“This new position will allow me to expand my own research with the resources NYU Langone has, bring my experience to a larger health system, and collaborate with an excellent team of providers to build upon a network that delivers excellent patient outcomes,” said Dr. Gemignani.

“We are excited for Dr. Gemignani to join our department and bring her experience in the clinical, education, and research spaces,” said Robert Montgomery, MD, PhD, the H. Leon Pachter, MD, Professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery, where he is also chair. “She has a proven record of leadership, dedication to providing high-quality clinical care and collaborative research, and a commitment to the education of future leaders in breast surgical oncology. She will be a great addition to our team.”

About Dr. Gemignani

Dr. Gemignani earned her medical degree at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a master of public health in health policy and management at Columbia University. She is dual-trained as a gynecologic oncologist and breast surgeon, having completed fellowship training in both disciplines at MSKCC.

Most recently, she held appointments as professor of surgery at Weill Cornell and attending surgeon of the breast service in the Department of Surgery at MSKCC. Additionally, she served as program director for the Breast Surgery Fellowship and co-director of the Young Women with Breast Cancer Program at MSKCC. Dr. Gemignani was recently inducted into the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, American College of Surgeons.

She is an active member of local, national, and international societies. These include the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology, the American Society of Breast Surgeons, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. She has been a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s Cancer Risk Reduction Panel for many years.

Her research interests focus on patient-reported outcomes, hereditary cancers, and quality of life issues for young women with breast cancer. She has authored and co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles that have been published in top-tier publications, including the Annals of Surgical Oncology, Cancer, JAMA Surgery, and the British Journal of Surgery.

Media Inquiries

Ryan Dziuba
Phone: 646-581-8548
Ryan.Dziuba@NYULangone.org