An associate professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Medical Center, Raja M. Flores, MD, received a B.A. in biochemistry from New York University and a degree in medicine in 1992 from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University. Dr. Flores completed his internships and residency in general surgery at New York's Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital and fellowships at Brigham and Women's University/Dana Farber Cancer Institute, with a concentration in thoracic oncology. In addition, Dr. Flores attended Harvard University's School of Public Health, where he completed the clinical effectiveness program. In 2004, he also received a B.S. in biostatistics (clinical research methods) from Columbia's School of Public Health.

Dr. Flores, who is fluent in both Spanish and Arabic, has also served as Clinical Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Cornell University Medical College in New York and Assistant Professor of Cadiothoracic Surgery at Cornell. His research interests include lung cancer screening, thoracoscopy, VATS lobectomy, intraoperative chemotherapy, extrapleural pneumonectomy for mesothelioma, tracheobronchial resections and esophageal surgery.

Considered an expert in mesothelioma, he has served as principal investigator on a number of clinical trials, including a recent study involving the use of neoadjuvant gemcitabine and cisplatin followed by extrapleural pneumonectomy and high dose radiation for malignant mesothelioma patients. He is also involved in a clinical trial testing the use of neoadjuvant Alimta/cisplatin, extrapleural pneumonectomy, and high dose radiation to treat the disease.

Dr. Flores recently published data in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery focusing on the largest series of cases comparing extrapleural pneumonectomy to pleurectomy decortication. In addition, he has penned many other articles, book chapters, and studies for publication in a variety of media.

Dr. Flores is a member of the American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Surgeons Oncology Group, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Cancer and Leukemia Group B, and the Society of Brigham Surgical Alumni. He serves on the Cornell University Medical College Admissions Committee and the Department of Surgery Protocol Review Committee.

Contact Information:
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Thoracic Surgery
1275 York Avenue
Room C-879
New York, New York 10021
Phone: 212-639-2806

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