Celebrating a Landmark Oncology Text and Progress in Cancer Care
The Event Marked the Publication of the New Edition of Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology, While Highlighting the Progress of NYMC Faculty in the Fight Against Cancer
The publication of the eighth edition of Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology, under the editorial leadership of Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., chancellor and chief executive officer and professor of radiation medicine and of pediatrics at New York Medical College (NYMC), was also an occasion to spotlight the latest treatments and technologies being used in oncology at NYMC’s major clinical affiliate Westchester Medical Center (WMC). During a reception on January 14 in the Blanche and Albert Willner, M.D. '43 Atrium and Lobby in the Medical Education Center, several key speakers discussed the significance of the book and the medical center's cancer care programs.
For nearly 40 years, Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology has been the authoritative ‘book-of-record’ for the field of radiation oncology. Covering both the biological and physical science aspects of this complex field as well as site-specific information on the integrated, multidisciplinary management of patients with cancer, the fully-revised eighth edition, now known as Perez, Brady, Halperin, and Wazer’s Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology, is under the editorial leadership of Dr. Halperin and co-senior editor David E. Wazer, M.D., of Brown University.
Mark Hurwitz, M.D., chair of radiation medicine at NYMC and director of radiation medicine at WMC, opened the event by highlighting the expertise available at NYMC and WMC.
David Lubarsky, M.D., M.B.A., chief executive officer of WMC Health Network and professor of anesthesiology and distinguished visiting professor of public health at NYMC, emphasized their vision at WMC to establish a comprehensive cancer center with state-of-the-art equipment and clinical research trials in conjunction with NYMC, with the goal of obtaining National Cancer Institute designation.
Marjorie Zauderer, M.D., professor of medicine at NYMC and chief of hematology and medical oncology at WMC, highlighted the comprehensive multidisciplinary care provided and the importance of the new book.
“Since joining NYMC and WMC in 2024, I’ve been overwhelmed by the collaborative nature that everyone has, from cancer prevention to the most cutting-edge cell therapy and clinical trials underway,” said Dr. Zauderer. “That really aligns quite well with this book that we’re here to celebrate. Under Dr. Halperin’s editorial stewardship, this landmark text continues the 40-year tradition of defining the field of radiation oncology and preparing the next generation of providers and leaders and reflects the kind of care we are delivering and that we aspire to expand throughout the Hudson Valley.”
Sean Tedjarati, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., chair and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at NYMC and director of obstetrics and gynecology at WMC, shared a patient success story, illustrating the gynecological oncology program's impact and expansion over his past 16 years there. Simon Hanft, M.D., associate professor of neurosurgery at NYMC and section chief of neurosurgical oncology at WMC, described how collaboration between neurosurgery, medical oncology, and radiation oncology has truly flourished at WMC, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring patients realize that advanced, leading-edge care is available close to home.
John Phillips, M.D., chair and professor of urology at NYMC and director of urology at WMC, discussed the importance of inspiring residents and students to contribute to groundbreaking research.
“When I became chair and director, I realized that it was up to us, the faculty, to inspire the residents and the medical students, and what better way to do that than to make them see that they can really contribute something novel, something that’s never been done before, through involvement in clinical trials and in translational research,” said Dr. Phillips. “That’s the kind of inspiration that leads to joy, which is what gets us through the hard days, and I see that as the fabric of this medical college community and this medical center.”
Dr. Hurwitz also took the time to acknowledge Michael Grasso, M.D., clinical professor of urology, at the event for his generous support of NYMC. Dr. Grasso recently endowed the Michael and Kathy Grasso Annual Lectureship Series in the Principles of Oncology and provided support for academic endeavors in surgical oncology and student research in urology.
The formal program for the event concluded with a video message from Joe Cho of Wolters Kluwer, the book's publisher, and remarks from Dr. Halperin, who reflected on the history of cancer research and treatment.
“I spent several months of my fourth year of medical school at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland,” he recalled. “On the white coats of those who worked there was the image of a gladiator battling a giant crab, the symbol of cancer, who in size dwarfed the gladiator. That is what, in my youthful fantasy, I was going to spend my life doing: hunting the crab. I hope that the new edition of my book helps the hunters prepare for the hunt. It helps young people decide if this is the task they wish to dedicate their lives to. I am happy to be joined by my colleagues at WMC Health this afternoon and calling attention to our collective role in this war against cancer.”
