Sam Yoon’s Biography
Since 2021, Sam Yoon has led as Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology and Vice-Chair of Surgical Oncology Research and Education at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. His expertise in sarcomas, stomach, gastroesophageal junction cancers, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) has positioned him at the forefront of clinical trials and international medical symposia focused on combating gastric cancer. This disease remains a significant global health challenge, responsible for more than a million new cases and 750,000 deaths annually.
He is revered for his exceptional dedication to patient care, making him a top choice for individuals seeking treatment from the tri-state area. This commitment has repeatedly earned him a place on the Best Doctors in America list for 2010-2011 and 2017-2020. His practice extends across several locations, including the CUIMC/Herbert Irving Pavilion in New York City and sites in Bronxville, Cortland Manor, New York, and Englewood, New Jersey.
Yoon's academic credentials are impressive, having completed his undergraduate degree at Harvard University and his medical degree from the University of California, San Diego. He undertook his general surgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and completed his surgical oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, recognized as a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Before his current roles, he served as an attending surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's Division of Gastric and Mixed Tumors and as a Weill Cornell Medical College professor. He also held a position as an associate professor at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School before he transitioned to Memorial Sloan Kettering in 2012.
He has been a pioneer in the field of minimally invasive robotic surgery, performing over 300 such surgeries, including robotic gastrectomies. This method utilizes the latest robotic technology to make smaller incisions, improving surgical accuracy and reducing recovery times. His scholarly work includes over 150 published research articles, book chapters, and reviews. He is also deeply involved in transformative research funded by significant entities like Stand Up To Cancer and the DeGregorio Family Foundation for Gastric and Esophageal Cancer Research, aiming to innovate early diagnostic tests and new therapeutic approaches.
Dr. Sam Yoon's unwavering commitment to advancing the field of surgical oncology and improving patient care continues to profoundly impact the medical community and the lives of those he serves.