Surgeon-Scientist Ryan Fields to Chair URMC Department of Surgery

The University of Rochester Medical Center has recruited Washington University surgeon-scientist Ryan C. Fields, MD, to chair its Department of Surgery, a role previously held by URMC CEO and Dean David C. Linehan, MD. Fields will serve as the Seymour I. Schwartz Professor in Surgery and Chair of the Department of Surgery at URMC, Surgeon-in-Chief of Strong Memorial Hospital, and director of Translational Research of the Wilmot Cancer Institute. Walter Pegoli, Jr., MD, professor of Surgery and Pediatrics, will continue serving as interim chair until Fields joins URMC on July 1, 2025.

Fields is a surgical oncologist and translational scientist who currently serves as the Kim and Tim Eberlein Distinguished Professor of Surgery and chief of Surgical Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine, leader of the Solid Tumor Therapeutics Program at the Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, and director of Resident Research in the Department of Surgery.

“An accomplished surgeon-scientist, Ryan Fields brings an exceptional blend of clinical expertise and leadership in transdisciplinary research that will elevate our Department of Surgery’s missions,” Linehan said. “His remarkable track record of securing NIH funding is evidence of his research prowess, while his commitment to team building and mentorship align perfectly with our collaborative culture.”

A Detroit native, Fields completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan and then graduated from Duke University School of Medicine. This was followed by a general surgery residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at Washington University School of Medicine, and a surgical oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Fields then returned to St. Louis in 2011 to join the faculty, rising from assistant professor to chief of Surgical Oncology.

Fields’ clinical focus is on the multidisciplinary treatment of solid tumors, including pancreatic, biliary, liver, and gastric malignancies along with sarcoma, and cutaneous oncology with a focus on melanoma.

“Given his clinical and scientific interests and impressive achievements, Ryan quickly emerged as a leader among a national pool of candidates,” said search committee chair Judith F. Baumhauer, MD, MPH, vice dean for Academic Affairs for the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. “His vision for the department and collaborative style position him well to continue moving our Department of Surgery forward. We eagerly anticipate his leadership and all he brings to achieving our missions.”

With 10 consecutive years of funding from the National Cancer Institute, Fields’ research is centered on understanding the biology and genetics of how cancer spreads, cancer modeling, and deep profiling of human tumors to better understand treatment response and resistance. The ultimate goal of his collaborative research program is to identify novel pathways that can be leveraged into new cancer therapies. He has led several large-scale NCI projects, including two “Cancer Moonshot” grants with his colleagues and co-investigators. Fields has more than 350 peer-reviewed publications to his credit, with emphasis on solid tumor biology, cancer genomics, novel diagnostics and treatment, and outcomes.

“We at Wilmot are fortunate to welcome Dr. Fields to our team,” said Wilmot Cancer Institute Director Jonathan W. Friedberg, MD. “He provides amazing research synergy with many of our current members, and he is committed to the multidisciplinary clinical approach represented by our cancer service line.”

A respected mentor and dedicated teacher, Fields has worked with numerous students, residents, and fellows on their paths to careers in academic surgical oncology. He leads an NCI training grant that identifies, recruits, trains, and retains stellar candidates into mentored research programs during their residency training across various oncology-focused disciplines.

His many professional affiliations and national leadership positions include the American Society of Clinical Investigation, American Surgical Association, Society of Clinical Surgeons, Society of University Surgeons, the Southern Surgical Association, and the Society of Surgical Oncology.

“My family and I are thrilled and honored to join the University of Rochester and partner with my amazing future colleagues, continuing the incredible momentum that the transformative leaders like Dr. Schwartz and Dr. Linehan have created in the Department of Surgery,” Fields said. “I look forward to working to push the boundaries of what we think possible with the people in the Department of Surgery, Wilmot Cancer Institute, Medical Center, and Rochester community as partners and colleagues. Across the clinical, educational, research, and community-forward missions, we will become ‘ever better’ together. Meliora!” 

Fields will be joined in Rochester by his wife, Laura, a certified health and wellness coach with an interest in academic faculty, trainee, and staff well-being, and their teenage children, Gabriel (Gabe) and Sarah.