Deb Schrag, MD, MPH
Gastrointestinal Medical Oncologist
My Role at MSKWe post reviews for MSK healthcare providers who have at least 30 patient experience surveys completed. If you do not see reviews for a provider, it may be because they do not yet have enough survey responses, or the provider may not be part of the group of healthcare providers included in the survey.
Only outpatient providers are included in the survey. Healthcare providers who only work in the hospital or in urgent care are not included in the survey. Pathologists or researchers who do not provide direct care to patients do not have reviews.
Areas of Expertise
Conditions I Treat
- Gastrointestinal cancers and conditions
- Colon cancer
- Rectal cancer
About Me
- Chair, Department of Medicine, George J. Bosl Chair at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
I am a medical oncologist specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers with a particular emphasis on lower GI tract tumors, which include rectal, colon, and anal cancer.
In the 20-plus years that I have cared for patients with these types of cancers, I have had the privilege to be a member of teams that have conducted foundational trials that have improved outcomes so that patients are living not only longer, but also better.
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Currently, I am the leader of a large national trial that seeks to streamline and personalize the way we treat patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. I am especially focused on optimizing care by collaborating with surgeons, radiologists, radiation oncologists, and pathologists to improve patient outcomes.
I am inspired and motivated by the tremendous progress that has been made since the 1990s. Patients with advanced colorectal cancer are now able to survive with good quality of life for extended periods. This progress was achieved through intensive partnerships, team science, and including patients as partners in the design of research trials. My goal is to accelerate progress using this approach.
My training in medicine and medical oncology began at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, and I launched my career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as a member of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Service. From 2008 to 2021, I practiced medical oncology in the GI oncology group at Dana-Farber and was a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. In 2021, I returned to MSK to serve as Chair of the Department of Medicine. Although I dedicate considerable energy to leadership in academic medicine, caring for patients has always been my primary source of inspiration. I remain connected to my patients and their families across the country and am motivated by the journeys of those who succumbed to cancer and those who have been cured or are living with advanced cancer.
I am a strong proponent of making cancer care options transparent to patients by ensuring that they are equipped with all of the knowledge necessary to make informed choices at every step. I am the architect of systems to engage patients in reporting on how they feel and function during cancer treatment and of initiatives to make electronic health records and clinical trials open and accessible. My approach is to partner with my patients and their families to help them understand the array of treatment options and to develop a customized treatment plan that leverages the most up-to-date scientific knowledge. My research focuses on ensuring that the discoveries in the laboratory translate from research to reality to achieve maximum benefit and public health impact. I am a firm believer that by enhancing the way that care is delivered, we can achieve better outcomes for more patients.
A gastrointestinal (GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul) medical oncologist is a cancer doctor who specializes in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. This includes anal, colorectal, esophageal, gastric (stomach), liver, and pancreatic cancers, as well as GI stromal tumors and neuroendocrine tumors.
Conditions I Treat
- Gastrointestinal cancers and conditions
- Colon cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Anal cancer
Education
- MPH, Harvard University School of Public Health
- MD, Columbia University Medical School
Residencies
- Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Awards and Honors
- Member, National Academy of Medicine (2024)
- Castle Connolly: Exceptional Women in Medicine (2024)
- Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctor (2024)
- Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly (2023)
- ASCO-American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Award (2023)
- Giant of Cancer Care, Prevention/Genetics, OncLive (2023)
- Exceptional Women in Medicine Award, Castle Connolly (2023)
- Castle Connolly: America's Top Doctors (2023)
- Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (2013)
- Member of the National Cancer Policy Forum
- Associate Editor, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
- Boston Magazine: Top Doctors (2016-2021)
- Exceptional Women in Medicine (2019-2020)
- Association of American Physicians (AAP): Elected member (2016)
- Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology: Richard L. Schilsky Achievement Award (2016)
- Castle Connolly: Regional Top Doctor (2013-present)
Fellowships
- Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Board Certifications
- Internal Medicine
- Medical Oncology
Insurance Information
Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO, DSN
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
Don't see your carrier or plan? We can help you understand your coverage.
If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.
If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.
Contact and Location
Dr. Schrag sees patients at two locations.
Looking to see a doctor at a different location? See all MSK locations.
Colleagues
Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.
Clinical Trials
Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.
You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.
Search clinical trialsResearch and Publications
Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Schrag’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
See all on PubMedPatient Reviews
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Disclosures
Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.
MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.
Deb Schrag discloses the following relationships and financial interests:
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American Association for Cancer Research
Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated) -
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Professional Services and Activities -
Dana Farber
Intellectual Property Rights; Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated) -
Grail
Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated) -
Mayo Clinic
Professional Services and Activities -
Oklahoma Society of Clinical Oncology
Professional Services and Activities
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Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
Professional Services and Activities -
Sociedade Brasileira de Coloproctologia
Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated) -
Swiss Re Management Ltd.
Professional Services and Activities -
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated) -
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Professional Services and Activities
If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.
The information published here is a complement to other publicly reported data and is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.
This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2023 through disclosure submission in spring 2024). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.
Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].
