Monica F. Chen, MD
Melanoma 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
My Specialties
- Melanoma
- Early-Phase Clinical Trials
- Molecular Targeted Therapies
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About Me
- Assistant Attending Physician
I am a medical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of melanoma with expertise in early-phase clinical trials. I see patients at Rockefeller Outpatient Pavilion in Manhattan and at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth in New Jersey.
My path to becoming an oncologist began when my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. I know first-hand how devastating a cancer diagnosis can be for a person and their loved ones. I quickly learned how confusing and rushed medical interactions can feel. I became an oncologist because I wanted the opportunity to counsel and guide people like my grandmother, through one of the most difficult periods in their lives.
I aim to get to know my patients on a personal level and partner with them to design treatment plans individualized to each patient’s needs and the unique characteristics of the type of cancer they have been diagnosed with. People who come for their first appointment are often fearful about the many unknowns that come with cancer: What does this diagnosis mean? What treatments are available to me? How will the treatment make me feel? How will it affect my loved ones?
I try to help my patients understand all options. Together with an exceptional multidisciplinary team, I work to bring cutting-edge therapies to the clinic with the goal of ending cancer for life. My research focuses on developing the next generation of targeted therapies and immunotherapies, particularly for patients with brain metastasis. Many FDA-approved therapies for patients were developed by our team including the combination of nivolumab (Opdivo ®) and ipilimumab (Yervoy ®), selpercatinib (Retevmo ®), and trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu®).
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with loved ones, cooking, traveling, and hiking.
A melanoma medical oncologist is a cancer doctor who specializes in melanoma. This includes superficial spreading, nodular, lentigo maligna, and acral lentiginous melanomas, as well as eye, mucosal, and rare skin melanomas.
My Specialties
- Melanoma
- Early-Phase Clinical Trials
- Molecular Targeted Therapies
- Developmental Therapeutics
Education
- MD, University of California Los Angeles
Residencies
- Internal Medicine, NewYork Presbyterian-Columbia University
Awards and Honors
- Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Award, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2024)
- Conquer Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2023)
- Dr. Joseph N. Muschel Housestaff Award, Columbia University (2020)
- David Geffen Merit Scholar (2014-2018)
Fellowships
- Medical Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
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, 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.
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New Patients
Current Patients
Contact and Location
Dr. Chen 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. Chen’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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