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Memorial Sloan Kettering Radiation Oncologist Simon N. Powell

Simon N. Powell, MD, PhD, FRCP

Radiation Oncologist

4.9 | 218 reviews

Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Breast cancers and conditions
  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)

My Specialties

  • Radiation therapy
  • Proton therapy
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Dr. Powell's Office Information
Languages: English
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Get to Know Me

I am a radiation oncologist who cares for people with breast cancer. I am Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology and have been practicing medicine for 35 years.

I see approximately 200 new patients with breast cancer each year at Memorial Sloan Kettering in Manhattan.

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When patients come to see me, they are worried about whether we can get rid of their cancer. Many patients read about their diagnosis on the internet, and the information they find can be very scary. I always make it a priority to answer all of my patients’ questions so that they feel reassured. I want them to know that they are getting the best care possible.

My research is focused on breast cancer. I have received funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1992 and am an expert in understanding how DNA repair genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 work to fix DNA damage, as well as how a person’s genetics may influence his or her response to radiation therapy.   

 At MSK, we are leading the way in the use of advanced radiation techniques to ensure our patients have the best outcomes possible. For our early-stage breast cancer patients, we are using hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation. This means patients are receiving fewer total treatment sessions in a shorter time period, with a slightly higher dose given each treatment day. We also have a robust delivery system for partial breast irradiation. We now deliver treatment once per day, which helps our patients tolerate their treatment better.

I have experience treating people with recurrent or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer using radiation in combination with chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies.

For some people, breast cancer treatment can negatively affect the heart. At MSK, we have a program dedicated to assessing this problem. We are leaders in the field of deep inspiration breath-hold techniques, which can help lessen the cardiac side effects for our breast cancer patients. We are also using proton therapy to target tumors more precisely, which can reduce the risk of other treatment-related side effects.

I am a member of advisory boards for several cancer centers in the US and abroad, including the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, University of Michigan Cancer Center, and the University of Florida Health Cancer Center.

In my free time, I enjoy theater, opera, ballet, country-specific versions of history, football, American football, and golf.

What I Do at MSK

A radiation oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in using radiation therapy (RT) to treat cancer with radiation.

  • Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology
  • Enid A. Haupt Chair in Radiation Oncology
Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Breast cancers and conditions
  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)

My Specialties

  • Radiation therapy
  • Proton therapy
Education & Honors

Education

  • MBBS, University of London

Residencies

  • Medicine - University of London Teaching Hospitals

Fellowships

  • Clinical Oncology - Royal Marsden Hospital
  • Radiation Oncology - Harvard Medical School

Board Certifications

  • Radiation Oncology
  • Internal Medicine (UK)

Awards and Honors

  • Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctor (2025)
  • Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctor (2024)
  • Gold Medal Award, American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO, 2023)
  • Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly (2023)
  • Castle Connolly: America's Top Doctors (2023)
  • Castle Connolly: New York Magazine Top Doctors (2016-2020)
  • Top Doctors New York Metro Area
  • Boston Top Doctors
  • St. Louis Top Doctors

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.

Aetna

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (MTA and NYC retirees only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Anthem BCBS and other BCBS licensee plans

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

See updates

Anthem BCBS Health Plus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

See updates

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

See updates

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS

See updates

Carrum Health

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

Cigna

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Connecticare

In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO

First Health

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Emblem

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.

Emblem Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage (Medicare Choice PPO Network and VIP Prime Network Only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Empire Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Empire Plan / NYSHIP (Blue Cross/UnitedHealthcare split plan)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

See updates

Fidelis

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Healthfirst

In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

See updates

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

See updates

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier I (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

See updates

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier II (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

See updates

Horizon Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Magnacare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government

Metroplus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

City Employee Health Plans (Gold and Gold Care)

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

MVP

In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

In Network Coverage Type
TBD

Oscar

In Network Coverage Type
HMO/EPO

Oxford

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Qualcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

UMR

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS

United Healthcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

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.

Make an Appointment

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Contact and Location

Dr. Powell sees patients at one location.

Office Phone
Location
New York, NY
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue New York NY 10065
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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.

See all Radiation Oncology doctors

See all External Beam Radiotherapy Service, Manhattan doctors

Clinical Trials

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Find a Clinical Trial for You

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 trials

Research and Publications

My research is focused on breast cancer. I have received funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1992 and am an expert in understanding how DNA repair genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 work to fix DNA damage, as well as how a person’s genetics may influence his or her response to radiation therapy.

View Dr. Powell's Lab

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Powell’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 PubMed

Patient Reviews

Your trust is our main concern

We strive to keep reviews trustworthy, honest and fair. Learn more about our patient experience reviews.

4.9 218 reviews

  • 4.9 Provider's Explanations Easy to Understand
  • 4.9 Trusts Provider with Care
  • 4.9 Provider Listened Carefully
  • 4.9 Likelihood of Recommending Provider
Mar 13, 2025

Very careful and the patient and understanding. Great works

Mar 13, 2025

I really appreciate Dr. Powell's professional yet kind demeanor. I feel like he is very present when he interacts with me

Mar 6, 2025

Both Dr. Powell and Dr. Ravella were very empathetic and knowledgeable about my case before they met with me. This was a very good experience.

Mar 6, 2025

Brilliant physician and I appreciate his time!

Feb 27, 2025

Dr. Powell is outstanding. I have the greatest confidence in him and the care plan he & his team developed for me.

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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.

Simon N. Powell discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

  • AstraZeneca
    Professional Services and Activities
  • PharmaPier US LLC
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • Rain Therapeutics Inc.
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Varian Medical Systems
    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 ecoi@mskcc.org.


View all disclosures

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