West Orange, N.J., January 31, 2023 - Richard S. Lazzaro, MD, FACS, a board-certified thoracic surgeon with 25 years of specialized experience in minimally invasive and robotic surgery, has been named to the expanded position of Chief of Thoracic Surgery for the RWJBarnabas Health Southern Region, encompassing Monmouth Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, Community Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), RWJUH Hamilton, and RWJUH Somerset. Dr. Lazzaro will continue to ensure the coordination and delivery of exceptional thoracic surgery and cancer care across the health system. This includes collaboration with colleagues at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center together with RWJBarnabas Health.
“Under Dr. Lazzaro’s strategic direction and extraordinary vision, he will ensure the continued growth of our robust thoracic surgery program, providing the most advanced treatment options including clinical trials,” notes Rutgers Cancer Institute Director Steven K. Libutti, MD, FACS, who is also the Senior Vice President of Oncology Services at RWJBarnabas Health. “The expanded leadership role of Dr. Lazzaro further strengthens a program that leads the state in innovation and excellence.”
A renowned national leader in the field, Dr. Lazzaro has pioneered many groundbreaking firsts in robotic thoracic surgery and has led one of the largest tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) programs in the nation. Using minimally invasive robotic surgery, he specializes in precise surgical procedures that result in minimal scarring and faster recovery times for patients.
“Since joining RWJBarnabas Health in 2022, Dr. Lazzaro’s leadership and expertise have strengthened the advanced thoracic and lung cancer care available to patients throughout the region,” notes Bill Arnold, Executive Vice President, Southern Region, RWJBarnabas Health and President and Chief Executive Officer of RWJUH. “Dr. Lazzaro offers minimally invasive thoracic surgery options that have improved health outcomes for our patients.”
Prior to joining RWJBarnabas Health, Dr. Lazzaro served as the Director of Thoracic Robotic Surgery and Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Northwell Health. He attended Albany Medical College and completed his residency at North Shore University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College. He completed postdoctoral fellowship training in minimally invasive thoracic surgery at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center as well as in general thoracic surgery at SUNY Downstate Medical Center.
Dr. Lazzaro performs all types of adult thoracic surgery with a particular clinical interest in lung cancer surgery, robotic minimally invasive VATS surgery, esophageal surgery, tracheal surgery, tracheobronchomalacia, and tracheobronchoplasty.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering eight counties with five million people. The system includes twelve acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville; Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth; three acute care children's hospitals; Children’s Specialized Hospital, including a network of outpatient centers; a behavioral health center and the state’s largest behavioral health network; two trauma centers; a satellite emergency department; ambulatory care centers; geriatric centers; comprehensive home care and hospice programs; fitness and wellness centers; retail pharmacy services; an affiliated medical group; multi-site imaging centers; and two accountable care organizations.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers – with more than 38,000 employees and 9,000 physicians – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with Rutgers University, is New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration aligns RWJBarnabas Health with Rutgers’ education, research, and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey – the state's only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center – and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.
About Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
As New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute, together with RWJBarnabas Health, offers the most advanced cancer treatment options including bone marrow transplantation, proton therapy, CAR T-cell therapy and complex surgical procedures. Along with clinical trials and novel therapeutics such as precision medicine and immunotherapy – many of which are not widely available – patients have access to these cutting-edge therapies at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey at University Hospital in Newark, as well as through RWJBarnabas Health facilities. To make a tax-deductible gift to support Rutgers Cancer Institute, call 848-932-8013 or visit www.cinj.org/giving.
Media Contact:
Carrie Cristello, 908-347-3157
carrie.cristello@rwjbh.org