Since coming to Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey in 1995, Deborah L. Toppmeyer, MD, has helped countless patients with breast cancer navigate their journey through a comprehensive approach at the Stacy Goldstein Breast Cancer Center.
When a patient hears the words, “You have breast cancer,” they need to know that not all breast cancer is alike. Therefore, Dr. Toppmeyer recommends a personalized treatment plan tailored to their particular disease to maximize the benefit.
Following a fellowship at the Dana Farber Cancer Center at Harvard Medical School, preceded by a residency at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Toppmeyer's expertise has long been breast cancer and breast cancer genetics – including helping people understand their risk of developing breast cancer.
Through the years, Dr. Toppmeyer has also been involved in the design and implementation of clinical trials that offer promising new therapies targeted to specific types of breast cancer. In consultation with experts across multiple disciplines, she help educate patients about clinical trial options. With the unique relationship offered through a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Toppmeyer has the opportunity to work collaboratively with scientific investigators -- helping to translate information from the patient bedside back to the laboratory.
As a professor of medicine at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Dr. Toppmeyer also enjoys teaching the next generation of oncologists and provide opportunities for students to learn cancer biology, cancer pharmacology, genetics and clinical care.
Dr. Toppmeyer is the author or co-author of more than 50 publications and serves on the editorial board of the journal Clinical Cancer Research, one of the nation’s premier cancer publications. As a core member for the Breast Committee of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, one of the nation's largest clinical cancer research organizations that conducts clinical trials in all types of adult cancers, she helps develop and identify the next generation of treatment options for women and men with breast cancer.
She is also affiliated with RWJ University Hospital and RWJ University Hospital Hamilton.
Honors and Awards
Exceptional Women in Medicine: Castle Connolly Top Doctors – 2019, 2020
Jersey’s Best – Top Doctors for Cancer Care- June 2019, 2020
2018 Woman of Distinction: Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey
Inside New Jersey Magazine: Top Doctors for Cancer Care – Inside Jersey – July 2017, July 2018
Inside New Jersey Magazines’ Top Doctors for Women’s Health – pub; February 2017, February 2018
America’s Most Honored Professionals: Top 1% - The American Registry – 2016
Inside Jersey’s Medical Oncology Top Doctor’s for Women – Castle Connolly Medical LTD. – 2016, 2017
Top Doctors for Cancer – Newsweek Magazine – 2015, 2016
Inside Jersey’s Medical Oncology Top Doctor’s for 2014 – Castle Connolly Medical LTD. – 2014, 2015, 2016
Best Doctors in America – Top 5% of U.S. doctors - Best Doctors – 2014
America’s Top Doctors: New York Metro Area - Castle Connolly Medical LTD 2000-- 2020 (20th Anniversary)
America’s Top Doctors 20 Years - Castle Connolly Medical LTD – 2020
America’s Top Doctors - Castle Connolly Medical LTD – 13 yr. Anniversary, 2014, 2016
Recognized as an Outstanding Leader, Makinga Difference for Women Award, National Council for Research on Women, 2012
America’s Top Doctors for Cancer Care– Castle Connolly, American Registry: 2010 - 2020 (10th Anniversary)
America’s Most Honored Professionals - Top 4% of all recognized professionals in America Castle Connolly, American Registry - 2011
America’s Most Honored Doctors - Top 1% of all recognized professionals in America Castle Connolly, American Registry - 2020
Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor 2021, America Castle Connolly, Top 6% of all U.S. board certified physicians - 2021
Inside New Jersey Magazines’ Top Doctors, Castle Connolly, American Registry, 2002 - 2014
Night of Wine and Roses Medical Honoree, American Cancer Society, 2010
Award of Hope for Leadership in Patient Care, Cancer Institute of New Jersey Foundation, 2006
Spirit of Jane Rodney Award, Susan G. Komen Foundation, 2005
Alpha Omega Alpha, National Honor Medical Society, 1984
Psi Chi, National Honorary Psychology Society, 1981
Ralph Signet Award - for excellence in Chemistry Research, Ohio Wesleyan University, 1981
Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1981
Lubrizol Scholar in Chemistry, Ohio Wesleyan University, 1980
Chi Gamma Nu, National Honorary Chemistry Society, 1979
