Basking Ridge Doctor Makes History At RWJBarnabas Health

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Dr. Joanna Sesti of Basking Ridge is making history as the first female to serve as Director of Thoracic Oncology Surgery within the RWJBarnabas Health system with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Sesti was born in Cuba and immigrated to New Jersey in 1989 when she was 7 years old. Growing up her grandfather in Cuba would work with stroke patients. Her father followed in his footsteps by working in physical therapy to help rehabilitate others.

Her family's background spurred an interest in healthcare but it was her AP biology teacher in high school that really had her fall in love with science and led to her ultimately deciding to study medicine.

Sesti always really enjoyed the intellectual challenge in the medical field but also had always been a very technical person as she used to work with her hands on projects with her dad.

"As a surgeon, it's a mix of intellectual challenges and the technical aspects of doing an operation," said Sesti.

Sesti says being named as the first female director of thoracic oncology surgery is probably her biggest accomplishment.

"Being female and a Cuban immigrant in the field has taught me a lot about focusing on my work and not on the noise. Some would say I don't belong here," said Sesti. "Regardless you have to learn to silence them and focus on doing your job and doing it well."

Today Sesti's specialty is minimally invasive thoracic surgery — specifically robotic-assisted surgery. She's passionate about advancements in the treatment of thoracic cancers, particularly immunotherapy, and the progression of technology to ensure patients have access to a leading-edge thoracic-oncology program in their own backyard.

"My biggest goal is to grow the department. Right now we have two surgeons covering the northern part of the hospital system. I would like to grow our department to four or five surgeons giving access to patients in every community," said Sesti.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.