National Leader In Thoracic Surgery Appointed To Lead At RWJBarnabus

Press release from RWJBarnabas Health:

Feb. 1, 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.

This press release was produced by RWJBarnabas Health. The views expressed here are the author's own.