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Chimene Kesserwan

Chimene Kesserwan, MD

Clinical Geneticist

Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Hereditary cancers

My Specialties

  • Cancer prevention
  • Genetic testing and counseling
  • Early detection
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Dr. Kesserwan's Office Information
Languages: English
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Get to Know Me

I am a board-certified clinical geneticist and pathologist on the MSK Kids team. I have formal training in pediatric hematology-oncology, molecular pathology, and hematopathology. With my background, I integrate clinical genetics, pathology, and cancer care to help children with an inherited predisposition to cancer. I see patients at Memorial Hospital and at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Clinical Genetics Service in New York City.

I oversee the MSK Kids Clinical Genetics Service and Pediatric Cancer Predisposition Screening Program. This program helps children, young adults, and family members understand how genetics play a role in a young person’s illness. Individuals can also learn if any genetic mutations may affect other family members. Our team works closely with the specialists in MSK-CATCH, the clinic that provides care for adults with hereditary cancer syndromes at MSK.

I am deeply committed to bridging patient care and research related to pediatric cancer predisposition. My colleagues and I hope to identify novel genes that predispose people to cancer. We offer surveillance plans to enhance early detection and patient outcomes. Our overarching goal is to offer genetic and genomic testing to every child with cancer seen at MSK Kids.

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I chose this field because it combines my passion for pediatric oncology and my interest in genetics and research. Witnessing the challenges that children and their families face opened my eyes to the urgent need for early detection. I was motivated to pursue a specialty where I could make a tangible difference. My team and I will see any patient referred to us by the MSK Kids team for genetic assessment.

When I meet with a new patient and family for the first time, I approach them with empathy and collaboration. I explain genetic and medical details in plain language. I ensure they all understand the situation and feel empowered to make decisions.

I work with a team of oncologists, genetic counselors, and support specialists to address each family’s medical and emotional needs. This comprehensive, caring approach helps build trust and creates a supportive environment where everyone feels informed and valued.

I am proud to be closely involved in several National Institutes of Health-funded expert panels and initiatives. These roles have allowed me to foster more precise, evidence-based genetic interpretations that drive improvements in patient care.

The field of pediatric cancer genetics offers hope and improved outcomes through early detection and intervention. Every discovery and every child we care for drive home the importance of our work. Knowing my efforts contribute to a future where fewer children may face the devastating impact of cancer is incredibly fulfilling.

What I Do at MSK

A clinical geneticist is a scientist with special training in diagnosing and treating genetic conditions. They can help explain your risk of getting a genetic condition that is passed on from parents to children.

  • Associate Attending Physician
Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Hereditary cancers

My Specialties

  • Cancer prevention
  • Genetic testing and counseling
  • Early detection
Education & Honors

Education

  • MD, Lebanese University, Faculty of Medical Sciences

Residencies

  • Pediatrics, American University of Beirut Medical Center
  • Pathology, American University of Beirut Medical Center
  • Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Fellowships

  • Medical and Molecular Genetics, NIH/NHGRI
  • Pediatrics Hematology Oncology, Johns Hopkins University and NCI
  • Molecular Pathology, Albert Einstein School of Medicine
  • Hematopathology, NYU Langone Health

Board Certifications

  • Medical Genetics and Genomics, Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Anatomic Pathology, Molecular Pathology, Hematopathology

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. Kesserwan sees patients at two locations.

Office Phone
Location
New York, NY
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue New York NY 10065
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Clinical Genetics Service
222 East 70th Street New York NY 10021
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Looking to see a doctor at a different location? See all MSK locations.

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.

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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.

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Research and Publications

  1. de Andrade KC, Lee EE, Tookmanian EM, Kesserwan CA, Manfredi JJ, Hatton JN, Loukissas JK, Zavadil J, Zhou L, Olivier M, Frone MN, Shahzada O, Longabaugh WJR, Kratz CP, Malkin D, Hainaut P, Savage SA. The TP53 Database: transition from the International Agency for Research on Cancer to the US National Cancer Institute. Cell Death Differ. 2022 Mar 29;. doi: 10.1038/s41418-022-00976-3. PubMed PMID: 35352025
  2. Newman S, Nakitandwe J, Kesserwan CA, Azzato EM, Wheeler DA, Rusch M, Shurtleff S, Hedges DJ, Hamilton KV, Foy SG, Edmonson MN, Thrasher A, Bahrami A, Orr BA, Klco JM, Gu J, Harrison LW, Wang L, Clay MR, Ouma A, Silkov A, Liu Y, Zhang Z, Liu Y, Brady SW, Zhou X, Chang TC, Pande M, Davis E, Becksfort J, Patel A, Wilkinson MR, Rahbarinia D, Kubal M, Maciaszek JL, Pastor V, Knight J, Gout AM, Wang J, Gu Z, Mullighan CG, McGee RB, Quinn EA, Nuccio R, Mostafavi R, Gerhardt EL, Taylor LM, Valdez JM, Hines-Dowell SJ, Pappo AS, Robinson G, Johnson LM, Pui CH, Ellison DW, Downing JR, Zhang J, Nichols KE. Genomes for Kids: The scope of pathogenic mutations in pediatric cancer revealed by comprehensive DNA and RNA sequencing. Cancer Discov. 2021 Jul 23;. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-20-1631.
  3. Walsh MF, Ritter DI, Kesserwan C, Sonkin D, Chakravarty D, Chao E, Ghosh R, Kemel Y, Wu G, Lee K, Kulkarni S, Hedges D, Mandelker D, Ceyhan-Birsoy O, Luo M, Drazer M, Zhang L, Offit K, Plon SE. Integrating somatic variant data and biomarkers for germline variant classification in cancer predisposition genes. Hum Mutat. 2018 Nov;39(11):1542-1552. doi: 10.1002/humu.23640. PubMed PMID: 30311369;
  4. Kesserwan C, Friedman Ross L, Bradbury AR, Nichols KE. The Advantages and Challenges of Testing Children for Heritable Predisposition to Cancer. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2016;35:251-69. doi: 10.1200/EDBK_160621. PubMed PMID: 27249705.
  5. Kesserwan C, Sokolic R, Cowen EW, Garabedian E, Heselmeyer-Haddad K, Lee CC, Pittaluga S, Ortiz C, Baird K, Lopez-Terrada D, Bridge J, Wayne AS, Candotti F. Multicentric dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in patients with adenosine deaminase-deficient severe combined immune deficiency. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012 Mar;129(3):762-769.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.10.028. Epub 2011 Dec 6. PubMed PMID: 22153773
Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Kesserwan’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