Meet Thoracic Surgeon David Jones

David R. Jones, MD

Surgeon

Titles

Chief, Thoracic Service, Department of Surgery; Co-Director, Druckenmiller Center for Lung Cancer Research; Fiona and Stanley Druckenmiller Chair in Lung Cancer; Executive Vice-Chair, Department of Surgery

Clinical Expertise

Lung and Esophageal Cancers; Thymic Malignancies; Pulmonary Metastases; Germ Cell Tumors, Mediastinal Tumors, Tumors of the Trachea and Bronchus, Minimally Invasive Surgery; Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS); endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)

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New Patient Appointments

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Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., (Eastern time)
Accepted Insurance Providers

Dr. Jones accepts the following list of insurance providers. Select your insurance provider to see more details.

Aetna

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (City of NY retirees only, starting 9/1/23)

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield New York

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO PPO, POS

Blue Cross Health Plus

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Carrum Health

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): Supplemental

Cigna

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

Connecticare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem Essential

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

Empire Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO, DSN

Empire Essential

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Empire Plan / NYSHIP (Blue Cross/UnitedHealthcare split plan)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Fidelis

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

First Health

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Healthfirst

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier I (EPO)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier II (EPO)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO

Horizon Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Magnacare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): Federal Government

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): Supplemental

MVP

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

Payor Type: Other
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): TBD

Oscar

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO/EPO

Oxford

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Qualcare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

UMR

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS

United Healthcare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

Contact and Location

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Find a Convenient Location

Memorial Sloan Kettering has locations throughout New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and Westchester. These locations offer many services, including screening, chemotherapy, and medical testing.

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About Me

Education

MD, West Virginia University

Residencies

General Surgery - West Virginia University; Thoracic Surgery - University of North Carolina

Fellowships

Molecular Oncology - University of North Carolina

Board Certifications

General Surgery; Thoracic Surgery

As a thoracic surgeon for more than 23 years, I have devoted my clinical practice to diagnosing and treating patients with lung cancer, esophageal cancer, tumors of the mediastinum (thymus gland and germ cell tumors), and tumors that have metastasized (spread) to the lung from other parts of the body. In addition to serving as Chief of Thoracic Surgery, I am the Co-Director of the Druckenmiller Center for Lung Cancer Research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

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I am committed to enhancing the quality of care and the outcomes for all patients who receive thoracic surgery at MSK. I frequently meet with patients who request second or third opinions regarding the best treatment options for their disease.

Each year, I see approximately 1,350 patients and perform more than 350 operations. The vast majority of the lung cancer surgeries and esophageal cancer resections I perform are done using minimally invasive approaches, such as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). These enable the surgeon to make smaller and fewer incisions during the operation and often result in patients having less pain and a faster recovery. I was one of the first thoracic surgeons in the United States to develop expertise in these techniques.

I am also involved in multiple national and international clinical trials examining the role of surgery combined with immunotherapy and targeted therapies for people with operable lung and esophageal cancers. 

Being diagnosed with cancer is an overwhelming life event. When patients and caregivers meet with me, I hope they leave with a sense of hope about their future. I want them to know that I, together with a whole team of cancer experts, will do our best to take good care of them.

Most patients are concerned about how cancer may impact their life expectancy as well as how the disease and related treatments will affect their quality of life. I take the time to tailor a treatment plan that maximizes the opportunity to cure a person’s cancer while minimizing the potential complications and side effects of surgery, such as pain, infection, or reduced lung function. When appropriate, the plan may also include the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial.

I became interested in thoracic surgical oncology during my residency when I was in the research laboratory studying how lung and esophageal cancers develop into aggressive tumors. Today, my research focuses on the molecular mechanisms that lead to cancer metastases in people with early-stage lung and esophageal cancers. We are identifying the genetics of tumor tissue and blood to guide therapy, provide risk assessment for recurrence of disease, and better understand the biology of these cancers. In addition, our group has been a pioneer in studying the effects of certain treatments before surgery, such as immunotherapy and other therapies that target the molecules involved in cancer growth. 

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, reading books, fine wine, and spending time with friends and family. I have two amazing daughters and a wife who enjoy travel as much as I do. We have been to many places in Asia and Europe but are always planning the next trip.

Awards and Honors

  • Castle Connolly: America's Top Doctors (2006-2023)
  • National Cancer Institute, Board of Scientific Counselors (2019-2024)
  • Secretary, American Association for Thoracic Surgery (2017-2022)
  • President, Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (2016-2017)
  • Chair, Tumor Progression Metastasis Study Section, National Cancer Institute (2014-2016)
  • West Virginia University School of Medicine Distinguished Alumnus (2013)
  • American Association for Cancer Research Career Development Award for Translational Lung Cancer Research (2001)

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.

See all Thoracic Service doctors

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

View Dr. Jones's Lab

Kiankhooy A, Taylor MD, LaPar D, Isbell JM, Kozower BD, Lau CL, Jones DR. Predictors of early recurrence for node-negative T1-T2b non-small cell lung cancer. Ann Thorac Surgery 2014;98(4):1175-83.

Liu Y, Amin EB, Mayo MW, Chudgar NP, Bucciarelli PR, Kadota K, Adusumilli PS, Jones DR. CK2α’ drives lung cancer metastasis by targeting BRMS1 nuclear export and degradation. Cancer Res 2016;76:2675-86.

Chudgar NP, Brennan MF, Munhoz RR, Bucciarelli PR, Tan KS, D’Angelo SP, Bains MS, Bott M, Huang J, Park BP, Rusch VR, Adusumilli PS, Jones DR. Pulmonary metastasectomy with curative intent for soft tissue sarcoma. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2017;154:319-30.

Jones DR. Bending the curve: the importance of expertise. Ann Thorac Surg 2018;103:1287-93.

Brandt WS, Yan W, Tan KS, Bains MS, Park BJ, Adusumilli PS, Huang J, Bott MJ, Rusch VW, Molena D, Isbell JM, Sihag S, Chaft JE, Kris MG, Jones DR. Outcomes after neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy for cT2-4N0-1 non-small cell lung cancer: A propensity-matched analysis. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2019;157(2):743-753.

Brandt W, Bouadallah I, Tan KS, Park BJ, Adusumilli PS, Molena D, Bains MS, Huang J, Isbell JM, Bott M, Jones DR. Predictors of distant recurrence following R0 lobectomy for pN0 lung adenocarcinoma. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2018;155:1212-24.

Forde PM, Chaft JE, Smith KN, Anagnostou V, Cottrell TR, Hellmann MD, Yang SC, Jones DR, Broderick SR, Battafarano R, Rekhtman N, Olah Z, Naidoo J, Marrone KA, Verde F, Guo H, Caushi J, Chan HY, Scharpf RB, White J, Gabrielson E, Zahurak M, Rosner G, Rusch V, Wolchok JD, Merghoub T, Taube JM, Velculescu VE, Topalian SL, Brahmer JR, Pardoll DM. Neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade in resectable lung cancer. N Engl J Med 2018;378:1976-86.

Caso R, Jones GD, Bains MS, Hsu M, Tan KS, Feldman DR, Funt SA, Reuter VE, Gaetano Rocco G, Jones DR. Outcomes following multidisciplinary management of primary mediastinal germ cell tumors. Ann Surg 2021 (online ahead of print).

Caso R, Jones GD, Tan KS, Bosl GJ, Funt SA, Sheinfeld J, Reuter VE, Amar D, Fischer G, Molena D, Rocco G, Bains MS, Feldman DR, Jones DR. Thoracic metastasectomy in germ cell tumor patients treated with first-line versus salvage therapy. Ann Thorac Surg 2021;111(4):1141-1149.

Caso R, Sanchez-Vega F, Tan KS, Mastrogiacomo B, Zhou J, Jones GD, Nguyen B, Schultz N, Connolly JG, Brandt WS, Bott MJ, Rocco G, Molena D, Isbell JM, Liu Y, Mayo MW, Adusumilli PS, Travis WD, Jones DR. The underlying tumor genomics of predominant histologic subtypes in lung adenocarcinoma. J Thorac Oncol 2020;15:1844-56.

Jones GD, Brandt WS, Shen R, Sanchez-Vega F, Tan KS, Martin A, Zhou J, Berger M, Solit DS, Rizvi H, Liu Y, Adamski A, Chaft J, Riely G, Rocco G, Bott MJ, Travis WD, Rekhtman N, Molena D, Adusumilli PS, Imielinski M, Li B, Jones DR. A genomic-pathologic annotated risk model to predict recurrence in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma. JAMA Surg 2021;156(2):e205601.

Chudgar NP, Jones DR. Thoracoscopic lobectomy after neoadjuvant tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. JTCVS Tech. 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjtc.2021.02.005.

Jones DR, Wu YL, Tsuboi M, Herbst RS. Targeted therapies for resectable lung adenocarcinoma: ADAURA opens for thoracic oncologic surgeons. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2021;162:288-92.

Caso R, Connolly JG, Zhou J, Tan KS, Choi JJ, Jones GD, Mastrogiacomo B, Sanchez-Vega F, Nguyen B, Rocco G, Molena D, Sihag S, Adusumilli PS, Bott MJ, Jones DR. Preoperative clinical and tumor genomic features associated with pathologic lymph node metastasis in clinical stage I and II lung adenocarcinoma. npj Precis Oncol 2021 (in press).

Lengel HB, Connolly JG, Jones GD, Caso R, Zhou J, Sanchez-Vega F, Mastrogiacomo B, Isbell JM, Li BT, Liu Y, Rekhtman N, Jones DR. The emerging importance of tumor genomics in operable non-small cell lung cancer. Cancers 2021 (in press).

Disclosures

Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.

MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.

David R. Jones discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

  • AstraZeneca
    Ownership / Equity Interests; Provision of Services
  • Genentech
    Provision of Services
  • Medtronic
    Provision of Services
  • Merck & Co Inc.
    Provision of Services (uncompensated)
  • PeerView Institute for Medical Education (PVI)
    Provision of Services
  • Shanghai Jo'Ann Medical Technology Co., Ltd
    Provision of Services

If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.

The information published here is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.


This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2021 through disclosure submission in spring 2022). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.

Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].


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