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Memorial Sloan Kettering medical oncologist Devika Rao

Devika Rao, MD, FACP

Gastrointestinal Medical Oncologist

Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Esophageal cancers and conditions
  • Stomach (gastric) cancer
  • Colon cancer

My Specialties

  • Biomarker testing
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Dr. Rao's Office Information
Languages: English, Hindi, and Tamil
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Get to Know Me

As a medical oncologist, I care for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies such as esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors. At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, I work closely with a team of experts, including surgeons, medical oncologists, pathologists, and radiation oncologists, to deliver the best possible care for our patients and their families. 

I have a strong clinical background with extensive experience in caring for patients across a large breadth of disease, both during residency and in fellowship. I strive to develop a close, trusting relationship with each patient and family and to provide my patients with care that is compassionate, personalized, and incorporates the most recent medical advances. 

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My research interest lies in solid tumor biology with a focus on GI malignancies. I have worked on identifying biomarkers that can advance personalization of care and also played a lead role on multiple translation projects at the Einstein Cancer Center. My long-term goal is to continue to grow as an academic clinician, with active involvement in the conduct of clinical trials, so that I can provide the best available care to each of my patients. 

I understand that receiving a cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment often pose physical and psychological challenges to our patients. Our team at MSK Basking Ridge recognizes this difficult journey and advocates a multidisciplinary approach to patient care with a commitment to treat not only the disease, but also to address all of our patients’ and caregivers’ needs. Fostering lasting relationships with all my patients, their families, and providing them with excellent care gives me immense satisfaction.

What I Do at MSK

A gastrointestinal (GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul) medical oncologist is a cancer doctor who specializes in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. This includes anal, colorectal, esophageal, gastric (stomach), liver, and pancreatic cancers, as well as GI stromal tumors and neuroendocrine tumors.

  • Assistant Attending Physician
Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Esophageal cancers and conditions
  • Stomach (gastric) cancer
  • Colon cancer
  • Rectal cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Neuroendocrine tumors
  • Liver cancer and conditions
  • Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)
  • Anal cancer
  • Gastrointestinal cancers and conditions

My Specialties

  • Biomarker testing
Education & Honors

Education

  • MD, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research

Residencies

  • Internal Medicine - Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Fellowships

  • Hematology - Montefiore Medical Center
  • Medical Oncology - Montefiore Medical Center

Board Certifications

  • Internal Medicine
  • Hematology
  • Medical Oncology

Awards and Honors

  • Outstanding Fellow Clinical Research Award - Montefiore Medical Center (2019)
  • Leo M. Davidoff Award for Outstanding Teaching of Medical Students - Albert Einstein College of Medicine (2016)
  • Henry L. Moses Prize for Best Basic Science Paper, Montefiore Medical Center (2020)

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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Current Patients
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Contact and Location

Dr. Rao sees patients at one location.

Office Phone
Location
Basking Ridge, NJ
Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge
136 Mountain View Boulevard Basking Ridge NJ 07920
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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.

See all Gastrointestinal Oncology Service doctors

Clinical Trials

Smiling doctors in the lab
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.

Search clinical trials

Research and Publications

Rao D, Mallick A, Augustine T, Daroqui C, Jiffry J, Merla A, Chaudhary I, Seetharaman R, Sood A, Gajavelli S, Aparo S, Rajdev L, Kaubisch A, Chuy J, Maitra R, Goel S. Excision repair cross-complementing group-1 (ERCC1) induction and polymorphism are markers of inferior outcome in patients with colorectal cancer treated with oxaliplatin. Oncotarget. 2019; 10: 5510-5522.

Jiffry J, Thavornwatanayong T, Rao D, Fogel E.J, Saytoo D, Nahata R, Guzik H, Chaudhary I, Augustine T, Goel S, Maitra R. Oncolytic reovirus (pelareorep) induces autophagy in KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer. Clin Cancer Res November 9 2020 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-20-2385.

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.

Devika Rao discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

  • Abbott Laboratories
    Equity
  • AME Publishing Company
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • American Board of Internal Medicine
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • American College of Physicians (ACP)
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • BMJ Case Reports
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • Cancer Medicine
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • CVS Health Corp
    Equity
  • GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development Limited
    Equity
  • Intera Oncology, Inc.
    Professional Services and Activities
  • Journal of Oncology Practice
    Professional Services and Activities (Uncompensated)
  • Merck & Co Inc.
    Equity
  • Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
    Equity
  • Procter & Gamble
    Equity
  • Sandoz, Inc.
    Equity
  • Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC
    Equity
  • UnitedHealth Group
    Equity

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 a complement to other publicly reported data and 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, 2023 through disclosure submission in spring 2024). 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].


View all disclosures