Meet Colorectal Surgeon Julio Garcia-Aguilar

Julio Garcia-Aguilar, MD, PhD

Colorectal Surgeon

Titles

Chief, Colorectal Service; Benno C. Schmidt Chair in Surgical Oncology

Clinical Expertise

Colon and Rectal Cancers; Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery

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646-497-9065
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., (Eastern time)
Accepted Insurance Providers

Dr. Garcia-Aguilar 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, Universidad Complutense

Residencies

General Surgery - Beth Israel Hospital

Fellowships

Colon & Rectal Surgery - University of Minnesota

Board Certifications

General Surgery; Colon and Rectal Surgery

I have dedicated my career to the surgical care of people with colon and rectal cancer, and am an expert in minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic techniques for performing these surgeries.

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In addition to having treated thousands of patients over the years, I have a keen interest in research, particularly in examining ways to improve outcomes for peoples with colon and rectal cancers. I have led National Cancer Institute–sponsored studies aimed at  improving the quality of life of patients with rectal cancer by performing smaller operations and identifying individuals  who might avoid surgery altogether through sufficient elimination of tumors with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

I am also interested in identifying biomarkers that could predict rectal cancer response to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and in examining racial disparities in outcomes for people with colorectal cancer.

I joined Memorial Sloan Kettering as Chief of the Colorectal Service in 2012, after serving in leadership positions at various institutions, including as chair of the Department of Surgery at the City of Hope in California and chief of the Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, Medical Center.

Over the course of my career, I have contributed to the wider medical knowledge of these cancers, having published more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, abstracts, editorials, and reviews. I have penned chapters for a spectrum of textbooks on surgical therapy for the myriad manifestations of colorectal disease, and also wrote a book for a patient audience titled Fast Facts – Colorectal Cancer (Health Press, 2010).

I have served as associate editor for such publications as Annals of Surgical Oncology, as co-editor of Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, and as an ad-hoc reviewer on a spectrum of journals including the Lancet Oncology and the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

I have lectured extensively on the advances in colorectal surgery both nationally and around the world, from grand rounds at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to the Harvard Medical School Postgraduate Course in General Surgery. My participation in continuing medical education courses extends back to the mid-1990s, when I served as a lecturer on the principles of colon and rectal surgery at the University of Minnesota.

Outside of my clinical responsibilities, I am proud to have received various honorary memberships from professional societies over the years, and am a long-time member of the Research Foundation of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. I have served as president of the organization since 2010.

I left my native country of Spain in 1985, after earning my medical degree and completing my surgery residency at the Complutense University in Madrid. I completed my training in general surgery at Harvard University’s Beth Israel Hospital and did a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School. I also did a clinical fellowship in colorectal surgery at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.

In addition to having treated thousands of patients over the years, I have a keen interest in research, particularly in examining ways to improve outcomes for peoples with colon and rectal cancers.

-Dr. Garcia-Aguilar

Awards and Honors

  • Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctors (2023)
  • Castle Connolly: New York Magazine Top Doctors (2015-2020)

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 Colorectal 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.

Search clinical trials

Research and Publications

Books
Fast Facts: Colorectal Cancer. 3rd ed. Taylor I, Garcia-Aguilar J, Ward R, eds. Oxford, UK: Health Press; 2010.

Book Chapters
“Local treatment of rectal cancer.” Rothenberger DA, Garcia-Aguilar J. In: Current Therapy of Colorectal Disease. Fazio V, Church J, eds. Philadelphia: Mosby; 2001.

 “Tecnicas de anastomosis en cirugia colorectal.” Garcia-Aguilar J, Hernandez de Anda E. In: Colon, Recto y Ano: Enfermedades Medico Quirurgicas. Takahashi T, ed. Mexico: ETM Editores; 2002: 631-639.

 “Management of cancer in a polyp.” Rothenberger DA, Garcia-Aguilar J. Colorectal Cancer: Multimodality Management. Saltz L, ed. New York: Humana Press; 2002.

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 “Poliposis y cancer colorectal.” Garcia-Aguilar J, Guerrero V. In: Cirugía AEC: manual de la Asociación Española de Cirjuanos/directores. Parrilla Paricio P, Jaurrieta Mas E, Moreno Azcoita M, eds. Madrid: Medica Panamericana; 2004.

 “Managing anismus.” Garcia-Aguilar J, Rhoads K. In: Complex Anorectal Disorders: Investigations and Management. Zbar AP, Pescator M, Wexner SD, eds. London: Springer-Verlag; 2006.

 “Rectal cancer: local treatment.” Rothenberger D, Garcia-Aguilar J. In: Current Therapy for Colon and Rectal Cancer. Philadelphia: Mosby; 2006.

“Surgical treatment of rectal cancer.” Bleday R, Garcia-Aguila J. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Textbook of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Wolf BG, Fleshman JW, Beck DE, Pemberton JH, Wexner SD, eds. New York: Springer; 2006: 413-436.

“Radical resections versus local excision for early rectal cancer.” Garcia-Aguilar J. ACS Surgery: Principles and Practice. 6th ed. New York: WebMD; 2008.

“Clinical trials.” Rhoads K, Garcia-Aguilar J. In: Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery: Principles and Practice. Cataldo P, Buess G, eds. New York: Springer; 2008.

“Partial sacrectomy.” Ho J, Garcia-Aguilar J. In: Essential Techniques in Operative Neurosurgery. Jandial R, McCormick P, Black P, eds. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2010.

 “Partial sacrectomy.” Chen M, Garcia-Aguilar J. In: Maingot’s Abdominal Operations. 12th ed. Jandial R, McCormick PC, Black PM, eds. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2013.

 

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Garcia-Aguilar’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

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.

Julio Garcia-Aguilar discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

  • Ethicon
    Provision of Services
  • Intuitive Surgical Inc.
    Ownership / Equity Interests; 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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