Dr. Rachel Hughes Rodriguez

Rachel Marie Hughes Rodriguez, MD

Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Pediatric cancers
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Get to Know Me

I’m a pediatric hematologist-oncologist on the MSK Kids team who conducts research to improve the care of children with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that develops in a part of the peripheral nervous system called the sympathetic nervous system.

I also treat kids with other types of cancer. MSK Kids treats more children with neuroblastoma than any other center in the country. I see patients at Memorial Hospital, which is the main hospital at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).

I chose pediatric cancer research because I find it very inspiring. I have always enjoyed caring for patients but I also have a passion for research. This is where progress against cancer happens. The research we do can ultimately help patients.

In my research, I am looking at a new way to monitor children for whom neuroblastoma has returned after they complete treatment. Right now, these children must get imaging scans every three months, and that can be a burden. Sometimes the child needs anesthesia to help them stay still during the scan. These scans may also expose the child to radiation, which we want to limit over time.

My team and I are assessing a test called liquid biopsy to look for little pieces of DNA in the blood that suggest the cancer may have returned after a child has completed treatment. This blood test is already being used in adults with some types of cancers, and our study testing its use in children with neuroblastoma is promising. We hope that a test like this could either give us more information than a scan, or even replace the need for routine surveillance scans.

The children I care for drive my passion for research. When I first meet a new patient and their family, I try to meet them where they are. I try not to make assumptions about what they know or feel. I make it clear that we are all on the same team and we’re going to get them through treatment. It’s not usually a straight or easy path — there are many highs and lows. But no matter how hard it gets, I let them know we’ll be with them every step of the way.

What I Do at MSK

I'm a pediatric hematologist-oncologist, which is a doctor who treats cancers and blood diseases in children, adolescents, and young adults.

  • Clinical Instructor
Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Pediatric cancers
Education & Honors

Education

  • MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
  • Bachelor of Science, New York University

Residencies

  • Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine

Fellowships

  • Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Pediatrics

Awards and Honors

  • Chief Fellow, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (2024-2025)

Insurance Information

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If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.

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Current Patients
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Contact and Location

Location
New York, NY
1275 York Avenue New York NY 10065

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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

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Hughes Rodriguez’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