Dr. Beryl McCormick

Dr. Beryl McCormick, MD, is a radiation oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, practicing at Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth in New Jersey as part of a multidisciplinary team that cares for approximately 350 patients each year. She has been affiliated with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center since 1974, when she joined as a resident, with the exception of an 18-month period in the early 1980s when she worked at Albert Einstein Hospital to gain experience in breast conservation techniques. Her path to medicine began early, shaped by personal experiences with illness and a family doctor whose house calls left a lasting impression on her. Her interest in radiation oncology grew out of medical school research on childhood leukemia and a natural affinity for math and physics, the scientific foundations of the field.

Dr. McCormick is widely recognized for her contributions to refining radiation therapy techniques in breast cancer care. She has advanced the use of radiation delivered in the prone position, with patients lying face-down, a method that improves long-term cosmetic outcomes while reducing exposure to the heart and lungs. Her research has examined the effectiveness of radiation versus observation in patients with low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and she has contributed to approaches that omit radiation therapy for select older women with low-risk disease. Her newest research investigates whether breast radiation after surgery affects patients' ability to exercise. She served for over 20 years on the breast committee for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines panel, was a former chair of the Breast Program Committee for the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and served as former Chairman of the Breast Committee for the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Cooperative Group. She has also written extensively on both breast and eye cancers.

Known for her warm, patient-centered approach, Dr. McCormick places a strong emphasis on clear communication, making it a priority to ensure that every patient leaves her office with a better understanding of their diagnosis and treatment plan. She draws on evidence from thousands of patients who have participated in clinical trials to reassure patients about the effectiveness of their therapy, and takes care to address the practical questions and concerns that patients commonly bring to her. Outside of her clinical and research work, she enjoys needlepoint, knitting, gardening, and traveling with her family.