Dr. Daniel G. Coit

Dr. Daniel G. Coit, MD, FACS, is a pioneering surgical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), renowned for his expertise in melanoma and complex gastrointestinal cancers. He earned his MD from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and completed surgical training at New England Deaconess Hospital and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, followed by a fellowship at MSKCC. He introduced lymph-node mapping and sentinel lymph-node biopsy for melanoma in 1991—a critical innovation that assesses cancer spread and spares patients unnecessary surgeries. Previously Chief of Gastric and Mixed Tumor Service, Dr. Coit now co-leads MSKCC’s Melanoma Disease Management Team and treats patients at both the main campus and regional facilities, offering care in both in-person and telehealth settings.

He is widely recognized for advancing diagnostic precision in melanoma and gastric oncology. His research focuses on detecting individual melanoma cells in sentinel nodes, blood, and bone marrow to better predict recurrence. Dr. Coit has also co-led national efforts in gastric cancer treatment, including chemotherapy timing and quality-of-life assessments in high-risk patients. His extensive publication record—encompassing over 500 peer-reviewed articles—includes key works on minimal-access surgery, biomarker-driven staging, and multidisciplinary tumor management.

Beyond his clinical and scholarly work, Dr. Coit is a dedicated educator and leader in surgical training. He directed MSKCC’s Surgical Oncology Fellowship program and chaired the Society of Surgical Oncology Training Committee in the 1990s, shaping surgical education nationwide. He plays an active role on national melanoma staging and gastric cancer guideline panels, including groups at the NCCN, AJCC, ACS, and WHO. Through his blend of surgical innovation, research leadership, and educational influence, Dr. Coit is consistently regarded as a top expert in melanoma and gastrointestinal cancer surgery.