Dr. David R. Jones

Dr. Jones leads MSK’s Thoracic Service, where he integrates high-volume surgical care with translational research aimed at reducing recurrence after resection of lung and esophageal cancers. His laboratory interrogates gene-protein networks that drive early metastasis, work that underpins biomarker-guided trials of neoadjuvant immunotherapy and targeted agents. Colleagues credit him with advancing video-assisted and robotic techniques that minimize tissue trauma while preserving oncologic margins, innovations he disseminates through AATS master classes and peer-reviewed surgical atlases.

 

Beyond the operating room, Dr. Jones shapes national policy as current Vice President of the AATS and Chair of its Thoracic Surgery Oncology Group, which harmonizes multicenter protocols for resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). He also serves on the STS guideline panel for oligometastatic NSCLC, helping craft evidence-based recommendations on resection, stereotactic radiation, and systemic therapy. His editorial roles at The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery and participation in IASLC classification studies further extend his influence on global thoracic-oncology standards.

 

Clinical encounters emphasize clear, jargon-free explanations that accommodate varied educational backgrounds. Multidisciplinary conferences convene surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, and palliative-care specialists to craft individualized plans balancing cure potential, functional preservation, and quality of life. Patients gain prompt access to prospective trials and enhanced-recovery pathways, outcomes that reflect Dr. Jones’s commitment to data-driven quality improvement and transparent shared decision-making.