Dr. Dawn L. Hershman

Dr. Dawn L. Hershman, MD, MS, is a nationally recognized medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer and cancer survivorship. She serves as Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, where she is also Leader of the Breast Cancer Program and Director of the Breast Cancer Research Program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Hershman earned her medical degree from The Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed her residency in internal medicine at Montefiore Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in hematology and oncology at Columbia University. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology and is widely known for her research on improving the quality, safety, and equity of cancer care.

Dr. Hershman’s research integrates clinical trials, observational studies, and health services research to optimize outcomes for patients with breast cancer. She has led investigations into treatment adherence, toxicity management, and disparities in care delivery, with a focus on endocrine therapy adherence in hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. Her work has also explored integrative medicine, supportive care interventions, and patient-reported outcomes, shaping guidelines for survivorship care. She has served as principal investigator for numerous NCI- and PCORI-funded studies, influencing national policies on cancer treatment quality and access.

A respected academic leader, Dr. Hershman chairs the SWOG Cancer Research Network’s Cancer Care Delivery Committee and has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed publications. She is a sought-after mentor for early-career investigators and an advocate for patient-centered research. Her commitment to bridging clinical research with real-world practice has made her a driving force in shaping modern breast cancer care and survivorship programs.