Dr. Julio Garcia Aguilar

Dr. Julio Garcia-Aguilar, MD, PhD, is a highly distinguished colorectal surgeon renowned for his expertise in organ-preserving approaches to rectal cancer. He serves as Chief of the Colorectal Service and holds the Benno C. Schmidt Chair in Surgical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Garcia-Aguilar received his medical degree and PhD from the Complutense University of Madrid, followed by surgical residency at Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and fellowship training in colon and rectal surgery at the University of Minnesota. Board-certified in general and colorectal surgery, he has dedicated his career to redefining standards of care for colorectal cancer through innovation and evidence-based practice.

Dr. Garcia-Aguilar is internationally regarded for his pioneering work in total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) and watch-and-wait protocols, offering patients non-operative management options with curative intent. His research has helped demonstrate that rectal cancer patients who achieve a complete response to chemoradiation may be safely monitored without immediate surgery, preserving quality of life and organ function. He has led several multicenter clinical trials supported by the National Cancer Institute and has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications that have shaped national and international guidelines for rectal cancer treatment.

In addition to his clinical and research achievements, Dr. Garcia-Aguilar is a devoted mentor and educator. He plays a pivotal role in training surgical oncology fellows and advancing interdisciplinary collaboration in cancer care. He is an active member of numerous professional societies, including the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. Through his commitment to innovation, research excellence, and patient-centered care, Dr. Garcia-Aguilar continues to be a transformative figure in the evolution of colorectal cancer treatment.