Skip to Main Content

Center for Thoracic Cancers Co-Directors

April 01, 2024
by Naedine Hazell

As our multidisciplinary cancer care models align to provide expert care to patients across all Smilow Cancer Hospital locations, the Center for Thoracic Cancers at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center expanded its leadership team.

Please welcome Sarah Goldberg, MD, MPH, and Justin Blasberg, MD, MPH, as Co-Directors of the Center. As Co-Directors, they will work closely with Dr. Katerina Politi, who will continue to serve as the leader for translational research in thoracic oncology. Drs. Goldberg and Blasberg will coordinate the efforts of a multidisciplinary leadership cabinet for the Center for Thoracic Cancers that will focus on developing specialty driven care, expanding clinical trial access, and leading implementation of thoracic oncology Care Signature pathways across the cancer care enterprise.

Dr. Goldberg is a prolific and renowned clinical investigator in lung cancer and brain metastases. She also serves as Chief of Thoracic Oncology and will concentrate her efforts on clinical research and our clinical trials portfolio. Dr. Blasberg is a national expert in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, and he has lead patient experience improvement efforts for the Yale School of Medicine Department of Surgery. He will partner closely with Dr. Goldberg on innovation and expansion of clinical services. We are grateful for the thoughtful leadership and contributions of Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, who has led the Center for Thoracic Centers since its inception, and Daniel Boffa, MD, MBA for his efforts, over the last several years. Their tireless efforts and commitment have led to great momentum for the Center for Thoracic Cancers. Both Dr. Herbst, who now has assumed the role as Deputy Director of the Cancer Center and continues to CO-Lead the Yale SPORE in Lung Cancer, and Dr. Boffa will remain important partners for the leadership of the Center as they advance strategic priorities in the coming years.


Direct Connect is a newsletter for the community of Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital.