Dr. Jatin Shah is a world-renowned surgical oncologist who has dedicated his career to advancing the field of head and neck cancer treatment. He currently serves as Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College and holds The Elliott W. Strong Chair in Head and Neck Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. After graduating from the Medical College of MS University in Baroda, India, he completed specialized training in Surgical Oncology and Head and Neck Surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Shah led the Head and Neck Service at MSKCC as Chief from 1992 to 2015, establishing one of the most respected programs in the field. With more than four decades of clinical experience, he has treated countless patients with complex head and neck malignancies while shaping the standard of care for generations of surgeons.
Dr. Shah's scholarly contributions have fundamentally transformed the approach to head and neck oncology, with his extensive body of work including 14 authoritative medical textbooks and over 670 peer-reviewed publications that have collectively garnered more than 77,000 citations. His research has established critical frameworks for the surgical management of oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, thyroid, and skull base cancers, significantly improving both survival rates and quality of life outcomes for patients. As the founder of the International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies in 1986, he created a global network that has standardized treatment protocols and fostered international collaboration in the field. His leadership in developing comprehensive staging systems and treatment guidelines has been adopted worldwide, making him instrumental in establishing evidence-based practices that continue to save lives across continents.
Beyond his clinical and research achievements, Dr. Shah has profoundly influenced the global head and neck oncology community through his leadership roles as past president of numerous prestigious organizations including The New York Cancer Society, The New York Head and Neck Society, and the International Academy of Oral Oncology. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, multiple institutions have established enduring tributes including The Jatin Shah Lectureship, an eponymous symposium at the American Head and Neck Society annual meeting, and The Jatin Shah Chair in Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology at MSKCC. Though he no longer performs surgery after more than 40 years of operating, he continues to provide expert consultations, guiding patients through complex treatment decisions and sharing his unparalleled wisdom with colleagues worldwide. His legacy as a mentor, educator, and visionary leader continues to shape the future of head and neck oncology as new generations of surgeons adopt and expand upon the standards he established.
