Richard J. Wong

Dr. Richard J. Wong is a Professor and Head and Neck Surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), with over 20 years of clinical and research experience. He serves as Chief of MSK's Head and Neck Service and holds the Jatin P. Shah Chair in Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology.

• Education: MD from Harvard Medical School
• Residency: Otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School
• Fellowship: Head and Neck Surgical Oncology at MSK
• Board Certified: Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Dr. Wong specializes in surgical treatment of thyroid cancer, oral cancer, salivary gland tumors, and other head and neck cancers. His research focuses on molecular and cellular interactions between tumors and nerves, aiming to identify novel molecular targets for improving patient outcomes. His lab is funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), supporting both clinical training and translational research.

His recent publications highlight tumor-nerve crosstalk mechanisms, including Schwann cell dynamics, chemokine signaling, and radiation effects on neural microenvironments. These works span disciplines like Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, and Molecular Oncology.

• Scientific Awards:
• Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctor (2025)
• Castle Connolly: Top AAPI Doctor (2024)
• New York Magazine: Top Doctors (2012-2022)
• America's Top Doctors for Cancer (book series, 8th-10th Editions)
• Castle Connolly America's Top Doctors (digital guide, 2016-2023)

Dr. Wong leads a multidisciplinary team of thirteen surgeons, collaborating with endocrinology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology specialists to individualize patient treatment plans. His work integrates surgical innovation with basic science research to address perineural invasion and recurrent thyroid cancer.