Joseph Michael Herman, MD

Joseph Herman, MD, is vice chair of clinical informatics for radiation oncology and director of clinical research at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute. He treats primarily gastrointestinal cancers, with a focus on liver, colorectal and pancreatic tumors. He specializes in using stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), a highly precise form of treatment that is frequently combined with targeted drugs and immunotherapy.

“I aim to provide care that I would want for my own family members,” says Dr. Herman. Giving patients ready access to cutting-edge treatment through clinical trials is integral to this approach. His care plans are rooted in the latest evidence-based medicine and research. He is a principal investigator for several institutional gastrointestinal cancer studies and is a co-investigator and the radiation oncology lead for the Alliance in Clinical Trials in Oncology borderline resectable pancreatic cancer study.

Dr. Herman earned his medical degree and a master’s in epidemiology and preventive medicine from the University of Maryland at Baltimore and completed his residency in radiation oncology at the University of Michigan Health System. He also holds a master’s in healthcare management from the Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business.

At Northwell, he enjoys fostering a collaborative approach to care. “I engage our entire multidisciplinary team to ensure we agree upon a clear, coordinated treatment plan for each patient through their entire trajectory of care,” says Dr. Herman. He regularly works with pathologists, radiologists, medical oncologists, and surgical oncologists.

Dr. Herman has published more than 250 articles in prestigious, peer-reviewed journals and is a frequent presenter at national cancer medical meetings. His professional memberships include the American Society of Radiation Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Association of Cancer Research, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and the American College of Radiology. He also received award funding to establish the Canopy Cancer Collective, a non-profit learning health network of cancer centers devoted to the care of people with pancreatic cancer.

For Dr. Herman, striving for continued improvements in cancer care is one of the most rewarding parts of his job. “While we’ve made great progress, there is still so much more work to be done,” he says. “I’m committed to the pursuit of curing cancer and doing so in a way that maintains a person’s quality of life.”