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Nita Ahuja, MD, General Surgery, New Haven, CT, Yale-New Haven Hospital

NitaAhujaMD

General Surgery • New Haven, CT

Colon & Rectal Surgery, Hepatobiliary Surgery, Pancreas, Surgical Oncology (Other than Breast)

William H. Carmalt Professor of Surgery Chair, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine Surgeon-in-Chief, Yale New Haven Hospital Interim Cancer Center Director, Yale Cancer Center Interim Physician-in-chief, Smilow Cancer Hospital and ambulatory care centers Yale New Haven Health Board Chair, Yale Medicine Faculty Practice Plan

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Summary

  • In February 2018, Dr. Nita Ahuja became the first female chair of the Department of Surgery at Yale School of Medicine in its 200 year history. A world-renowned surgical oncologist and clinician scientist, Dr. Ahuja has developed an international reputation for the management of gastrointestinal cancers and sarcomas, as well as for her seminal research in cancer epigenetics. Dr. Ahuja was recruited to Yale from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she served as division chief of surgical oncology, vice chair of academic affairs and associate director of surgical oncology of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Ahuja is a passionate advocate for her patients and a champion of multidisciplinary care. Her NIH-funded laboratory focuses on developing novel cancer therapies and predictive biomarkers for colorectal and pancreas cancers. An elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, she has published over 250 papers and book chapters contributing to the fields of both clinical surgery and translational science. Her vision for Yale Surgery—to lead as the preeminent academic surgical department, supported by excellence in clinical care, research, and education—is founded on the core values of collaboration and caring.

Education & Training

  • Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business
    Johns Hopkins Carey School of BusinessMBA, Executive Masters in Business Administration, 2014 - 2016
  • Johns Hopkins University
    Johns Hopkins UniversityMBA, 2014 - 2016
  • Johns Hopkins University
    Johns Hopkins UniversityResidency, Surgery, 1993 - 2002
  • Duke University School of Medicine
    Duke University School of MedicineClass of 1993
  • University of Maryland, College Park
    University of Maryland, College ParkB.S., Biology, Magna Cum Laude, 1985 - 1989
  • University of Maryland, College Park
    University of Maryland, College ParkB.S., Mathematics, Cum Laude, 1985 - 1989

Certifications & Licensure

  • CT State Medical License
    CT State Medical License 2018 - 2025
  • MD State Medical License
    MD State Medical License 1997 - 2024
  • American Board of Surgery Surgery

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • National Acadeny of Medicine 2019
  • Regional Top Docs Castle Connolly, 2017
  • Exceptional Women in Medicine Castle Connolly, 2017
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Clinical Trials

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • A Novel Epigenetic Modulating Agent Sensitizes Pancreatic Cells to a Chemotherapy Agent  
    Nita Ahuja, MD, PLoS One
  • Management of metastatic retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS): a consensus approach from the Transatlantic RPS working group  
    TARPSWG Working Group, Ann Oncol, 1/7/2018
  • Differential expression of the hENT1 and hENT2 in colon cancer cell lines  
    Liu Y, Zuo T, Zhu X, Ahuja N, Fu T, Genet Mol Res, 1/16/2017
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Books/Book Chapters

  • Surgical Clinics of North America 
    Chapter: Genomics of Peritoneal Malignancies 
    Karunasena E, Sham J, McMahon KW and Ahuja N2017
  • Living with Colorectal Cancer 
    Nita Ahuja and Brenda Smith
  • Surgical Clinics of North America 
    Chapter: Personalized Approaches to Gastrointestinal Cancers 
    Page 1081 - 1094He J and Ahuja N2015
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Abstracts/Posters

  • Clinical characterization of pancreatic sarcoma: a longitudinal single institution experience.
    De Carvalho Fischer CV, Overton HN, Wolfgang CL, Meyer C, Johnston FM, Ahuja N, Academic Surgical Congress, 1/1/2017
  • Cancer independently worsens and increases variability of short term surgical outcomes.
    Leeds IL, Efron JE, Ahuja N, Haut ER, Johnston FM, Academic Surgical Congress, 1/1/2017
  • The utility of Twitter in generating high-quality conversations about surgical care.
    Nagarajan N, Alshaikh H, Nastasi A, Smart B, Berger Z, Schneider EB, Dredze M, Canner JK, Ahuja N, Academic Surgical Congress, 1/1/2017
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Lectures

  • Examining burnout across campus: A comparison of basic science and clinical faculty. 
    1/1/2018
  • Surgery Issues Affecting the Survivorship Experience. 
    Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD - 1/28/2017
  • Role of Surgeon-Scientist in Team Science. 
    Farmington, CT - 1/16/2017
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Other

  • More Surgeons must start doing basic science. (Citing #143 Keswani et al. Ann Surg) 
    Ahuja N, Nature Editorial
    1/21/2017
  • The Rise of Female Surgeons at Johns Hopkins. 
    Ahuja N, Johns Hopkins Dome Newsletter
    1/1/2017
  • Methylation panel predicts RCC outcomes. 
    Ahuja N, Nature Reviews Urology ((publication #146)
    1/2/2016
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Press Mentions

  • 2023 ‘Top Doctors’ List Features Over 250 Yale Medicine Physicians
    2023 ‘Top Doctors’ List Features Over 250 Yale Medicine PhysiciansMay 3rd, 2023
  • Connecticut Magazine’s 2023 “Top Doctors” Issue Recognizes 82 Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center Physicians
    Connecticut Magazine’s 2023 “Top Doctors” Issue Recognizes 82 Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center PhysiciansMay 1st, 2023
  • Delayed, Disrespected and Deadnamed: Transgender Students Face Barriers to Healthcare at Yale
    Delayed, Disrespected and Deadnamed: Transgender Students Face Barriers to Healthcare at YaleApril 28th, 2023
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Grant Support

  • Epigenetic Markers Involved In Colorectal Cancer Recurrence And MetastasesNational Cancer Institute2008–2011

Committees

  • Council of Faculty and Academic Societies, Association of American Medical Colleges 2013 - Present
  • National Member, Commission on Cancer
  • Society of University Surgeons, Basic Science Committee

Professional Memberships

Hospital Affiliations

External Links

Dr. Nita Ahuja, Dr. Nita Ahuja, MD, Dr. N Ahuja