Theodore Welling, MD, General Surgery, New York, NY, NYU Langone Hospitals

TheodoreHobartWellingMD

General Surgery • New York, NY

Hepatobiliary Surgery, Pancreas, Transplantation

Associate Professor, Surgery, NYU Langone Health

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Overview of Dr. Welling

During residency, I was drawn to the specialty of hepatobiliary and pancreatic oncology—the treatment of cancers that affect the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas—and liver transplantation, which led me to pursue a fellowship in transplantation. I chose to focus specifically on hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, and today, my interest in hepatobiliary and pancreatic oncology clinical care and research continues to grow.

As director of the Liver Tumor Program, my aim is to establish a multidisciplinary approach to treating people who have liver cancer. Together, we are a team of hepatobiliary surgeons, gastrointestinal medical oncologists, hepatologists, interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, and nurses, who collaborate to provide the highest level of care. We manage cancers that originate in the liver and bile ducts, as well as cancers that spread to the liver.

I also participate in a multidisciplinary pancreatic cancer program. We develop innovative strategies to allow more patients to ultimately undergo surgical resection.

I conduct translational research and clinical research that is primarily focused on liver cancer. I also collaborate with other researchers to identify new areas of biology to target therapeutically and ways to optimize existing therapies. The results of our recent study led to FDA approval for nivolumab, a targeted drug that shrinks liver tumors or slows their growth by activating the immune system.

I am a member of the ACS, ILCA, ASCO, ASTS, AASLD, and AHPBA.

Education & Training

  • University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers
    University of Michigan Hospitals and Health CentersFellowship, Transplant Surgery, 2005 - 2007
  • University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers
    University of Michigan Hospitals and Health CentersResidency, General Surgery, 1999 - 2005
  • University of Michigan Medical School
    University of Michigan Medical SchoolClass of 1999
  • University of Michigan RackhamMasters, 1992 - 1994
  • University of MichiganB.S., Biology, 1987 - 1991

Certifications & Licensure

  • NY State Medical License
    NY State Medical License 2017 - 2023
  • MI State Medical License
    MI State Medical License 2005 - 2018
  • American Board of Surgery Surgery

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • CMS Meaningful Use Stage 1 Certification EpicCare Ambulatory EMR, Epic Systems Corporation, 2012-2013
  • Translational Research Award Society of University Surgeons, 2010
  • Finalist, AAS Joel J. Roslyn Faculty Research Award 2009
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Clinical Trials

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • Nivolumab in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (Checkmate 040): results of phase 1/2 dose escalation and expansion  
    El-Khoueiry AB, Sangro B, Yau T, Crocenzi TS, Kudo M, Hsu C, Kim T, Choo S, Trojan J, Welling TH, Meyer T, Kang Y, Yeo W, Chopra A, Anderson J, dela Cruz C, Lang L, Ne..., The Lancet, 1/1/2017
  • Non-invasive liver ablation using histotripsy: preclinical safety study in an in vivo porcine model  
    Vlaisavljevich, E, Gabe O, Lundt M, Teofilovic D, Ives K, Duryea A, Bertolina J, Welling TH, Zhen X, Ultrasound Med Biol, 1/1/2017
  • Individualized adaptive stereotactic body radiotherapy for liver tumors in patients at high risk for liver damage: A phase 2 clinical trial  
    Feng M, Suresh K, Schipper MJ, Bazzi L, Ben-Josef E, Matuszak MM, Parikh ND, Welling TH, Normolle D, Ten Haken RK, Lawrence TS, JAMA Oncol, 1/1/2017
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Books/Book Chapters

  • Operative Techniques in Transplantation Surgery 
    Chapter: "Hepatic Artery Reconstruction During Liver Transplantation." 
    Mathur AK and Welling THEditors: Englesbe MA and Mulholland MW.Wolters Kluwer Health2015
  • Developments in T Cell Based Cancer Immunotherapies 
    Chapter: "T Cell Fate in the Tumor Microenvironment." 
    Crespo J, Kryczek I, Welling T, Wei S, and Zou WEditors: Ascierto PA, Stroncek DF, and Wang E.Springer International Publishing2015
  • Greenfield's Surgery: Scientific Principles and Practice 
    Chapter: "Hepatic Transplantation." 
    Welling TH, Pelletier SJEditors: Mulholland MW, Lillemoe KD, Doherty GM, Simeone DS, and Upchurch GJ.Lippincott Williams & WilkinsEdition 5th,2011
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Abstracts/Posters

  • Nivolumab in sorafenib-naive and-experienced patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): survival, hepatic safety, and biomarker assessments in CheckMate 040.
    Sangro B, Crocenzi TS, Yau T, Melero I, Welling TH, Kudo M, Hsu C, Trojan J, Kim T, Choo S, Meyer T, Kang Y, Yeo W, Chopra A, Baakili A, dela Cruz C, Lang L, Neely J, ..., American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases Annual Meeting, Presidential Plenary: Clinical Session, 1/23/2017
  • Nivolumab in sorafenib-experienced patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with or without chronic viral hepatitis: Checkmate 040 study.
    Sangro B, Yau T, Hsu C, Kudo M, Crocenzi TS, Choo S, Meyer T, Welling TH, Yeo W, Chopra A, Baakili A, dela Cruz C, Lang L, Neely J, Melero I, El-Khoueiry AB, and Trojan J, The International Liver Congress (EASL), Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1/21/2017
  • Nivolumab dose escalation and expansion in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: the checkmate 040 study.
    Melero I, Sangro B, Yau T, Hsu C, Kudo M, Crocenzi TS, Kim T, Choo S, Trojan J, Meyer T, Welling TH, Yeo W, Chopra A, Anderson J, Delacruz C, Lang L, Neely J, Tang H, ..., American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, San Francisco, CA, 1/19/2017
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Lectures

  • A phase II, randomized, controlled trial of nivolumab in combination with BMS-986253 or cabiralizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. 
    ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium - San Francisco, CA - 1/24/2020
  • "Surgical Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma" 
    Princeton Pike, NJ - 1/12/2017
  • "Tumor Associated Macrophages and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression" 
    University of Michigan - 1/21/2016
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Other

  • Current issues in liver transplantation with hepatitis C. 
    Welling TH, The Immunology Report
    1/1/2007

Press Mentions

  • New Program Targets Cancers Affecting the Liver and Bile Ducts
    New Program Targets Cancers Affecting the Liver and Bile DuctsNovember 7th, 2017

Grant Support

  • Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer Stem Cells in Liver CancerDepartment of Defense2017–2020

Professional Memberships

Hospital Affiliations

Insurance Accepted

  • Aetna Choice POS II
    BCBS Blue Card PPO
    BCBS Illinois PPO
    CIGNA HMO
    CIGNA Open Access
    CIGNA PPO
    Cofinity PPO
    Humana ChoiceCare Network PPO
    Multiplan PHCS PPO
    Multiplan PPO
    United Healthcare - Direct Choice Plus POS
    United Healthcare - Direct Options PPO
  • Please verify your coverage with the provider's office directly when scheduling an appointment

Dr. Theodore Welling, Dr. Theodore Welling, MD, Dr. T Welling, Dr. Theodore Hobart Welling