Rastko Rakočević, MD, MSc
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Areas of Expertise
Conditions I Treat
- Lung nodules
- Lung cancer
- Pleural effusion
My Specialties
- Robotic bronchoscopy
- Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
- Rigid bronchoscopy
Get to Know Me
I am an interventional pulmonologist specializing in minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for lung nodules, lung cancer, airway and pleural diseases.
I perform a full spectrum of procedures with the goal of providing precise, minimally invasive diagnostics and effective symptom relief, prioritizing patient safety and recovery. My expertise includes robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), rigid bronchoscopy, critical airway management, medical thoracoscopy (pleuroscopy), pleural catheter placement, and pleurodesis. I see patients at Memorial Hospital and the David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
When patients come to see me, they are often dealing with the uncertainty of a lung nodule, a possible cancer diagnosis, or persistent breathing difficulties. I understand that these concerns can be overwhelming, and I believe that clear communication and a patient-centered approach are essential in providing the best care.
My goal is to provide clear, evidence-based guidance, ensuring that my patients fully understand their condition and available treatment options, and feel empowered to make decisions about their health. By integrating cutting-edge technologies with a multidisciplinary approach, I strive to offer the most effective and least invasive solutions to improve outcomes and recovery.
Whether performing a complex procedure or discussing treatment options, my focus is always on delivering the most advanced care with compassion and transparency. Beyond my clinical work, my research focuses on improving lung cancer diagnostics and pleural disease management. I have been actively involved in studying the role of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy in lung nodule biopsy, enhancing the effectiveness of next-generation sequencing in non-small cell lung cancer, and management of pleural disease.
My work has been published in leading medical journals and has contributed to advancements in interventional pulmonology and thoracic oncology. I am also dedicated to medical education, teaching the next generation of physicians, and collaborating on national courses to improve procedural training.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my wonderful wife and two children, whether traveling together or simply appreciating the moments that bring balance to life. I have a deep appreciation for art and I find inspiration in creative expression. I also enjoy hiking and exploring nature, as well as biking, which provides both an active challenge and a way to clear my mind. These interests keep me grounded and bring a sense of perspective to my work in medicine.
I'm an interventional pulmonologist (IN-ter-VEN-shun-al pull-muh-NAHL-uh-jist) at MSK. This is a doctor with special training in treating lung problems, such as blocked airways, cancer, and tumors.
- Assistant Attending Physician, Director of Pleural Diseases
Conditions I Treat
- Lung nodules
- Lung cancer
- Pleural effusion
- Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP)
- Tracheal and bronchial cancers and conditions
- Benign tracheal and bronchial tumors
My Specialties
- Robotic bronchoscopy
- Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
- Rigid bronchoscopy
- Lymph node biopsy
- Lung biopsy
- Thoracoscopy
- Catheter placement
- Percutaneous tracheostomy
- Complex airway management
- Airway stents and dilation
- Endobronchial valves
- Laser bronchoscopy
- Ablation
Education
- MD, MSc, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine
Residencies
- Internal Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
- Chief Medical Resident, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Fellowships
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Southern California
- Chief Fellow, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Southern California
- Interventional Pulmonology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Awards and Honors
- Top Rapid-Fire Case Report Award, CHEST conference (2023)
- Om P. Sharma Clinical Excellence Award for Outstanding Service and Dedication to Research, University of Southern California (2023)
- Most Humanistic Resident, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (2019)
- Excellence in Clinical Skills, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (2018, 2019)
Insurance Information
Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS
In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
In Network Coverage Type
TBD
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO
In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
City Employee Health Plans (Gold and Gold Care)
In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental
In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO/EPO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
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Contact and Location
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Colleagues
Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.
Clinical Trials
Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.
You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.
Search clinical trialsResearch and Publications
Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Rakočević’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
See all on PubMedPatient Reviews
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Disclosures
Members of the MSK Community often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community. These activities outside of MSK further our mission, provide productive collaborations, and promote the practical application of scientific discoveries.
MSK requires doctors, faculty members, and leaders to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public. Not all disclosed interests and relationships present conflicts of interest. MSK reviews all disclosed interests and relationships to assess whether a conflict of interest exists and whether formal COI management is needed.
Rastko Rakočević discloses the following relationships and financial interests:
No disclosures meeting criteria for time period
If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.
The information published here is a complement to other publicly reported data and is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.
This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2024 through disclosure submission in spring 2025). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.
Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at ecoi@mskcc.org.