Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) announced that Cardinale Smith, MD, PhD, has joined the institution as the inaugural Chief Medical Officer (CMO). In this role, Dr. Smith oversees clinical quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance, and works with faculty and care teams to advance clinical operations across the institution.
Dr. Smith is a nationally recognized thoracic medical oncologist, health services research scientist, and palliative medicine expert. She specializes in treating all forms of lung cancer, including small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and thymoma. As a specialist in palliative medicine, a field of clinical care that focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life for patients, Dr. Smith is deeply committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care that aligns with patients’ values and goals.
As CMO, Dr. Smith leads efforts to ensure operational excellence and safety across MSK. She focuses on maintaining and advancing the institution’s high standards of clinical care, while supporting the work of doctors, nurses, advanced practice providers, and non-clinical staff. She also continues to see patients and conduct research.
“Dr. Smith brings an extraordinary combination of clinical expertise, leadership, and a strong commitment to health equity research,” said Shelly Anderson, MPM, Hospital President at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “Her passion for patient-centered care and operational excellence is a tremendous asset as we continue to elevate the quality and accessibility of cancer care.”
Dr. Smith’s background is deeply rooted in advocacy and equity. Inspired by her mother’s unfulfilled dream of becoming a physician, she has dedicated her career to advancing health equity. Her research, including work funded by the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Health Research Center, focuses on reducing barriers to care and improving outcomes through novel models of care delivery and more effective communication between patients and physicians.
“I am honored to step into the role of Chief Medical Officer at MSK,” said Dr. Smith. “As a global leader in cancer care and research, we are uniquely positioned at MSK to shape the future of how cancer care is delivered. In this role, my mission is to ensure that every patient receives the safest, highest-quality care, and that every member of our staff is empowered to deliver on that promise.”
Dr. Smith earned her MD from Drexel University College of Medicine and PhD from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and most recently served as Chief Medical Officer for the Tisch Cancer Hospital and Vice President of Cancer Clinical Affairs at Mount Sinai and Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology) and Professor of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Dr. Smith is active in ASCO as a volunteer currently serving as a member of the nominating committee and Chair of the ASCO Annual Meeting Education Program Committee. As Chair, she leads the strategic development of educational content for the world’s premier oncology conference. In alignment with this year’s Presidential theme, “Driving Knowledge to Action: Building a Better Future,” Dr. Smith has worked collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to curate a program that translates the latest scientific discoveries into meaningful, practice-changing insights and addresses the evolving needs of cancer care professionals worldwide.
Dr. Smith lives in Westchester and has three children.
Contact
Andrea Fassacesia
fassaca1@mskcc.org