The Lustgarten Foundation, the largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research in the world, has appointed Dr. Richard Barakatn, a world-renowned surgeon and clinical investigator who leads cancer services and research at Northwell Health Cancer Institute.
“We are honored to welcome Dr. Barakat to the Lustgarten Foundation Board of Directors,” said Linda Tantawi, CEO of the Lustgarten Foundation. “We stand on the precipice of exciting breakthroughs and lifesaving progress in pancreatic cancer research. With the addition of Dr. Barakat, we are confident that the Lustgarten Foundation will continue to lead the way toward transforming pancreatic cancer into a curable disease.”
Barakat is physician-in-chief and director of cancer at Northwell Health Cancer Institute. He was previously deputy physician in chief from 2014-2018 and chief of gynecology service from 2001-2013 at Memorial Sloan Kettering.
He was the lead investigator on several influential research projects at MSK and co-authored more than 340 peer-reviewed articles and numerous textbook chapters.
Barakat served as a member and examiner for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and was vice chair of the Cancer Prevention Committee of the Gynecologic Oncology Group.
He received his BA from Queens College, City University of New York, his MD from SUNY Downstate, and an MBA from the Columbia University School of Business.
“I am honored and excited about this appointment. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to diagnose and treat, and I am eager to join this incredible group of individuals dedicated to raising awareness, advancing care, and giving hope to so many,” said Barakat. “This is a personal privilege for me to help bring Northwell, the Lustgarten Foundation, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and all oncologists closer to our mutual goal: survivorship. Our combined efforts are essential not only to cure pancreatic cancer but to advance the fight against all cancers.”
The Lustgarten Foundation, Northwell Health, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have partnered for over a decade, creating a cornerstone of care dedicated to improving the understanding, detection, and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer represents only 3% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States each year, yet it is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths and is poised to become the second by 2030.
And, while the five-year survival rate for all stages combined has reached an unprecedented high of 13% – thanks to Lustgarten’s role as a driving force in every major advancement in pancreatic cancer research – this significantly lags behind all other major cancers.
The Lustgarten Foundation continues to pursue what matters most: changing, extending, and saving patients’ lives through our relentless focus on funding the boldest, most innovative studies, guided by our esteemed Board of Directors.
