From Patient to Pioneer: Survivor to Lead Pediatric Cancer Division

NEW YORK, NY – March 27, 2026 – In a move that powerfully merges world-class scientific leadership with profound personal empathy, Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone has named Dr. Lisa G. Roth as the new Director of the Division of Pediatric Hematology–Oncology. A nationally recognized physician-scientist, Dr. Roth is not only a leading expert in childhood lymphomas but also a lymphoma survivor herself, bringing a unique and deeply informed perspective to one of the nation's top pediatric cancer programs.

Dr. Roth’s appointment marks a homecoming. A graduate of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, she returns to the institution that launched her medical career after a distinguished tenure at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. There, she directed the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Lymphoma Program and led a robust, NIH-funded research laboratory. Her return to NYU Langone and its Perlmutter Cancer Center is being hailed as a significant step forward for pediatric cancer care in New York and beyond.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Roth back to NYU Langone and look forward to the leadership, innovation, and momentum she will bring to the division,” said Dr. Arun Chopra, interim chair of the Department of Pediatrics. “As an expert in caring for children with cancer and an accomplished researcher, she will help us continue advancing new treatments while supporting children and their families at every step of care.”

A Leader Forged by Experience

Dr. Roth’s approach to medicine is shaped not only by her extensive training but by her own battle with cancer. In 2013, shortly after completing her fellowship, she was diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin lymphoma—one of the very diseases she specializes in treating. This experience provided her with an intimate understanding of the patient journey, an insight that has become the bedrock of her clinical philosophy.

“My own experience as a cancer patient reinforced how important it is to care for the whole person, not just the disease,” said Dr. Roth. This philosophy emphasizes a holistic model that addresses the emotional, educational, and social needs of young patients and their families, a mission that aligns perfectly with the foundational principles of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital.

The hospital’s Sala Institute for Child & Family Centered Care has long pioneered programs that support this vision. Patients at the Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders have access to a multidisciplinary team that includes not just doctors and nurses, but also child life specialists, art and music therapists, psychologists, and on-site educators. Dr. Roth's leadership is expected to further enrich these programs, ensuring that cutting-edge medical treatment is always delivered with a compassionate, human-centered touch.

Advancing the Frontier of Lymphoma Research

Beyond her unique personal perspective, Dr. Roth brings formidable scientific expertise. Her research focuses on unraveling the molecular complexities of lymphomas in children, adolescents, and young adults (AYA)—a group whose cancers can have distinct biological features. Her lab has made significant contributions, including a landmark whole-genome sequencing study of Hodgkin lymphoma that revealed key differences in the disease across age groups.

Her work, supported by prestigious grants from the National Institutes of Health, aims to move beyond traditional chemotherapy. She investigates novel, targeted therapies and immunotherapies, including treatments for aggressive Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-associated lymphomas. As a leader within the Children's Oncology Group (COG), where she served as vice chair of the Hodgkin Lymphoma Committee, she has helped spearhead national and international clinical trials designed to improve outcomes while reducing the long-term toxicities of treatment, such as eliminating radiation for some patients.

“Dr. Roth brings remarkable expertise and leadership in pediatric cancer care and research,” said Dr. Anirban Maitra, director of NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center. “Her arrival strengthens our adolescent and young adult program’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge treatments and advancing discoveries that will improve outcomes for children and young adults with cancer.”

In her new role, Dr. Roth will oversee the division’s clinical, research, and educational programs, working in partnership with Dr. Gabriel A. Robbins, the center's medical director. Her focus will be on expanding access to advanced therapies and pioneering new clinical trials, ensuring that patients at Hassenfeld receive the most innovative care available.

Building on a Legacy of Excellence

Dr. Roth’s appointment is the latest chapter in the institution’s long history of leadership in pediatric oncology. She succeeds Dr. Elizabeth A. Raetz, who led the division with distinction for eight years. A nationally renowned expert in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Dr. Raetz is highly respected for her leadership within the COG and her role in advancing life-saving clinical trials. She has transitioned into a new, broader leadership position as Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs in the Department of Pediatrics, a testament to her profound impact on the institution.

“Dr. Raetz’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the health and safety of her patients, staff, and colleagues have been unparalleled,” Dr. Chopra noted, highlighting the strategic continuity of the transition. “As she assumes her new role as vice chair, we extend our sincere appreciation for her outstanding service and continued dedication to advancing clinical care across the department.”

This seamless leadership succession underscores NYU Langone’s deep commitment to maintaining and building upon its position at the forefront of pediatric medicine. Dr. Roth inherits a strong, vibrant program and is poised to elevate it to new heights, blending her innovative research agenda with the institution’s established excellence in patient care.

“I'm honored to return to NYU Langone and work alongside an exceptional team committed to advancing research while providing compassionate care and support to children, young adults, and their families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” Dr. Roth stated. For the young patients facing a cancer diagnosis, her arrival signals a future where the person leading their care understands their fight on every possible level—as a brilliant scientist, a dedicated physician, and a fellow survivor.