Dr. Mark David Hurwitz, M.D., FASTRO, FACRO

Clinical Trials

• Telehealth in Improving Quality of Life in Patients During Post Radiation Therapy Visits
• Radiation Therapy and MK-3475 for Patients With Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer, Renal Cell Cancer, Melanoma, and Lung Cancer
• Circulating Tumor DNA in Predicting Outcomes in Patients With Stage IV Head and Neck Cancer or Stage III-IV Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
• TheraSphere for the Treatment of Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Media Releases

Renowned Leader in Radiation Oncology Advancing Patient Care and Academic Excellence

For decades, Mark David Hurwitz, M.D., FASTRO, FACRO has stood at the forefront of cancer care innovation. Now, as Chair of the Department of Radiation Medicine at Westchester Medical Center Health and Professor of Radiation Oncology at New York Medical College, Dr. Hurwitz continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in oncology, precision therapy, and patient-centered care.

A physician with unmatched credentials, Dr. Hurwitz brings more than 25 years of leadership across top-tier academic and clinical institutions, including Harvard Medical School and Thomas Jefferson University. Yet his journey—from biology undergraduate at Franklin and Marshall College to leading global cancer trials—is marked not just by titles, but by transformation.

Known internationally for advancing prostate cancer treatment, Dr. Hurwitz was a key pioneer in intraoperative brachytherapy, an approach that shifted prostate cancer care from pre-planned to real-time precision. His leadership in thermal oncology—especially MRI-guided focused ultrasound—helped secure FDA approval for a noninvasive method to ease metastatic bone pain, offering hope to patients for whom conventional treatments had failed.

Dr. Hurwitz completed his Bachelor of Arts in Biology at Franklin & Marshall College, followed by earning his Doctor of Medicine at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. His medical journey continued with an internal medicine internship at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, leading into a rigorous residency in radiation oncology at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he excelled as Chief Resident. His dedication to healthcare leadership and quality is further exemplified by his completion of post-doctoral training through the prestigious Brigham & Women’s Physician Leadership Program at Harvard Business School and the Thomas Jefferson Quality and Safety Physician Leadership Program.

Prior to joining Westchester Medical Center, Dr. Hurwitz held multiple influential roles at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, including Enterprise Quality and Safety Officer for the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center-Jefferson Health, and Professor and Vice Chair for quality, safety, and performance excellence in the Department of Radiation Oncology. He also previously led the Regional Program Development for the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Hurwitz’s contributions to the field of radiation oncology are noteworthy, having played a pivotal role in establishing the first national radiation oncology patient safety organization. He has been instrumental in translating biological and technological advancements into clinical practice, both nationally and internationally. His leadership in groundbreaking trials for prestigious National Cancer Institute-sponsored cooperative research groups, including Cancer and Leukemia Group B, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, and NRG Oncology, showcases his commitment to advancing cancer treatment.

A Fellow of both the American Society for Radiation Oncology and the American College of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Hurwitz has also served as the 24th president of the Society for Thermal Medicine. With more than 100 published research journal articles to his name, he currently serves as Associate Editor for the International Journal of Hyperthermia and the American Journal of Medical Quality.

In his role at Westchester Medical Center Health, Dr. Hurwitz, along with the department faculty, has successfully recruited a team of world-class physicians, each with specialized expertise in their respective subfields.  He oversees clinical operations, quality improvement, and strategic expansion in radiation oncology services across the Hudson Valley. As Chair at New York Medical College, he is spearheading curriculum innovation, interdisciplinary education, and research collaboration that reflects the evolving landscape of oncologic science.

From pioneering the early implementation of IMRT in regional practice to developing advanced genitourinary oncology protocols and mentoring generations of students, Dr. Hurwitz’s impact spans the clinic, the classroom, and national policy boards.

As the global cancer community faces increasing demands for personalization, equity, and efficacy in care delivery, Dr. Hurwitz’s appointment reaffirms a bold commitment: to lead not only with expertise but with vision.

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