This Spotlight honors Robin Mendelsohn, MD, clinical director of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Services, and associate professor of clinical medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in New York City. Dr. Mendelsohn’s interest in nutrition was solidify after she had 6 months of nutrition focus in her GI fellowship at MSK. Today, she runs the nutrition services at MSK and offers a dedicated nutrition fellowship. She notes that when she first started, obesity management was not a focus when treating cancer patients even though obesity is a risk factor for so many cancers. But now patients are living longer with cancer and obesity management is incorporated into the treatment.

Dr. Mendelsohn is also co-director at the Center of Young Onset Colorectal Cancer where they provide coordinated care for patients under 50 years of age. She says many want to learn how nutrition can get them through treatment and survivorship. She’s doing research to see why colorectal cancer is increasing in younger people, it’s if caused by diet and/or environment.

Physician Spotlight is a forum for outstanding Senior Leaders, Young Rising Stars and International Colleagues in the field of nutrition to discuss important topics and ideas that impact patient care. Visit the ASPEN Physician Community at www.nutritioncare.org/physicians

June 2021