Dr. Robert Korst

Doctor Overview

Dr. Robert J. Korst is a board-certified thoracic surgeon and surgical oncologist. He has nearly three decades of experience treating complex chest diseases, like pleural mesothelioma. He currently treats patients at Valley Health System, which has an alliance with Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Dr. Korst is the chief of oncology surgical services and director of thoracic surgery at this facility. He also leads advanced minimally invasive surgical programs here. He previously practiced at prestigious hospitals, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical.

Dr. Korst has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed medical publications. He has presented at dozens of national and international scientific meetings. His clinical and research interests include thoracic oncology and improving surgery techniques.

Doctor Fast Facts

Main Specialty: Thoracic Surgical Oncology

Other Interests & Specialties: Barrett's esophagus, endoscopic submucosal resection for early esophageal tumors, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, mediastinal tumors, mesothelioma, minimally invasive lung and esophageal cancer surgery, pleural tumors, pneumonectomy, thymoma and VATS lobectomy.

Certifications, Awards & Accolades: American Board Certifications in Surgery and Thoracic Surgery

Education & Experience:

• Medical Degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine
• Internship in General Surgery at Hartford Hospital
• Residency in General Surgery at the University of Connecticut Health Center
• Fellowship in Thoracic Surgery at Cornell New York Hospital
• Fellowship at the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute

Publications

Emphysema at Baseline Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Predicts Death from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Cardiovascular Disease Up to 25 Years Later. Radiology. 2025 Sep;316(3):e250949.

Prospective Cohort Study to Compare Long-Term Lung Cancer-Specific and All-Cause Survival of Clinical Early Stage (T1a-b; ≤20 mm) NSCLC Treated by Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy and Surgery. J Thorac Oncol. 2024 Mar;19(3):476–90.