Yaron Perry MD, FACS

Yaron Perry

Yaron Perry
MD, FACS

Clinical Professor of Surgery, Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery / Medical Director of Comprehensive Center for Thoracic Malignancies / Co-Director of Robotic Surgery

Department of Surgery

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Specialty/Research Focus

Cancer Treatment and Prevention; Cardiothoracic Surgery; Robotic Surgery; Surgery - Laparoscopic; Thoracic Surgery

Contact Information
Buffalo General Medical Center
University at Buffalo
100 High St. - Room C-313
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716-859-1344
Fax: 716-859-4379
yperry@buffalo.edu
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Patient Care

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

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Overview Research Publications Activities Latest News

Professional Summary:

Dr. Yaron Perry is Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery, Medical Director of the Comprehensive Center for Thoracic Malignancies, and Co-Director of Robotic Surgery at the University at Buffalo, where he also serves as Professor of Surgery. A graduate of the Hebrew University School of Medicine, he completed advanced surgical training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Geisinger Medical Center, and Allegheny Medical Center, and is board certified in both general and thoracic surgery. Since joining UB in 2019, Dr. Perry has established a comprehensive thoracic oncology service across multiple hospitals, building one of the region’s highest-volume robotic thoracic programs. His research focuses on lung and esophageal cancer, surgical quality improvement, and mitochondrial biology in pulmonary disease, with publications in Communications Biology (Nature), Annals of Thoracic Surgery, and Frontiers in Oncology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, an active mentor in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and is currently pursuing an MBA to advance his leadership in health system innovation.

Personal Statement:
I believe in patient accessibility to their doctor, I treat my patients like my own family - the combination of compassion and implementation of evidence based treatment is the key of care. I am using advanced surgical techniques such as robotic surgery and minimally invasive surgery, when appropriate to achieve the best outcomes for my patients. Seeing my patients recover and cured from lung cancer, esophageal cancer is the best reward one can ever ask.

Education and Training:
  • Internship, Hadassah University Hospital (1994)
  • MD, The Hebrew University School of Medicine (1992)

Employment:
  • Chief Division Thoracic Surgery, Surgery, UBMD (2019-present)
  • Medical Director of Comprehensive Center for Thoracic Malignancies | Co-Director of Robotic Surgery University at Buffalo, Department of Surgery, University at Buffalo (2019-present)
  • Medical Director Thoracic Surgery/Malignancies, Surgery, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2019-present)
  • Medical Director Thoricic Surgery, Surgery, Ahuja Medical Centre University Hospitals (2014–2019)
  • Director, Minimally Invasive Esophageal Surgery, Head of Thoracic Robotic Surgery Service, Department of Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery – Cleveland Medical Center, University Hospitals – Cleveland, OH. (2013–2019)
  • Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery/Thoracic Robotic Surgery Service, University Hospitals Case Medical Center Case (2013–2019)
  • Director, Memorial University Medical Center University Hospitals Case Medical Center (2010–2013)
  • Thoracic Surgeon, Surgery, Tufts Medical Center Tufts Medical School (2008–2010)

Awards and Honors:
  • ACS Surgeons as Leaders (2025)
  • Top Doctors (2025)
  • Top Doctors (2023)
  • Top Doctors 2024

Research Expertise:
  • `Lung cancer: Diagnosis, treatment, innovation, minimally invasive approach and robotic surgery
  • Esophageal and bronchial stents: Collaborating with industry to develop palliation and treatment tools for malignant strictures.
  • Esophageal Tumors and malignancies: Minimally Invasive Esophagectomies
  • Esopjhageal Cancer: Diagnosis, treatment, surgical innovation, palliation and local treatment.
  • Minimally invasive approach to Gastro- Esophageal reflux Disease,: Esophageal Surgery – Minimally invasive approach to Gastro- Esophageal reflux Disease; outcomes research, refining innovative technical approach to GERD.
  • Photo-Dynamic Therapy and Endoscopic laser treatment: Investigating the treatment modality of PDT in animal and human models, as well as treatment of PDT induced esophageal stricture.
  • Robotic Surgery of the Thorax and Foregut: Investigating and exploring robotic and artificial Intelligence platforms in the surgery of the chest.

UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
  • Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan
  • Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics

Grants and Sponsored Research:
  • June 2017–October 2019
    Seidman Cancer Center research fund in esophageal cancer
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $20,000
  • January 2002–December 2002
    Virtual reality prototype for teaching advanced laparoscopic surgery
    MIS Fellowship Grant
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $25,000
  • March 2013
    Radioactive Stents for Brachytherapy of Esophageal Cancers
    NIH
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $250,000
  • 2001 University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute SPORE
    University of Pittsburgh
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $15,000
  • Patient gift for ACI vision fund.
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $1,000

Journal Articles:

See all (34 more)

Books and Book Chapters:

  • Linden, P., Perry Y. (2019) Adult Chest Surgery, 3rd edition. In: Anatomy and Pathophysiology of Esophageal Reflux Disease-Overview.

Professional Memberships:
  • American College of Surgeons; Fellow of American College of Surgeons (2012–present)
  • Society of Thoracic Surgeons; Society of Thoracic Surgeons (2010–present)
  • Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons; Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (2000–present)

Presentations:
  • "Dosimetric Analysis of a Longitudinal Clinical Experience Using Robotic Radiosurgery and LINAC-based SBRT with VMAT for Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (ES-NSCLC)" ASTRO Annual Meeting (2019)
  • "LINAC SBRT Delivered with VMAT May Be Associated with Improved Local Control for T1-T2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Longitudinal Clinical Experience" ASTRO Annual Meeting (2019)
  • "Predictors of Radiation Pneumonitis after Lung SBRT for Early Stage Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)" ASTRO Annual Meeting (2019)
  • "Mortality after Esophagectomy: Analysis of Complications and their Association with Operative Mortality in the Society of Thoracic Surgery Database" The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Conference (2019)
  • "Gastrointestinal Function After Esophagectomy - Which Type of Resection and Perioperative treatment has better outcomes?" The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Conference (2018)
  • "Results of Sterotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for T2 Lung Cancer: Suboptimal outcomes with longer term follow-up." American Society of Clinical Oncology Meeting ASCO (2017)
  • "ATF6 contributes to smoke-associated small airways fibrosis, inflammation and air space enlargement." Annual conference of the American Thoracic Society (2017)
  • "Proportion of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Barrett's Esophagus in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy vs. Roux-En-Y Gastrojejunostomy: A Population Based Study." Digestive Disease Week (2017)
  • "Role of mitochondrial microRNAs in Alveolar Epithelial Type II Cells Response to Cigarette Smoke" Annual conference of the American Thoracic Society (2017)
  • "Use of Drain Amylase Allow for Early and Definitive Intervention of Esophageal Leaks and Aids in Preventing Esophagectomy Mortality" American Association of Thoracic Surgeons Meeting (2017)
  • "DEcision Analysis Supports the Use of Amylase Based Enhanced Recovery Pathway after Esophagectomy." Academic Surgical Congress (2017)
  • "Esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis has a greater need for intervention for Dysphagia than intrathoracic anastomosis" ESMO (2016)
  • "Complications, Not Surgical Technique, Are Associated With Increased Cost After Esophagectomy." Academic Surgical Congress. (2016)
  • "Cigarette Smoke Exposure Alters Mitochondria Function by Regulating Expression of Mitochondrial miR-805/mitosRNA-L-DL-1 in Alveolar Type II cells" The American Thoracic Society International Conference (2015)
  • "Laparoscopic Repair of a Perforated Epiphrenic Diverticulum" SAGES (2015)
  • "Serial Drain Amylase Can Accurately Predict Esophageal Leak Following Esophagectomy and May Allow for Early Discharge" The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Conference (2015)
  • "A Wedge Resection is Associated with a 50% Lower Rate of Major Morbidity than Anatomic Resection: An STS Database Propensity-Matched Analysis" The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Annual Conference (2014)
  • "Laparoscopic Repair of Perforated Epiphrenic Diverticulum" Submitted to American Association of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting (2012)
  • "Innovations in the Surgical Treatment of Lung Cancer" Georgia Surgical Society 2011 Annual Meeting (2011)
  • "Laparoscopic Repair of Massive Hiatal Hernia" World Congress for the Advancement of Surgery (2009)
  • "Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy" Congress for the Advancement of Surgery (2009)
  • "MIS Surgery for the GE Junction. Endoscopic vs Laparoscopic" Congress for the Advancement of Surgery (2009)
  • "The role of laparoscopy in Surgical Oncology-Lung," Congress for the Advancement of Surgery (2009)
  • "Prognostic value of laser scanning cytometer expressions of tumor markers panel in non-small cell lung cancer (nsclc)" Southern Thoracic Surgical Assoication's 54th Annual Meeting (2007)
  • "Revisional Laparoscopic Antireflux Surgery is Safe and Effective in Properly Selected Patients" SAGES Annual Meeting 2007 (2007)
  • "Minimally invasive approach to staging and biopsy of bilateral Wilms‘ Tumor." American College of Surgeons (2005)
  • "Outcomes of laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair: 53 consecutive cases in a rural center" SAGES 2005 (2005)
  • "Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy." Video Session SSO Annual Meeting (2005)
  • "Therapeutic Local Over-expression of the manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) transgene prevents photodynamic therapy damage to normal esophageal mucosa" Photonics West (2004)
  • "Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy" American College of Surgeons (2003)
  • "Development of PDT induced esophageal stricture is decreased by therapeutic local over-expression of the MnSOD transgene" American Society of Gene Therapy (2003)
  • "Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Induced Esophageal Stricture - an Animal Model: From Mouse to Pig." Photonics West (2003)
  • "A virtual reality prototype for teaching trouble-shooting in advanced minimally invasive surgery." American College of Surgeons (2002)
  • "Left thoracoscopic thymectomy." American College of Surgeons (2002)
  • "Minimally invasive approach to post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia" American College of Surgeons (2002)
  • "Minimally Invasive Treatment of Esophago-gastric Leiomyomas: A Single Institution Experience" West PA Society of Thoracic Surgery (2002)
  • "Minimally invasive treatment of Esophago-gastric Leiomyomas: A Single Institution Experience." West. PA Society of Thoracic Surgery (2002)
  • "Esophageal Reconstruction after Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy: Whole stomach with Pyloroplasty Vs Narrow Tube without Pyloroplasty" SAGES 2002 (2002)
  • "Role of PET-CT in Staging Esophageal Cancer" Society of Surgical Oncology (2002)
  • "Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair Following Blunt Trauma" The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Conference (2002)
  • "Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Recalcitrant Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Morbidly Obese Patient." Society Laproendoscopic Surgeons 2002 (2002)
  • "Laparoscopic Rouxen-Y Gastric Bypass Performed By A Thoracic Surgery Service For Recalcitrant Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in the Morbidly Obese Patient." Society of Thoracic Surgery (2002)
  • "Laparoscopic/Thorascopic Esophagectomy" Society of Thoracic Surgery (2002)
  • "Radiofrequency Ablation of Pulmonary Malignancies in Non-Surgical Candidates" Western Thoracic (2002)
  • "Role of PET-CT in Staging Esophageal Cancer." Society of Surgical Oncology (2002)
  • "Toxic Pulmonary Effects of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in a Mouse Model." Photonics West (2002)
  • "Minimally Invasive esophagectomy in the elderly" Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (2001)
  • "Outcomes of minimally invasive esophagectomy for high grade dysplasia" European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgeons; ; European Society of Thoracic Surgeons. (2001)
  • "Laparoscopic Diagnosis and Management of Torsion of Appendices Epiploicae" SAGES 2001 (2001)
  • "Surgical Emergencies in Crohn's Disease" Joint Meeting of Colon & Rectal Surgery and the Mediterranean Society of Coloproctology (2000)
  • "Tailoring the Surgical Procedure to the Patient" Joint Meeting of Colon & Rectal Surgery and the Mediterranean Society of Coloproctology (2000)
  • "Is Low Pressure Pneumoperitoneum Safer in Cardiac Failure:" 7th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery (2000)
  • "Laparoscopic vs Open Adrenalectomy in Patient with Adrenal Pheochromocytoma" 7th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery (2000)
  • "Is Low Pressure Pneumoperitoneum Safer in Cardiac Failure?" SAGES 2000 (2000)
  • "Laparoscopic vs. Open Adrenalectomy in Patient with Adrenal Pheochromocytoma" SAGES 2000 (2000)
  • "Combined Surgery and Intra-operative Irradiation in Recurrence of Rectal Carcinoma" 26th National Congress of Surgery (1999)
  • "Laparoscopic Bowel Surgery" 26th National Congress of Surgery (1999)
  • "Life dependent on dual artificial support systems home parenteral nutrition and hemodialysis in the same patient." 26th National Congress of Surgery (1999)
  • "Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: what does affect the outcome? A retrospective multifactorial analysis" 6th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery (1998)
  • "Controlled Pancreatico-Cutaneous Fistula in Whipple Procedure for Periampullary Carcinoma" Israeli Surgical Society Convention No. 19 (1994)
See all (50 more)

Service Activities:
  • Monthly meeting to oversee and plan University operations - like space policy, DEI policy, etc...; Member of State University of New York: University Faculty Senate - Operations Committee. (2025–present)
  • Oversee and discuss faculty compliance issues and solutions.; Member of the UBMD Compliance Committee. (2024–present)
  • Editor of Thoracic oncology surgery section; Guest editor of Thoracic Oncology subsection (2024–2025)
  • Esophageal Cancer Talk with Dr Perry updated 2023 - GLH Radio Program; Esophageal Cancer Talk with Dr Perry updated 2023 - GLH Radio Program (2023)
  • Lung Force Walk: Top Fundraising Team.; American Lung Association Event- Lung Force Walk: Top Fundraising Team. October 31, 2022 Lung Cancer Talk with Dr Perry updated 2022 - GLH Radio Program (2022)
  • Lung Cancer Talk with Dr Perry updated 2022 - GLH Radio Program; Lung Cancer Talk with Dr Perry updated 2022 - GLH Radio Program (2022)
  • Monthly executives meetings - overseeing quality and service lines.; Member of Erie County Medical Center’s Medical Executive Committee. (2022–present)
  • University at Buffalo -Senate.; Member of the Faculty Council ByLaws Committee (2022–present)
  • Creating Bio-repository Thoracic specimens' banking- from IRB, collection, creating database and storing. (IRB approved HRP503); Building Biorepository Thoracic specimens tissue bank (2021–present)
  • Edited and extensive reviewers support; Frontiers in Oncology Guest editor of Thoracic Oncology subsection (2021–2023)
  • Buffalo local TV and web network – Lung cancer screening, Buffalo, NY; Talk in Medical Minute TV show. (2020)
  • Lung Cancer Prevention and Screening event at the Hertel-Elmwood Clinic Buffalo, NY; Lung Cancer Prevention and Screening event at the Hertel-Elmwood Clinic Buffalo, NY (2020)
  • Lung Cancer - Great Lakes Health Radio Interview, WUFO Power 96.5 FM; Talk in Thoracic Oncology – Great Lakes Health Radio Interview, WUFO Power 96.5 FM (2020)
  • Teaching for SAGES course; Faculty in Flexible Endoscopic Surgery Course for MIS Fellows – Buffalo, NY (2020)
  • Director andBoard Member of University at Buffalo Surgeons Inc, University Service, Inc.; Director in UBMD Board of Directors, USI (2020–present)
  • Assigned mentor for career development of the Society of Thoracic Surgery; Mentor in the STS Career Development and mentorship program for young Thoracic Surgeons. (2020–2023)
  • Director in UBMD Board of Directors, USI; Board Member of University at Buffalo Surgeons Inc, University Service, Inc. (2020–present)
  • Preceptorship and students' rotation teaching programMedical Students- University at Buffalo Alyssa Reese - Talk and video presentation, AMA Research Symposium, October 2022 Milliron, Aberlee SUR700 clerkship Clinical Immersion 6/15/20-6/26/20* Benjamin, Robert SUR700 clerkship Clinical Immersion 6/29/20-7/10/20* Kessler, Haeja SUR700 clerkship Clinical Immersion 7/13/20-7/24/20* Manzi, Katarina SUR700 Clerkship 8/05/20-8/21/20** Palardy, Justin SUR700 Clerkship 8/31/20-9/18/20** Razek, Ryan SUR700 Clerkship 9/21/20-10/09/20** Johal, Gurkaran SUR700 Clerkship 10/12/20-10/30/20** Riley, Taylor SUR700 Clerkship 11/09/20-11/27/20** Betz, Jenna SUR700 Clerkship 11/20/20-12/18/20** Fritz, Alexander SUR700 Clerkship 1/18/21-2/05/21** Seward, Ian SUR700 Clerkship 3/08/21-3/26/21** O’Hehir, Mary SUR700 Clerkship 4/26/21-5/14/21** Szczecinski, Eric SUR700 Clerkship 5/17/21-6/04/21** Baur, Jordan SUR700 Clerkship 6/28/21-7/23/21 Nwawka, Andrea SUR700 Clerkship 7/26/21-8/20/21 Harvey, Justin SUR820 Preceptorship in Surgery*** 8/23/21-9/19/21 Huang, JianQiao SUR700 Clerkship 10/18/21-10/22/21 [1 wk] Andrew Monte SUR700 Clerkship 11/15/21-12/10/21 Racki, Jonathan SUR700 Clerkship 3/07/22-4/01/22 Taubman, Joshua SUR700 Clerkship 5/30/22-6/24/22 Vazquez, Nina SUR700 Clerkship 6/27/22-7/22/22 O’Hehir, Mary SUR808 Sub-I in Thoracic Surgery*** 6/27/22-7/22/22 Anigo, Santa SUR700 Clerkship 8/22/22-9/16/22 Smith, Xiane SUR700 Clerkship 9/19/22-10/14/22 Kreiter, Christopher SUR700 Clerkship 11/14/22-12/09/22 *Reduced 2-week Clinical Immersion rotations for 2019-20 post COVID-19 Core Content **Reduced 3-week rotations for 2020-21 post COVID-19 due to shortened academic year ***MS4 elective SHADOWING STUDENTS Nitsche, Lindsay UB MS1 shadowing student 2/08/21-3/05/21 Graham, Olivia John Carroll U., Cleveland OH 1/01/22-1/18/22 Corujo Avila, Patricia UB rising MS2 shadowing student 7/14/22-7/22/22 Foote, Katherine UB rising MS2 shadowing student 7/14/22-7/22/22; Building the students rotation and curriculum in ThoracicSurgery (2020–present)
  • Over the last three years, I have built the Thoracic Oncology and Surgery programs in the Kaleida System and ECMC, with multidisciplinary weekly, tumor boards including medical oncology, radiation oncology, pulmonary medicine, interventional radiology, pathology, thoracic surgery and primary care offices that serve all western NY regions in both systems. Additionally, we have initiated training programs for medical students and residents, as well as Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways for all thoracic surgery patients in both systems – which was especially critical during COVID.; Head of Thoracic Oncology Tumor board (2020–present)
  • Board member with monthly meetings for the university practice management plan; Member of University at Buffalo - Faculty Practice Management Plan Governing Board (2020–present)
  • Smoking Cessation program Lung cancer screening abd smoking cessation education to the community and PCP's; Clinical Staff (2019–present)
  • Reviewing 2-3 manuscripts a year; Invited reviewer Journal of Robotic Surgery (2018–present)
  • Innovation in Lung Surgery Innovation in Lung Surgery – Pulmonary seminar at Southwest General Health center, Middelburg Hts. OH.; Director (2016–present)
  • 3-4 annual manuscripts to review; Invited Reviewer The Annals of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (2015–present)
  • Reviewing 2-3 manuscripts a year.; Invited Reviewer Journal of Diseases of the Esophagus (2014–present)
  • lung cancer, Diagnosis and treatment. June 14, 2011 - Talk to Atlantic Armstrong state university talk - lung cancer, Diagnosis and treatment.; Presentor (2014–present)
  • Reviewing 2-3 manuscripts a year.; Invited reviewer The Annals of Thoracic Surgery (2014–present)
  • Lung Cancer screening Lung Cancer screening – ACI retreat for primary care physicians, Savannah,GA; Acting Director (2013–present)
  • Talk about Lung Cancer. November 22, 2011 - WTOC MID MORNING LIVE – Talk about Lung Cancer.; Visiting Professor (2011–present)
  • Active member vin the medical school IRB with monthly meeting to review all applications.; Member of The Tufts Medical School Institutional Review Board (2008–2010)
  • - Flow Through Acute Care; 2005 Member of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (2005)
  • Invited reviewer for each of these journals; Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery The Annals of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Journal of Diseases of the Esophagus The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgery – Conferences and Journal The Annals of Thoracic Surgery Journal of Robotic Surgery (2004–2023)
  • Chair in the trauma session; 2000 Chairman, the 4th European Congress: Trauma and Emergency Surgery, the University of Pisa, Italy (2000)

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Contact Information

Buffalo General Medical Center
University at Buffalo
100 High St. - Room C-313
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716-859-1344
Fax: 716-859-4379
yperry@buffalo.edu
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This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

View this physician on UBMD
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