NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens Welcomes Dr. Ellen Hagopian as Director of the Queens Cancer Center
Leading expert in surgical oncology brings extensive experience in complex cancer treatment The Queens Cancer Center has been recognized by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer for exceptional care of patients and implementation of clinical trial initiatives
Mar 10, 2025
NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Ellen Hagopian as the new Director of the Queens Cancer Center. A highly regarded figure in surgical oncology, Dr. Hagopian is a board-certified surgeon and an esteemed Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) specialist known for her expertise in treating complex cancers of the liver, pancreas, biliary tract, and upper gastrointestinal system. Dr. Hagopian is the recipient of the 2024 Nonie Lowry Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor from the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA), recognizing her contributions to surgical education and patient advocacy. She brings a commitment to clinical excellence to the Queens team and champions a patient-centered philosophy, emphasizing individualized care that empowers patients to actively participate in their treatment plans.
One of Queens Hospital’s four Centers of Excellence, the Queens Cancer Center has received Gold Level Commendation from the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer for exceptional care of patients and implementation of clinical trial initiatives. Enrollment in clinical trials increased more than six-fold since its inception in 2002 and is well above the national average in clinical trial accrual. The Queens Cancer Center works in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Mount Sinai Medical Center among others to employ their premier clinical research protocols for its patients, as clinical trials hold the key to overall advances in all cancers, along with measurable increases in early cancer detection which can ultimately be life-saving.
“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Ellen Hagopian as the new Director of the Queens Cancer Center, said NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens Chief Executive Officer Neil J. Moore, MBA, MPA, FACHE. “Her expertise in treating complex cancers—many of which are prevalent in our borough—will be invaluable as we continue to emphasize the importance of preventative cancer screenings. With Dr. Hagopian at the helm, we will work diligently to educate our community and encourage proactive healthcare approaches to achieve optimal, life-saving results.”
“I am both humbled and excited to be named the new Director of the Queens Cancer Center,” Dr. Hagopian remarked. “Addressing the challenge of advanced-stage malignancies in our patient population is a mission I wholeheartedly embrace. We have the opportunity to raise awareness about preventive self-care and promote healthier lifestyles to help patients avoid stage-4 diagnoses. I look forward to collaborating with the Queens Hospital community to empower our patients to take charge of their health.”
“We are extremely honored to have Dr. Ellen Hagopian, an accomplished and respected surgical oncologist, join our team,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens Chief Medical Officer Dave Holson, MD. “Her dedication to education, innovation, and compassionate care aligns seamlessly with the Queens Cancer Center’s mission to deliver world-class oncology services right here in our community.”
Dr. Abbi-Gail Baboolal, Chief Nursing Officer, added, “Dr. Hagopian’s arrival marks a pivotal moment for the Queens Cancer Center. Her leadership and dedication to patient care will not only enhance our clinical services but also inspire our team and community to prioritize health and well-being.”
Dr. Hagopian completed her General Surgery residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and pursued advanced training in Laparoscopy at New York Medical College. She refined her HPB surgical skills under the mentorship of Professor Henri Bismuth, a pioneer in hepatobiliary surgery, at France’s renowned Centre Hepatobiliaire (Hôpital Paul Brousse). Her groundbreaking contributions to the field earned her induction as the first female American surgeon into the prestigious International Hepatobiliary Fellowship Society, founded by Professor Bismuth.
Most recently, Dr. Hagopian served as Assistant Dean for Clinical Education and Vice Chair of Education at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Previously, she led the HPB Oncology Program at Meridian Cancer Care/Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where she developed evidence-based, multidisciplinary care protocols that significantly improved patient outcomes.
Coinciding with her new role at Queens, Dr. Hagopian was recently honored as one of 61 outstanding women at the annual Power Women Ceremony organized by Schneps Media. This event celebrates the fearless female leaders who contribute to making Queens a vibrant place to live and work.
Her leadership roles in the field of HPB extend to key positions with the AHPBA, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT), and American College of Surgeons (ACS), including:
- Chair of the AHPBA Education and Training Committee
- Former Chair of the ACS National Ultrasound Faculty
- Associate Editor of HPB (Oxford), a leading surgical journal
- Active member of the Commission on Cancer’s Accreditation Committee
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Media Contact: Cleon Edwards, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, 646-772-5725
Jane Petrik, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, 718-883-2129
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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens
A member of NYC Health and Hospitals, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens is a major health care provider in the borough of Queens. Its foremost mission is to provide quality, comprehensive care to all members of the public regardless of their ability to pay. The year 2015 marked its 80th anniversary of serving the communities of central and southeastern Queens, having first opened its doors as Queens General Hospital in 1935. Encompassing 360,000 square feet, it comprises 253 licensed beds, spacious ambulatory care suites featuring both primary and specialty services, and cutting-edge equipment. It also houses four Centers of Excellence: Cancer Care, Diabetes Management, Women’s Health, and Behavioral Health. The hospital has recently added a fully expanded Emergency Room, a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence accredited by the American College of Radiology, and a Total Hip and Knee Replacement Center, with plans underway to build the Health System’s first Dialysis Center to train patients to perform their own at-home dialysis. To learn more about NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/queens/.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation. We are a network of 11 hospitals, trauma centers, neighborhood health centers, nursing homes, and post-acute care centers. We are a home care agency and a health plan, MetroPlus. Our health system provides essential services to more than one million New Yorkers every year in more than 70 locations across the city’s five boroughs. Our diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
