Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, director of the Dartmouth Cancer Center and a professor of microbiology and immunology and of medicine at Geisel School of Medicine, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). One of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine, NAM recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.
"I am deeply honored and humbled to be elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Throughout my career I have been dedicated to changing the course of lung cancer. I have learned from extraordinary mentors, colleagues, trainees, and, most importantly, the patients who have entrusted us with their care," said Herbst, who has long believed in the power of bringing science from the laboratory to the clinic.
A dedicated educator and mentor, Herbst is among 90 American and 10 international new members elected to the academy this year by the organization’s current members. Herbst is in the company of more than 2,600 scholars, innovators, and leaders who have received this distinction since the academy’s founding in 1970. NAM’s work has shaped health research, practice, and policies that improve the lives of millions of people around the world by working across disciplines to advance knowledge and accelerate progress in science, medicine, policy, and health equity.
“Dr. Herbst’s reputation as a pioneer in the treatment of and improvement of outcomes for lung cancer is well earned,” said Dartmouth Health CEO and president and fellow NAM member Joanne M. Conroy, MD. “I am so pleased the National Academy of Medicine has recognized his contributions. Dr. Herbst has only been leading Dartmouth Cancer Center for a few months and is already charting an exciting path forward in our work toward a world without cancer. We are lucky to have him, as are our patients here in rural northern New England.”
An internationally recognized leader in lung cancer research and treatment, Herbst was elected to the NAM for his pioneering work in the development of targeted and immune-based therapies for non-small cell lung cancer and revolutionizing the treatment of lung cancer through master protocols and pragmatic clinical trial design based on patient biomarkers and personalized medicine. His work has advanced the standard of care, improved patient outcomes and enhanced clinical trial diversity.
“Dr. Herbst’s election to the National Academy of Medicine recognizes a career that has changed how lung cancer is treated,” said Jennifer Hunt, MD, MEd, chief academic officer at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and dean of the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. “We are proud to count him among Geisel’s faculty and grateful for the vision he brings to Dartmouth Cancer Center.”
Herbst is widely published in professional journals and trains the next generation of clinicians and scientists. A leading advocate of efforts to promote tobacco control and regulation, including e-cigarettes, Herbst has written multiple policy statements and led frequent Capitol Hill briefings. His contributions have been recognized with numerous national and international awards.
"Targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and molecular profiling are among the advances I have contributed to, and together they have helped transform the treatment of lung cancer and improve outcomes for patients," Herbst added. "This recognition is a reflection not of one person's work, but of the remarkable teams and communities who have shared this journey with me. I am excited about the innovative work that Dartmouth Cancer Center is doing. Also, I am especially grateful to those who have challenged conventional thinking, pursued new ideas, and remained focused on finding better ways to prevent and treat cancer. Their dedication and collaboration are what make meaningful progress in medicine possible."
Dartmouth’s 2025 inductees included President Sian Leah Beilock and Carrie Colla, dean of the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. Other Dartmouth Health and Dartmouth faculty who have been elected to NAM include Paul Batalden, MD, Joanne Conroy, MD, Elliot Fisher, MD, MPH, Terry Fulmer, PhD, Steven Leach, MD, Albert Mulley, MD, MPP, Jonathan Skinner, PhD, Harold Sox, MD, Andrew Wallace, MD, James Weinstein, MS, DO, Michael Zubkoff, PhD, and Douglas Staiger, PhD.
About Dartmouth Cancer Center
Since 1972, Dartmouth Cancer Center (DCC) has combined groundbreaking and advanced cancer research at Dartmouth and the Geisel School of Medicine with award-winning, personalized, compassionate, patient-centered cancer care and clinical trials. At its flagship location at Dartmouth Health’s Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center , with 14 locations across New Hampshire and Vermont, DCC is one of fewer than 60 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers nationally . Each year, DCC manages 74,000 appointments, treats more than 4,500 newly diagnosed patients, and currently offers more than 240 active clinical trials. DCC remains committed to excellence, outreach and education. DCC strives to create new knowledge and impact, accelerate integrated and collaborative research to prevent and cure cancer, enhance survivorship and promote cancer-related health equity. Learn more at cancer.dartmouth.edu .