Diana A. Roth O\'Brien, MD, MPH

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Get to know Radiation Oncologist Dr. Diana A. Roth O’Brien, who serves patients in New Jersey.

Dr. O’Brien is an Assistant Attending radiation oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, operating out of the offices in Montvale and Basking Ridge, New Jersey. She specializes in using cutting-edge radiotherapy techniques to treat a variety of cancers. These techniques include image-guided radiation therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and stereotactic body radiotherapy.

Receiving her medical degree from State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine, Dr. O’Brien went on to complete her internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and her residency in radiation oncology at New York Presbyterian Hospital. 

From early in her medical training, she was drawn to radiation oncology because of the deeply multidisciplinary nature of cancer care. MSK combines a collaborative environment, effective and innovative technology, and extensive resources that allow her to ensure that all of her patients receive optimal care.

Much of Dr. O’Brien’s research has focused upon identifying causes of, and reducing side effects associated with, radiotherapy. She is passionate about using her expertise and technology to ensure that her patients not only have their cancer effectively managed, but enjoy the best possible quality of life for years and decades following their treatment. 

Pursuing a Master of Public Health degree, this additional training made her acutely aware of how many broad societal factors — beyond the scope of clinic visits — deeply influence the decisions that patients make. As a result, her research has also investigated the barriers that patients face in completing optimal, timely care, and methods to mitigate these obstacles.

For many patients, radiotherapy is a largely unknown and daunting process; as such, Dr. O’Brien prioritizes listening and educating. Regardless of diagnosis, each patient brings a unique perspective, values, concerns, and needs to a medical encounter. Her aim is to explain complex treatment plans patiently and in an approachable way, such that her patients feel empowered to make informed, personalized decisions, and prepared to embark upon radiotherapy.

Licensed to practice medicine in New York and New Jersey, she is board-certified in radiation oncology by the American Board of Radiology (ABR). The mission of the ABR is to serve patients, the public, and the medical profession by certifying that its diplomates have acquired, demonstrated, and maintained a requisite standard of knowledge, skill, and understanding essential to the safe and competent practice of diagnostic radiology, radiation oncology, and medical physics.

Radiation oncology is a medical specialty that involves the controlled use of radiation to treat cancer. It is one of the three primary specialties – the other two being surgical and medical oncology – involved in the treatment of cancer. A radiation oncologist is a specialist physician who uses ionizing radiation in the treatment of cancer.

Among Dr. O’Brien’s various awards and honors include: Delta Omega Alpha Public Health Honor Society (2015), Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (2015), Best of ASTRO Abstract (2017), and The Radiosurgery Society Resident Committee (2019)

Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling, SCUBA diving, knitting, and spending time with her dogs. She speaks both English and Romanian.

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