David Gerber, M.D.

David Gerber, M.D.

  • David Bruton, Jr. Professorship in Clinical Cancer Research
  • Internal Medicine - Hematology/Oncology
  • Lung Cancer
  • Chest Cancers

Biography

David Gerber, M.D., is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center, and a member of its Division of Hematology/Oncology. He serves as Co-Director of Education and Training for Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Originally from Chicago, Dr. Gerber holds a bachelor's degree in history from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, where he graduated cum laude. He earned his medical degree at Cornell University Medical College in New York, and completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at UT Southwestern, where he served as Chief Resident. He then received advanced training through a fellowship in medical oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.  

Board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology, Dr. Gerber joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2007. 

Dr. Gerber is active in research related to lung cancer, including clinical trials. His research has generated more than 250 publications that he has authored or co-authored, including articles and book chapters. His studies have contributed to invitations to lecture both nationally and internationally.

He serves on several committees at UT Southwestern. Beyond the institution, he serves as Chair of the Clinical Trials Advisory Committee for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Oncology Research Program Investigator Steering Committee.

Dr. Gerber holds memberships in several professional organizations, and he has been honored with numerous awards, including being named a Best Doctor in Dallas by D Magazine during the years of 2011-2023.

Meet Dr. Gerber

Lung Cancer Specialist

UT Southwestern Medical Center medical oncologist David Gerber, M.D., specializes in treating patients with lung cancer – a disease from which more people die every year than colon, breast, and prostate cancer combined.

Dr. Gerber says he focuses on lung cancer because the disease is so common, and the specialty offers him an opportunity to help a lot of people.

“I get to develop relationships with patients and their families that are very special,” he says.

"I’m invested in helping patients have a better quality of life.”

Dr. Gerber, a D Magazine Best Doctor, believes his role as a medical oncologist extends beyond administering chemotherapy to providing psychosocial support, including offering methods to cope with the stress and difficulties that can come with a lung cancer diagnosis.

“Providing support throughout the process is a role that I cherish,” he says. “It is very important and rewarding for me.”

In addition to patient care, Dr. Gerber is very active in lung cancer research, including designing and overseeing clinical trials based on scientific discoveries made at UT Southwestern.

“In lung cancer, there are still many unanswered questions, which means there are many opportunities to make an impact on the disease,” he says.

Dr. Gerber is Co-Director of UT Southwestern’s Experimental Therapeutics Program, which aims to identify novel targets for tumor targeting, perform laboratory testing of new treatment strategies, and develop new biomarkers and clinical trials.

The Experimental Therapeutics Program is just one reason why Dr. Gerber takes pride in being a member of the UT Southwestern team. After completing his internship and residency here, he chose to return as a faculty member.

“It’s an institution that I’m proud to be part of. I don’t know a place that provides better lung cancer care in the entire country.”

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Education & Training
  • Residency - UT Southwestern Medical Center (2000-2004), Internal Medicine
  • Fellowship - Johns Hopkins Hospital (2004-2007), Medical Oncology
  • Medical School - Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Science (1996-2000)
Professional Associations & Affiliations
  • International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (2008)
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology (2004)
Honors & Awards
  • D Magazine Best Doctor 2011-2022
  • Castle Connolly Top Doctors 2015-2018
  • National Cancer Institute Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award 2011
Books & Publications
Research
  • Oncology outcomes research
  • Lung cancer, clinical and translational research

Clinical Focus

  • Lung Cancer
  • Chest Cancers
  • Medical Treatment of Lung Cancer

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Q&A by Dr. Gerber