David Sher, M.D.

Vice Chair of Clinical Operations and Quality, Medical Director, Chief of Head and Neck Radiation Oncology Service

Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Radiation Oncology
Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer

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Biography

David Sher, M.D., M.P.H., Professor, Chief of Head and Neck Radiation Oncology Service, and Vice Chair and Medical Director for Clinical Operations and Quality, graduated summa cum laude from Yale University with a degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and additionally completed his residency training at Harvard while concurrently earning a master’s degree in public health.

A board-certified radiation oncologist, Dr. Sher is an active participant in several national committees of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and is an associate senior editor for the prominent International Journal of Radiation Oncology ● Biology ● Physics. Dr. Sher has extensive experience in the formal teaching of residents, fellows, and post-docs, and has authored numerous papers advancing the field of radiation oncology.

Treating head and neck cancer has been Dr. Sher’s focus since the beginning of his medical career. He additionally has a strong interest in treating patients with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), and founded the SBRT program at Dana Farber Cancer Institute / Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Dr. Sher holds a secondary appointment at UT Southwestern in the Department of Clinical Science’s Division of Outcomes and Health Services Research. In this role, he will lead efforts to further characterize the benefits of different types of radiation treatments, including heavy particle therapy.

In 2019, Dr. Sher was named a Texas Monthly Super Doctor Rising Star.

Meet Dr. Sher

Radiation oncologist in Dallas

David Sher, M.D., leads the team of radiation oncologists who specialize in treating patients with head and neck cancer at UT Southwestern. Head and neck cancer has been a focus for him since his earliest days as a medical resident.

“It’s both challenging and satisfying to work with patients with this type of cancer,” Dr. Sher says. “The anatomy of the head and neck is very complicated – everything is interrelated. Because of this, there is a high priority on both treatment planning and on patient symptom management.”

Successful treatment of head and neck cancer, he explains, requires close collaboration between a team of professionals, such as nurses and dosimetrists, to deliver treatment.

“It’s really a village with each person contributing their specialized skills to benefit the patient,” Dr. Sher says. “Working with this team is one of the most enjoyable aspects of treating head and neck cancer, when we all function together to bring about the best results possible.

“Likewise, patients with head and neck cancer should know when they decide to have treatment here that they are joining a team that is here solely for them. I encourage patients to communicate with their team – it’s important for us to have their feedback on how treatment is going for them so we can make adjustments as needed.”

“No two cases of head and neck cancer are the same,” Dr. Sher says. “Often a combination of different treatments is required, and we are fortunate at UT Southwestern to have all the tools in the toolbox to be able to select the right modality – or combination of modalities – to deliver optimal results.”

Education & Training

Residency - Harvard/Brigham and Women's Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital (2004-2008), Radiation Oncology
Internship - Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (2003-2004), Internal Medicine
Medical School - Harvard Medical School (1998-2003)