David S. Weinberg, MD, MSc
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Clinical Locations
Primary Location
Fox Chase Cancer Center
333 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111
Chair, Department of Medicine
Chief, Section of Gastroenterology
Audrey Weg Schaus and Geoffrey Alan Weg Chair in Medical Science
TRDG Member, Colorectal and SI Cancer; Esophagus, Pancreas, and Liver Cancer
Treatment Focus
Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disease; Risk Assessment
Research Program
Key Awards
Gastroenterology
Treatment Philosophy
I joined the staff at Fox Chase Cancer Center in 2001 as director of gastroenterology. While my gastroenterology colleagues and I see many patients with cancers of all types, we are very happy to care for the gastrointestinal needs of patients without cancer as well.
I have a special interest in cancer prevention, especially for patients who are at average risk for gastrointestinal cancers. The current methods of gastrointestinal cancer prevention tools, like colonoscopy, are very effective. However, it is very likely that the next generation of screening techniques will be substantially better. Finding new ways to increase participation in screening programs and to use molecular or genetic markers to provide more accurate estimates of risk are particular interests of mine. Hopefully, finding such markers will allow for better targeting of screening and other risk reduction strategies now and in the future.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Periodic screening can reduce the incidence and mortality from this disease. Unfortunately, screening is underutilized. Less than 50% of the U.S. population has been appropriately screened according to standard guidelines. The poor acceptance rate is particularly disappointing since no other common human malignancy represents such an appropriate target for cancer prevention. Effective strategies to increase screening rates, targeted towards patients or providers, have proven elusive. The major goals of our research program are the development of novel CRC risk stratification tools in average risk populations to facilitate more appropriate use of screening tests as well as investigating new methods to increase screening utilization. Several ongoing, large multi-center trials are underway that investigate new clinical platforms for CRC screening, the impact of gene-environment interaction on CRC risk stratification and the utility of patient specific information tailoring to increase CRC screening use.
Chair, Department of Medicine
David S. Weinberg, MD, MSc, has served as the Chair of the Department of Medicine and the Director of Gastroenterology since his appointment in 2008.
Dr. Weinberg’s research centers on the prevention and control of gastrointestinal malignancies with a particular interest in biomarkers, chemoprevention, the cost effectiveness of clinical care and in novel methods to promote cancer screening utilization. He currently holds research support from the National Institutes of Health, the pharmaceutical industry, and philanthropic organizations. He is the author of more than 150 peer reviewed manuscripts and sits on the editorial boards of several biomedical journals including Gastroenterology.
In addition to research, Dr Weinberg continues an active clinical practice in Gastroenterology, winning multiple “top doctor” awards. In addition, he serves as the Chief Medical Officer of the Temple University Health System’s Office of International Health. Beyond activities at Fox Chase he has been appointed to leadership roles on national committees for a range of groups including the American Board of Internal Medicine, the National Cancer Institute, the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA).
Dr. Weinberg received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Yale University and his MD from Cornell University Medical College, where he earned the Research Thesis Award and was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honorary society. He served his internship and residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and then his Gastroenterology fellowship training at the University of Pennsylvania. Concurrently, he was a National Research Service Award fellow in cancer epidemiology earning a masters’ degree in epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Educational Background
- Fellow, Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Fellow, Clinical Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Resident, Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA
- MSc, Cancer Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- MD, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY
- BA, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Certifications
- Gastroenterology, American Board of Internal Medicine
Memberships
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
- Genetic: Colorectal/Colorectal Cancer Screening Panel
- American Association for Cancer Research
- American College of Gastroenterology
- American Gastroenterological Association, Fellow
- National Institutes of Health
Honors & Awards
- Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctors, 2009-18
- America’s Top Doctors®, 2015-17
Alison Kovalchik
Alison Kovalchik
In 2013, Alison Kovalchik learned she carried the BRCA1 mutation that increases the risk for developing breast cancer. Because she already had a number of other health issues, she was very worried about her options for preventive treatment. Upon the recommendation of her doctor, Alison sought answers from a specialist at Fox Chase Cancer Center, where she later had preventive surgery. She was assigned to a team of physicians from several different departments who all worked together to form an individualized treatment plan to ensure the best outcome. "Even though Fox Chase is a cancer center, its staff considers the patient as a whole person, which is something I hadn’t encountered elsewhere, and, to me, it is a true miracle," Alison said. "Fox Chase Cancer Center’s doctors worked as a team to treat me...I trust my team at Fox Chase. My doctors gave me my life back—in all ways, not only with the BRCA mutation risk. I know I’m in the best hands for my care."
James Slade
James Slade
I was in my early 60s when my first PSA blood test detected slightly elevated levels, and I was advised to be retested 8 months later. When the levels increased 50% on the second test, my doctor in New Jersey performed a biopsy. The diagnosis was prostate cancer.
Albert Anderson
Albert Anderson
"Although the gastroenterologist recommended that I wait 6 months for a follow-up test, my wife and I decided that I should get a second opinion at Fox Chase Cancer Center, where I had been successfully treated for prostate cancer 3 years prior. "
Research Program
Research Interests
- Gastrointestinal cancer prevention and control
- Cancer chemoprevention
- Cost and clinical effectiveness studies
Selected Publications
Siedler MR, Allen JI, Falck-Ytter YT, Weinberg DS. AGA Clinical Practice Guidelines: Robust, Evidence-Based Tools for Guiding Clinical Care Decisions. Gastroenterology. 2015 Aug;149(2):493-5 PubMed
Moayyedi P, Weinberg DS, Schünemann H, Chak A. Management of pancreatic cysts in an evidence-based world. Gastroenterology. 2015 Apr;148(4):692-5 PubMed
Rex DK, Schoenfeld PS, Cohen J, Pike IM, Adler DG, Fennerty MB, Lieb JG, Park WG, Rizk MK, Sawhney MS, Shaheen NJ, Wani S, Weinberg DS. Quality Indicators for Colonoscopy. Am J Gastroenterol. 2015 Jan;110(1):72-90 PubMed
Weinberg DS, Myers RE, Keenan E, Ziring B, Sifri R, Ruth K , Ross E and Manne S: Gene Environment Risk Assessment and Colorectal Cancer Screening in an Average Risk Population: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine 2014; 161(8):537-45 PubMed
Horwitz E and Weinberg DS: Medicare Physician Payment Data: Is this Transparency? Ann Intern Med. 2014;161:291-292 PubMed
Weinberg DS and Schoen RE: New Advances in Colorectal Cancer Screening. Ann Intern Med. 2014;160(9):ITC5-1
Weinberg DS, Keenan E, Ruth K, Devarajan K, Rodoletz M, Bieber EJ. A randomized trial comparing a web-based versus print-based intervention to increase CRC screening. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173:122-9.
Shaheen N, Denberg T, Chou R, Qaseem A, Shekelle P, Weinberg DS: Overuse of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in acid reflux disease. Ann Intern Med. 2012;157:808-816
Additional Publications
Related Articles
9 PATIENT COMMENTS
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5.0
January 06, 2019
David Weinberg is a great top doc!
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5.0
November 11, 2018
Fox Chase is the best, Dr. David Weinberg is also the best. Expert skills & knowledge. Pleasant personality.
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5.0
October 11, 2018
I love my dr. He does a great job. [...]
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5.0
October 07, 2018
The doctor gave me confidence about his recommendations and was very interested and a great listener!
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5.0
October 01, 2018
Dr. Weinberg is "super". I trust him!
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5.0
July 31, 2018
We have great confidence in Dr. Weinberg -- his attention to detail and concern beyond the immediate issue is what saved my life 10 years ago. His treatment plan is why I continue to see him for care.
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3.0
June 24, 2018
I was explaining my complicated medical history and didn't make me feel confident that he cared one way or another. he was knowledgeable but a bit rude.
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5.0
June 21, 2018
I would never go to another doctor for this situation. I have complete confidence in my doctor.
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5.0
May 16, 2018
I feel very comfortable w/Dr. Weinberg. He knows my GI & other history and always discusses my situation.
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