M.D.
Surgical Oncologist
2003, Doctor of Medicine, Drexel College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1998, Health Careers Program, Harvard University Extension School, Cambridge, Massachusetts
1995, Certificate in East Asian Studies, Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
2010-2011, Fellow, International Upper GI/Robotic Surgery Fellow, Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
2005-2007, Research Fellow, Laboratory of Yuman Fong, M.D., Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
2007-2010, General Surgery Resident, Department of Surgery, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York City, NY
2003-2005, Intern/Resident, Department of Surgery, St. Vincent's Catholic Medical Centers
2015-present, Associate Professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, City of Hope, Duarte and Orange County, California
2015-present, Director, Gastroenterology Minimally Invasive Therapy Program, City of Hope, Duarte, California
2015-present, Director, International Surgery, City of Hope, Duarte, California
2013–2015, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
2011-2015, Director, Center for Global Excellence in Gastric Cancer Care, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
Yanghee Woo, M.D., is a world-renowned cancer surgeon at City of Hope® Cancer Center Duarte, known for her expertise in robotic surgery and her deep compassion for patients. With advanced training and a caring approach, Dr. Woo helps individuals facing stomach and other gastrointestinal cancers feel informed, supported and hopeful every step of the way.
Patients choose Dr. Woo not only for her surgical skills, but also for her honesty, warmth, and dedication to giving each person the best possible care. She believes that combining leading-edge science with personalized treatment is key to changing the future of cancer care for her patients and for people around the world.
Dr. Woo received her medical degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia and completed her surgical training at Columbia University, followed by a research fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, both in New York City. She trained in advanced stomach cancer surgery in Seoul, South Korea and began her career leading the robotic surgery program at Columbia.
A leading expert in stomach cancer and minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Woo joined City of Hope in 2015 and serves as director of international surgery and the Gastroenterology Minimally Invasive Therapy Program, in which role she leads a team of doctors, researchers and scientists working together to find new ways to detect cancer early, improve surgical outcomes and offer new treatments like immunotherapy and targeted medicine.
Dr. Woo has been honored with several awards for her work, including the “Illuminator Award” from Hope for Stomach Cancer and the “Community Leader in Medicine Award” from the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles for her efforts to bring better cancer care to diverse communities. She is active in many national and international cancer organizations and frequently leads trainings on robotic surgery for complex cancers.
Driven by a passion for innovation and healing, Dr. Woo brings knowledge, leadership, and a deep commitment to helping patients live longer and better lives.