RobertA.RamirezDOFACP

Oncology • Nashville, TN

Endocrine Cancer, Thoracic Cancer

Physician

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Office
3601 The Vanderbilt Clinic
Nashville, TN 37232
Phone+1 615-322-3000

Summary

Robert Ramirez, DO, FACP
Dr. Robert Ramirez is a thoracic and neuroendocrine oncologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN and Associate Professor of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed an internal medicine residency at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey. He then completed a combined hematology and medical oncology fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis, Tennessee where he served as chief fellow. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) and a member of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), and the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS). He is a member of the Communications Committee for the IASLC and is a member of the Nominating as well as the Scientific Review and Research Committees for NANETS.

His clinical and research interests include neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and lung cancer. He has a specific interest in NETs of the lung, diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine hyperplasia (DIPNECH) and high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas. He is active in clinical trial design including investigator-initiated trials.

Education & Training

University of TennesseeFellowship, Hematology and Medical Oncology, 2008 - 2011
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University/Cooper University HospitalResidency, Internal Medicine, 2005 - 2008
Rowan University School of Osteopathic MedicineClass of 2004
Oakland UniversityB.A., Biology, Cum Laude, 2000
Oakland Community CollegeAssociate of Arts, Liberal Arts, 1999

Certifications & Licensure

TN State License 2008 - 2025
NH State License 2024 - 2024
FL State License 2020 - 2022
LA State License 2012 - 2022
MS State License 2020 - 2021
AL State License 2020 - 2020
AZ State License 2020 - 2020
NJ State License 2006 - 2010
American Board of Internal Medicine Medical Oncology
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Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Resident/Fellow Reseach Mentor of the Year Ochsner Medical Center, 2017
Travel Award North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society Annual Meeting, 2013
Merit Award American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, 2011
Travel Award American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, 2009
Travel Award National Institutes of Health/National Medical Association, 2007, 2010
Commendations Oakland University, 1998, 2000
Academic Achievement in Biology Oakland Community College, 1997
Academic Honors Oakland University, 1997-1999
Deans list Oakland Community College, 1996-1997
Departmental Honors in Bio Oakland University
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Clinical Trials

A Study to testABI-009 in Patients With Metastatic, Unresectable, Low or Intermediate Grade Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung or Gastroenteropancreatic System Start of enrollment: 2018 Nov 05
Terminated
Phase 2
Pembrolizumab With Chemotherapy in Metastatic or Unresectable High Grade Gastroenteropancreatic or Lung Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Start of enrollment: 2019 Oct 02
Withdrawn
Phase 2

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

49 citations
Inhibition of angiogenesis by the cancer chemopreventive agent conjugated linoleic acid.
Patricia A. Masso-Welch, Danilo Zangani, Clement Ip, Mary M. Vaughan, Suzanne F. Shoemaker
Cancer Research. 2002-08-01
1597 citations
Pembrolizumab in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma previously treated with sorafenib (KEYNOTE-224): a non-randomised, open-label phase 2 trial.
Andrew X. Zhu, Richard S. Finn, Julien Edeline, Stéphane Cattan, Sadahisa Ogasawara
The Lancet. Oncology. 2018-07-01
12 citations
Elevated Plasma Pancreastatin, but Not Chromogranin A, Predicts Survival in Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Duodenum
Eugene A. Woltering, David T. Beyer, Ramcharan Thiagarajan, Robert A. Ramirez, Yi-Zarn Wang
Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 2016-04-01

Journal Articles

Liver needle biopsies are poor predictors of histologic tumor grade for midgut neuroendocrine tumors
Ramirez, RA, Beyer, DT, Wang, YZ, Oliva, I, Voros, B, Kokodis, I, Thiagarajan, R, Ricks, MJ, Bren-Mattison, Boudreaux, JP, Wang, YZ, Woltering, EA, Clinical Oncology Research, 1/31/2020
Lung cancer in HIV-infected patients and the role of targeted therapy
Ruiz, M, Ramirez, RA, J Community and Supportive Onc, 8/2015
Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia: A single center experience
A. Chauhan, R.A. Ramirez, Lung, 1/1/2015
Lung cancer in HIV-infected patients and the role of targeted therapy
M. Ruiz, R.A. Ramirez, J Community and Supportive Oncology, 1/1/2015
Transition of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor from ghrelinoma to insulinoma: A case report
A. Chaunan, R.A. Ramirez, M. Stevens, L. Burns, E.W. Woltering, J Gastrointestinal Onc, 1/1/2015
Size and histologic characteristics of lymph node material retrieved from remnant tissue after routine pathologic examination of lung cancer resection specimens
R.U. Osarogiagbon, R.A. Ramirez, C.G. Wang, L.E. Miller, C.A. Adair, M.M. Smeltzer, X. Yu, A. Berry, Ann Diagn Pathol, 1/1/2014
Disparities in care for HIV patients with lung cancer
D.H. Johnson, M.A. Ruiz, R.A. Ramirez, J Clin Oncol, 1/1/2014
Incomplete pulmonary lymph node retrieval after routine pathology examination of resected lung cancer
R.A. Ramirez, C.G. Wang, L.E. Miller, C. Adair, A. Berry, T.F. O'Brien, X. Yu, R.U. Osarogiagbon, J Clin Oncol, 1/10/2012
Alterations in mast cell frequency and relationship to angiogenesis in the rat mammary gland during puberty, pregnancy, lactation, involution, and the estrous cycle
R.A. Ramirez, A. Lee, P. Schedin, J.S. Russell, P.A. Masso-Welch, Developmental Dynamics, 1/1/2012
A feasibility study of interventions to improve lymph node collection and pathologic examination of lung cancer resection specimens
R.A. Ramirez, L.E. Miller, C.G. Wang, T. O'Brien, A. Khandekar, G.P. Schoettle, S.G. Robbins, E.T. Robbins, J.B. Gibson, R.U. Osarogiagbon, J Clin Oncol, 1/1/2012
Osarogiagbon Number and location of examined lymph nodes (LN) and survival after resection of 'node-negative' non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
L. E. Miller, R. A. Ramirez, C. Wang, T. O'Brien, A. B. Weir III, H. Cole, R. U., J Clin Oncol, 1/1/2011
Osarogiagbon Comparison of survival between the American joint committee on cancer (AJCC) 6 and 7 lung cancer staging systems in a resection cohort
C. Wang, L. E. Miller, R. A. Ramirez, M. T. Chi, M. Ul-Haq, R. A. Arteta-Bulos, A. Farooq, J. W. Allen, A. B. Weir III, H. Cole, T. O'Brien, R. U., J Clin Oncol, 1/1/2011
Inhibition of angiogenesis by the chemopreventive agent conjugated linoleic acid
P.A Masso-Welch, D. Zangani, C. Ip, M.M. Vaughan, S. Shoemaker, R.A. Ramirez and M.M., Cancer Res, 1/1/2002
Inhibition of angiogenesis by the chemopreventive agent conjugated linoleic acid (Erratum)
P.A Masso-Welch, D. Zangani, C. Ip, M.M. Vaughan, S. Shoemaker, R.A. Ramirez and M.M., Cancer Res, 1/1/2002
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Books/Book Chapters

The Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Chapter: Cleft Lip
L.F. Gulli, R.A. Ramirez, and B. NasserGale Group, Detroit, MIEdition 1st,2003
The Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Chapter: Ear, nose and throat surgery
L.F. Gulli and R.A. RamirezGale Group, Detroit, MIEdition 1st,2003
The Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Chapter: Labyrinthectom
L.F. Gulli and R.A. RamirezGale Group, Detroit, MIEdition 1st,2003
The Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Chapter: Craniotomy
L.F. Gulli, N. Mallory, and R.A. RamirezGale Group, Detroit, MIEdition 1st,2003
The Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Chapter: Finger reattachment
L.F.Gulli, B. Nasser and R.A. RamirezGale Group, Detroit, MIEdition 1st,2003
The Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Chapter: Hand surgery
L.F.Gulli, B. Nasser and R.A. Ramirez, N. MalloryGale Group, Detroit, MIEdition 1st,2003
The Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Chapter: Laser surgery
L.F.Gulli, B. Nasser and R.A. RamirezGale Group, Detroit, MIEdition 1st,2003
The Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Chapter: Pericardiocentesis
L.F. Gulli, A. Mori, A.F. Ettaher and R.A. RamirezGale Group, Detroit, MIEdition 1st,2003
The Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Chapter: Pediatric surgery
L.F. Gulli, N. Mallory, A.F. Ettaher and R.A. RamirezGale Group, Detroit, MIEdition 1st,2003
The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Chapter: Nasal Trauma.
L.F. Gulli and R.A. RamirezGale Group, Detroit, MIEdition 2nd,2002
The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders
Chapter: Cornelia de Lange Syndrome
L.F. Gulli and R.A. RamirezGale Group, Detroit, MIEdition 1st,2002
The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Chapter: Pelvic Examination
L.F. Gulli and R.A. RamirezGale Group, Detroit, MIEdition 2nd,2002
The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Chapter: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
L.F. Gulli and R.A. RamirezGale Group, Detroit, MIEdition 2nd,2002
The Gale Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders
Chapter: Assessment and Diagnosis
L.F. Gulli, B. Nasser, and R.A. RamirezGale Group, Detroit, MIEdition 1st,2002
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Abstracts/Posters

Incidence of nodal positivity in appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors and its effect on survival.
E.A. Woltering, D.T. Beyer, R. Thiagarajan, Y.Z. Wang, R.A. Ramirez, J.P. Boudreaux, 2015 North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, 1/16/2015
Is surgical cytoreduction for stage IV pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors justifiable.
Y.Z. Wang, E. McCord, M.A. Stevens, A.E. Diebold, R.A. Ramirez, J.P. Boudreaux, E.A. Woltering, 2015 North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, 1/16/2015
The role of capecitabine/temozolomide (CAPTEM) in metastatic neuroendocrine tumors: A neuroendocrine tumor program experience.
R.A.Ramirez, A. Chauhan, D.T. Beyer, J.P. Boudreaux, Y.Z. Wang, E.A. Woltering, 2015 North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, 1/16/2015
Clinical and pathologic characteristics of bronchial carcinoid tumors: A single institution review.
R.A. Ramirez, D.T. Beyer, A.E. Diebold, M.M. Chester, Y.Z. Wang, J.P. Boudreaux, R.J. Campeau, A.P. Ulhorn, P. Ryan, L.B. Anthony, 16th World Conference on Lung Cancer, Denver, CO, 1/9/2015
Transition of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor from ghrelinoma to insulinoma: A case report.
A. Chauhan, R.A. Ramirez, M. Stevens, E.W. Woltering, 2014 International Society of Gastrointestinal Oncology Conference, Arlington, VA, 1/24/2014
In vitro chemotherapy profiling of well-differentiated midgut neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) based on individual patient tumor biomarkers analysis.
Y.Z. Wang, J.P. Carrasquillo, A. Carimi, E. McCord, M.M. Chester, R.A. Ramirez, J.P. Boudreaux, E.W. Woltering, D. Raines, L.B. Anthony, 2014 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, San Francisco, CA, 1/16/2014
Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia: A single center experience.
A. Chauhan, R.A. Ramirez, 2014 North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN, 1/10/2014
Theranostics with I-131/I-123 Meta-Iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) in stage IV advanced malignant neuroendocrine tumors.
R.J. Campeau, E.A. Woltering, J.P. Boudreaux, Y.Z. Wang, R.A. Ramirez, 2014 North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN, 1/10/2014
Audit of mediastinal lymph node examination in non-small cell lung cancer resections using a specimen collection kit and check list intervention.
R.U Osarogiagbon, S. Sareen, R.A. Ramirez, L.E. Miller, C.G. Wang, S. Phillips, K. Kernstine, J.B. Putnam, E.T. Robbins, 15th World Conference on Lung Cancer, Sydney, Australia, 1/29/2013
The prevalence of micrometastasis in discarded intrapulmonary lymph nodes in resected non-small cell lung cancer.
R. U. Osarogiagbon, S. Sareen, C.G. Wang, R.A. Ramirez, L.E. Miller, J. Rodriguez, R. Eisenberg, S. Suster, I.I. Wistuba, 15th World Conference on Lung Cancer, Sydney, Australia, 1/28/2013
The association between size and histology in discarded intrapulmonary lymph nodes from non-small cell lung cancer resection specimens: can we select nodes for examina...
R.U. Osarogiagbon, R.A. Ramirez, C.G. Wang, L.E. Miller, X. Yu, M. Smeltzer, 15th World Conference on Lung Cancer, Sydney, Australia, 1/28/2013
Cardiac manifestations of non-small cell lung cancer.
N.J. DiSalvo, C. Caruthers, R.A. Ramirez, Southern Society for Clinical Investigation Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 1/21/2013
Bronchial carcinoid tumors: A single institution review.
R.A. Ramirez, A.E. Diebold, M.M. Chester, Y.Z. Wang, J.P. Boudreaux, R.J. Campeau, A.P. Ulhorn, P. Ryan, L.B. L.B. Anthony, 2013 North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society Annual Meeting, Charleston, SC, 1/4/2013
Osarogiagbon. Dual intervention with a lymph node specimen collection kit and enhanced specimen dissection to improve staging of resectable non-small cell lung cancer.
S. Sareen, R.A. Ramirez, A.Y. Javed, L.E. Miller, C.G. Wang, M. Smeltzer, A. Khandekar, G.P. Schoettle Jr., S.G. Robbins, J.B. Gibson, B.A. Wolf, E.T. Robbins, R.U. Os..., American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, 1/1/2013
Does the addition of adjuvant intraoperative post dissection tumor bed chemotherapy during GI neuroendocrine tumor debulking benefit patients?
Y.Z. Wang, A. Chauhan, R.A. Ramirez, M.A. Stevens, J. Phillip Boudreaux, E. Woltering, L.B. Anthony, 2015 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, San Francisco, CA, 1/16/2012
Radionuclide therapy with Meta-Iodo-Benzl-Guanidine (MIBG) for patients with MIBG avid pulmonary carcinoid tumors.
R.A. Ramirez, D.T. Beyer, R.J. Campeau, 16th World Conference on Lung Cancer, Denver, CO, 1/8/2012
The state of pathology examinations after resection of lung cancer: a trend analysis before and after quality improvement interventions and summary of ongoing problems
C. Wang, R.A. Ramirez, L.E. Miller, A. Farooq, J.W. Allen, A.B. Weir, A. Berry, T. O'Brien, F.H. Cole, R.U. Osarogiagbon, 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1/7/2011
Size characteristics of lymph node material retrieved from remnant tissue after routine pathology examination of lung cancer resection specimens.
R.U. Osarogiagbon, R.A. Ramirez, C.G. Wang, L.E. Miller, C.A. Adair, A. Berry, T. O'Brien, 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1/7/2011
Special pathologic examination improves lymph node (LN) retrieval in resected lung cancer.
R.A. Ramirez, C.G. Wang, L.E. Miller, C.A. Adair, T. O'Brien, A. Berry and R.U. Osarogiagbon, 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1/7/2011
Dose adjustments are problematic in common toxicities of bevacizumab.
S.S. Stelts, L. Azari, R.A. Ramirez, 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1/5/2011
Influence of a special surgical specimen collection kit on the quality of mediastinal lymph node examination during resection of lung cancer.
L.E. Miller, R.A. Ramirez, C.G. Wang, T. O'Brien, E.T. Robbins, J.J. Ellichman, A. Khandekar, G.P. Schoettle, S.G. Robbins, J.B. Gibson, R.U. Osarogiagbon, 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1/4/2011
Surgeon-determined variability in quality of surgical resection of lung cancer.
R.A. Ramirez, A. Farooq, J.W. Allen, A. Berry, T. O'Brien, H. Cole, R.U. Osarogiagbon, American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, 1/6/2010
Quantification of the difficulty of accruing patients into quality-restrictive post-resection clinical trials for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
J.W.Allen, A. Farooq, R.A. Ramirez, M. Ninan, R.U. Osarogiagbon, 13th World Conference on Lung Cancer, San Francisco, CA, 1/4/2009
Effective use of unfractionated heparin is still problematic in hospitalized patients: Need for innovated educational intervention.
R.A. Ramirez, T. Morino, D.L. Smith, S. Polli, V. Rajput, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Cooper University Research Week, Camden, NJ, 1/21/2008
An uncommon tumor at an uncommon site: Two cases of plasmacytomas involving the clivus.
R.A. Ramirez, Z.G. Skaff, C. Dalsania, N.A. Lachant, N. Lerman, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Cooper University Research Week, Camden, NJ, 1/15/2007
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Lectures

A phase II trial of pembrolizumab in combination with cisplatin or carboplatin and etoposide in chemotherapy naive patients with metastatic or unresectable high-grade ...
ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium - San Francisco, CA - 1/24/2020
Update on the Medical Management of Neuroendocrine Tumors
Baton Rogue, LA, 2015; New Orleans, LA, 2015 - 1/27/2015
Neuroendocrine tumors of the lung
New Orleans, LA - 1/11/2015
Best of the 15th World Conference on Lung Cancer
New Orleans, LA - 1/31/2014
Primary plasma cell leukemia.
New Orleans, LA - 1/21/2013
Lung cancer 2013
Kenner, LA - 1/19/2013
Update on Colorectal Cancers Part
New Orleans, LA - 1/3/2013
Emergencies and urgencies in patients with lung cancer.
New Orleans, LA - 1/1/2013
Socioeconomic factors and its impact on lung cancer care at a southern urban tertiary care medical center.
New Orleans, LA - 1/18/2012
Size distribution and metastasis in discarded intrapulmonary lymph nodes after lung cancer resection.
Chicago, IL - 1/2/2012
Influence of a special surgical specimen collection kit on the quality of mediastinal lymph node examination during resection of lung cancer.
Boston, MA - 1/24/2011
Size and lymph node examination in resected non-small cell lung cancer.
Boston, MA - 1/24/2011
Incomplete intrapulmonary lymph node retrieval with routine pathology evaluation of resected lung cancer.
Chicago, IL - 1/4/2011
Survival analysis of patients with/without lymph node examination after lung cancer resection.
Chicago, IL - 1/4/2011
A comparison of interventions to improve intraoperative lymph node (LN) collection and pathologic examination of lung resection specimens.
Amsterdam, Netherlands - 1/4/2011
Changes in leukocyte populations in the rat mammary gland during the estrous cycle.
Buffalo, NY - 1/20/2000
Estrous cycle changes in the rat mammary gland.
Buffalo, NY - 1/10/1999
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