Dr. Daniel Sussman’s Research Overview
A professor of Clinical Medicine with clinical interest in the prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC) and heritable cancer syndromes of the gastrointestinal tract. He completed a medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. His postdoctoral training includes an internship, residency in Internal Medicine, and fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Sussman is actively involved in a number of research efforts at the University. He is devoted to improving methods to identify and prevent CRC including underused modalities and improving strategies to identify families with heritable GI cancer syndromes. His public health degree has provided experience in public health, community-based research, statistical management, and bioinformatic investigations that laid the foundation for his niche in understanding disparities in CRC, its prevention through screening uptake, and the role of molecular markers of GI malignancy. He has been able to incorporate further intensive training in cancer risk assessment and cancer genetics into his clinical practice.
He is also evaluating differences in CRC-based molecular and epigenetic markers among racial/ethnic groups in South Florida and is actively collaborating with other centers on projects related to screening for CRC and pancreas cancers in high-risk populations as determined by genetics and personal/family history of GI-tract cancers.
Heritable cancer syndromes of the gastrointestinal tract
Dr. Sussman co-manages a multi-disciplinary Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Clinic in collaboration with the Genetics Department, including the services of a genetic counselor for patients requiring risk assessment for heritable GI tract cancers. This shared service offers comprehensive genetic counseling and GI medical and endoscopic care for families with a history of cancer. This is the only such service available in South Florida, where genetic counselors perform testing for potential heritable syndromes with a simultaneous personalized GI risk management program for each family, including recommendations for cancer screening and medical preventive measures.
- Participate in a multi-disciplinary Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Clinic in collaboration with Genetics Department and genetic counselor
- For patients desiring a risk assessment for heritable GI tract cancers based on medical and family histories, including Lynch Syndrome, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, and families with increased burden of colon, pancreas, and stomach cancers
- Shared service offers comprehensive education, genetic counseling, medical assessment, and endoscopic care for families with a history of cancer
- Risk management program for each family, including recommendations for cancer screening or medical preventive measures.
For further information, please see his UM Physician Profile