Meet the HIPEC Experts
Our team is one of the most experienced in the world at this procedure. Our experts have performed hundreds of cytoreductive/HIPEC surgeries, and typically perform 1–2 procedures a week. To make an appointment with Dr. Lowy or Dr. Baumgartner, call 858-822-2124.
Andrew M. Lowy, MD
Andrew M. Lowy, MD, a distinguished cancer surgeon and director of our Division of Surgical Oncology, has a primary interest in cancers of the pancreas, liver and GI tract. He is recognized worldwide for his expertise in the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer and for investigating novel cancer treatments, including heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to treat advanced abdominal cancers.
Dr. Lowy, who has served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Clinical Oncology and the Annals of Surgical Oncology, received his undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College, with surgical training residency at Cornell Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Lowy’s surgical oncology fellowship training was at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Dr. Lowy serves as surgical liaison to the Pancreas Subcommittee of the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), which is one of the largest National Cancer Institute cooperative groups. He also co-chairs the National Cancer Institute’s Pancreatic Cancer Task Force, which is charged with setting the direction of clinical research in pancreatic cancer in the United States. He has conducted extensive research in gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancer with funding from the National Cancer Institute.
When not at work, Dr. Lowy enjoys playing tennis, traveling and going to baseball games with his wife and three children.
Joel M. Baumgartner, MD
Joel M. Baumgartner, MD, is a surgical oncologist with expertise in cancers of the GI tract and melanoma. He has a specific interest in treating tumors that have metastasized to the abdomen using the treatment known as “chemo bath” or hyperthermic (heated) intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).
Dr. Baumgartner trained at the University of Pittsburgh, one of highest-volume HIPEC centers in the world, where he gained significant experience with the procedure.
He is board certified in general surgery and completed a surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh with a focus on clinical research, which included additional training in the development and conduct of clinical trials.
Dr. Baumgartner also treats melanoma and performs wide local excision of these tumors, sentinel lymph node biopsies, and lymph node dissections.
He is a member of numerous societies, including the Society of Surgical Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and is an associate member of the American Association for Cancer Research and the American College of Surgeons. His research interests are in clinical trials, HIPEC, melanoma and immunotherapy.
When not at work, Dr. Baumgartner enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and keeping up with his young son.