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Richard J. Gray, M.D.

  1. Vice President, Mayo Clinic
  2. Chief Executive Officer, Arizona
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Departments

Location

  1. Phoenix, Arizona

Languages

English

Existing patients

Richard J. Gray, M.D., FACS, is a surgical oncologist and professor of surgery at the Arizona campus of the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. He has been on the faculty of Mayo Clinic since 2001. Dr. Gray is the co-director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Breast Health in Arizona and co-chair of the Breast Disease Group for all of Mayo Clinic. He has published more than 110 peer-reviewed research manuscripts. His areas of specialized clinical care and research include:

  • Breast cancer prevention and treatment
  • Retroperitoneal sarcoma
  • Melanoma
  • Surgical oncology

Dr. Gray is also deeply involved in the education of physicians in training, practicing physicians, patients and the public. He was recognized as the 2013 Mayo Clinic Distinguished Educator and has received numerous other education awards during his career. His emphasis on education extends to his own patients with whom he takes pride in providing detailed explanations and education on their cancer and their best treatment options.

Dr. Gray strives for precision treatment tailored to each patient's unique tumor as well as the unique characteristics and goals of each patient as an individual.

  1. Breast cancer
  2. Melanoma
  3. Sarcoma
  4. Stomach cancer
  1. Cancer treatment
  2. Intraoperative radiation therapy
  3. Radiation therapy
  4. Sentinel node biopsy
  • Breast cancer
  • Melanoma
  • Sarcoma
  • Gastric cancer
  • Surgical oncology
  • Local-regional breast cancer therapy
  • Local recurrence risks and margin status in cancer treatment
  • Melanoma
  • Sentinel lymph node
  • Intraoperative radiation therapy
  1. 2001
    Fellow - Surgical OncologyH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
  2. 2000
    ResidentSurgery - General (Categorical) Residency, Surgery, Programs in Arizona, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  3. 2000
    Chief Resident Associate - General SurgeryMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  4. 1999
    Resident - General SurgeryMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  5. 1995
    MDCollege of Human Medicine, Michigan State University
  6. 1991
    BA - cum laudeLake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Certifications

  1. 2001
    General SurgeryAmerican Board of Surgery

Awards and honors

  1. 2025
    Colangelo Servant Leadership AwardColangelo School of Business, Grand Canyon University
  2. 2025
    Outstanding Alumnus AwardLake Superior State University
  3. 2015
    America's Top DoctorsUS News and World Reports
  4. 2014
    Program Director Recognition AwardMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  5. 2014
    Top 1% of Surgeons in United StatesU.S. News and World Report Top Doctors
  6. 2013
    Mayo Clinic Distinguished Educator AwardMayo Clinic in Arizona
  7. 2013
    Educator of the Year - Surgery and Surgical SubspecialtiesMayo Clinic in Arizona
  8. 2013
    Top 1% of Surgeons in United StatesU.S. News and World Report Top Doctors
  9. 2011
    Educator of the YearDepartment of Surgery
  10. 2008
    Kenneth Shouldice Alumnus Achievement AwardLake Superior State University
  11. 2006
    Educator of the Year - Surgery/Surgical SpecialtiesMayo Clinic in Arizona
  12. 2003
    Most Outstanding CME Educator of the YearMayo Clinic in Arizona
  13. 2002
    Educator of the Year - Surgery and Surgical SubspecialtiesMayo Clinic in Arizona
  14. 2001
    Excellence in Teaching RecognitionMayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  15. 2000
    Mayo Foundation ScholarMayo Clinic
  16. 1995
    Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor SocietyAlpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
  17. 1993
    Department of Surgery Award of Excellence - Most outstanding Medical StudentCollege of Human Medicine, Michigan State University
  18. 1991
    Cum LaudeLake Superior State University
  19. 1991
    Kiwanis Scholastic Award - Senior Athlete with Highest Academic CompetenceLake Superior State University
  20. 1991
    Raymond Chelberg Award - Most Outstanding Student-AthleteLake Superior State University
  21. 1990
    Raymond Chelberg Award - Most Outstanding Student-AthleteLake Superior State University
  22. 1989
    Raymond Chelberg Award - Most Outstanding Student-AthleteLake Superior State University
  23. 1988
    MemberAlpha Chi Honor Society
  24. 1987
    Board of Control Distinguished ScholarLake Superior State University

Professional memberships

  1. 2020 - present
    MemberGreater Phoenix Economic Council
  2. 2016 - present
    Vice ChairMayo Clinic Cancer Center IMP
  3. 2016 - present
    MemberAmerican College of Surgeons Oncology Group
  4. 2015 - present
    ChairBreast Cancer Specialty Council, Mayo Clinic Specialty Council, Mayo Clinic Clinical Practice Committee
  5. 2015 - present
    Associate Program DirectorGeneral Surgery Residency, Department of Surgery
  6. 2015 - present
    Physician CoordinatorPlummer Project, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  7. 2014 - present
    MemberCancer Center Executive Committee, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Committees, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
  8. 2014 - 2015
    MemberProgram Committee, American Society of Breast Surgeons
  9. 2014 - present
    Guideline PanelistNational Comprehensive Cancer Network
  10. 2013 - 2014
    Committee MemberSouthwest Surgical Congress
  11. 2013 - present
    Active FellowSouthwest Surgical Congress
  12. 2011 - present
    ChairmanCancer Clinical Practice Subcommittee, Clinical Practice Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
  13. 2011 - present
    MemberAlliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
  14. 2010 - present
    ChairmanCancer Clinical Practice Subcommittee, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  15. 2009 - present
    MemberBreast Cancer DOG, Disease/Discipline Oriented Groups (DOGs), Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
  16. 2009 - present
    MemberArizona Medical Association
  17. 2008 - present
    ChairmanEducation Committee, General Surgery Residency, Department of Surgery
  18. 2007 - 2011
    MemberEthics Committee, Mayo Clinic Committees
  19. 2006 - present
    Cancer Liaison PhysicianAmerican College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, American College of Surgeons
  20. 2006 - present
    Committee MemberAmerican College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, American College of Surgeons
  21. 2006 - 2014
    State ChairCommission on Cancer, American College of Surgeons
  22. 2006 - 2014
    Board MemberState Executive Board, American College of Surgeons
  23. 2006 - present
    MemberCancer Clinical Practice Subcommittee, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  24. 2004 - 2015
    Program DirectorGeneral Surgery Residency, Department of Surgery
  25. 2004 - 2006
    DirectorYear III Surgical Clerkship, Scottsdale Campus, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  26. 2003 - present
    MemberAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology
  27. 2002 - present
    ChairBreast Disease Site Group, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center - Arizona, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
  28. 2002 - present
    MemberExecutive Committee, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center - Arizona, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
  29. 2002 - present
    MemberSociety of Surgical Oncology
  30. 2001 - present
    MemberArizona Chapter American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Surgery
  31. 2001 - present
    FellowAmerican College of Surgeons
  32. 2001 - 2011
    MemberNorth Central Cancer Treatment Group
  33. 2001 - 2006
    MemberYear III Surgical Clerkship, Scottsdale Campus, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  34. 2001 - present
    MemberAssociation of Program Directors in Surgery
  35. 2001 - 2012
    MemberEastern Cooperative Oncology Group
  36. 2001 - 2009
    Vice ChairSurgery and Surgical Specialties Graduate Education Subcommittee, Education Committee, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
  37. 2001 - present
    MemberPriestley Society
  38. 1999 - 2000
    MemberHealth Information Coordinating Subcommittee, Clinical Practice Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
  39. 1999 - 2000
    MemberEducation Committee, Executive Operations Team - Arizona, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  40. 1998 - 2000
    MemberEducation Committee, General Surgery Residency, Department of Surgery
  41. 1994 - present
    MemberAlpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
  42.  
    MemberCancer Center Committee, Executive Operations Team - Arizona, Mayo Clinic Arizona Committees
  43.  
    MemberAmerican Society of Breast Surgeons
  44.  
    MemberAmerican Medical Association

Publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.