Robert Goldstone, MD

Dr. Goldstone received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. He completed his general surgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital followed by a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery back at Mount Sinai.

Dr. Goldstone treats the full spectrum of benign and malignant colorectal and anorectal disease, with particular expertise in colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticular disease, rectal prolapse, and complex colorectal conditions. He specializes in advanced minimally invasive and robotic surgery and has a particular interest in approaches designed to improve recovery, preserve function, and minimize the impact of surgery. His expertise includes natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE), transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM), and transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS), as well as organ-preserving strategies for appropriately selected patients with rectal neoplasia. His clinical interests also focus on the treatment of perianal disease, including hemorrhoids, anal fissures, anal fistulas, anal dysplasia, and condyloma.

An accomplished clinical investigator, Dr. Goldstone was a Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellow and a recipient of an American College of Surgeons Research Scholarship. His research has examined important questions in colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and diverticular disease, with a particular focus on surgical decision-making, operative approaches, and outcomes across large patient populations. His work seeks to translate rigorous outcomes research into better surgical care and more individualized treatment for patients with colorectal disease.

Dr. Goldstone is equally committed to training the next generation of surgeons. At Massachusetts General Hospital, he served on the Surgical Council on Resident Education and played an active role in surgical residency education and mentorship. As Division Chief at Columbia, he brings this commitment to education together with a vision for expanding access to highly specialized colorectal care, advancing innovative surgical techniques, strengthening multidisciplinary programs, and growing the division’s clinical and academic impact.

Dr. Goldstone has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and editorials and serves as a reviewer for leading surgical journals. He has presented his work at regional, national, and international meetings and has been repeatedly recognized as a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly and Boston Magazine.

Through his combination of surgical expertise, academic rigor, innovation, and commitment to patient-centered care, Dr. Goldstone will help shape the continued growth of colorectal surgery at Columbia and NewYork-Presbyterian.