Dr. Rian M. Hasson serves as a thoracic surgeon and the inaugural vice chair for Faculty Enrichment in the Department of Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Born and raised in Southern California, she earned her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley. Subsequently, she attended medical school at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, followed by general surgery training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She completed her cardiothoracic residency at The Ohio State University and received additional training in thoracic surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Prior to joining the Brigham, she worked at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, along with the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice.

During her general surgery training, she pursued a basic science clinical research fellowship funded through a Ruth L. Kirschstein Training Grant. Under the guidance of Dr. Monica Bertagnolli at Dana- Farber Cancer Institute, she specialized in cancer cell biology, which deepened her appreciation for scientific investigation and discovery. Transitioning to cardiothoracic surgery training, she shifted her research focus to outcomes research, recognizing its potential to positively influence medical practice. Recognizing that her clinical work brought immediate gratification, she came to understand that her research endeavors offered long-term fulfillment by driving changes in medical practice. Consequently, she pursued an MPH at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, completing it in June 2021. Presently, she actively engages as a health services researcher, concentrating on identifying and improving barriers to lung cancer screening within the broader Boston area.

Her passion for cancer research is rooted in experiences within her own family, with three grandparents succumbing to smoking-related diseases. This experience fueled her interest in early detection efforts. As a practicing thoracic surgeon, she is dedicated to addressing barriers in lung cancer care and screening, along with community roadblocks in surgery to enhance outcomes and survival. Believing that our youth will protect our future, she served as a mentor for medical students interested in surgery at the Geisel School of Medicine.

In her current role as vice chair for Faculty Enrichment, Dr. Hasson emphasizes the link between patient access to care, health outcomes, and the Brigham’s commitment to faculty enrichment.

Since joining the department of surgery, she has implemented initiatives to improve faculty and trainee recruitment and retention and uphold the pledge to ensure we develop, sustain, and engage our entire workforce through resource building, connection and collaboration to drive excellence in our delivery of healthcare.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling internationally, cooking, and engaging in the arts.