Dr. Marsha Harris, MD, FACS, FASCRS [she/her] is a distinguished colorectal surgeon, educator, and advocate whose career is defined by a rare trifecta of academic brilliance, historic athletic achievement, and clinical leadership. Based in New York City, she is board-certified and holds prestigious fellowships in the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.
Dr. Harris's journey began at New York University (NYU), where she earned a degree in chemistry while becoming one of the most decorated scholar-athletes in NCAA history. In 1997, she famously led the NYU Violets to the NCAA Division III National Championship, hitting the game-winning shot with seconds remaining. Her prowess on the court was matched by her intellectual rigor, earning her the 1998 NCAA Walter Byers Award—the nation's highest academic honor for a student-athlete. She remains the University Athletic Association's all-time leading scorer.
After earning her medical degree from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Dr. Harris completed specialized training in general and colorectal surgery. In 2021, she founded Park Avenue Colon and Rectal Surgery, an independent practice specializing in minimally invasive techniques for complex gastrointestinal conditions. She also serves as a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at NYU, shaping future surgeons through clinical education.
Beyond the operating room, Dr. Harris is a fierce proponent of health equity. As a founding member of the Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition, she advocates for policy changes to eliminate disparities in medical coverage. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the 2026 NYU Distinguished Alumni Award, the 2023 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, and perennial placement on the Castle Connolly and New York Magazine "Top Doctors" lists. Dr. Harris continues to bridge the worlds of medicine, entrepreneurship, and advocacy to advance medical justice.
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