Dr. Richard S. Bockman, MD, PhD

Dr. Richard S. Bockman is an internationally recognized endocrinologist and physician-scientist, best known for his pioneering work in metabolic bone disease, osteoporosis, and the clinical translation of gallium-based therapies. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has combined laboratory discovery with patient care, mentoring generations of trainees and expanding clinical services at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), where he served as Chief of the Endocrine Service for over 35 years.

Academic Background

B.A. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (1962)
M.D. Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (1967)
Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry Rockefeller University, New York, NY (1971)
- Thesis: High Resolution NMR Conformation of Polymyxin B (Laboratory of Dr. Lyman C. Craig)
Research Fellowship, Hôpital Broussais, Paris, France (1964–1965)
Fellow in Medicine/Endocrinology, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY (1971–1973)
Residency in Medicine, New York University, New York, NY (1973–1975)

Professional Appointments

Associate Sloan-Kettering Institute (1971–1973)
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Cornell University (1971–1973)
Associate Member & Laboratory Head, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (1975–1988)
Associate Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College (1982–1990)
Senior Scientist, Hospital for Special Surgery (1988–present)
Chief, Endocrine Service, Hospital for Special Surgery (1988–2025)

Board Certifications

Dr. Bockman is board certified in:

New York Medical License (1968–present)
Internal Medicine – Board Certified (1974, permanent)
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism – Board Eligible
Fellow, American College of Physicians (1980–present)
National Board of Physicians & Surgeons (2015–2025)

Professional Memberships

Fellow, American College of Physicians
American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) – Fellow since 2018
Endocrine Society
American Society for Clinical Investigation
American Federation for Clinical Research (1975–1985)

Hospital Privileges

Attending Physician, Hospital for Special Surgery (1988–present)
Attending Physician, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital (1975–present)

Get to Know Dr. Richard S. Bockman

Why Did You Become a Doctor?

My father was a physician, and I admired the respect people had for him. His path wasn’t straightforward—he started as a civics teacher in a rough neighborhood, even got into a fistfight with a student (!), but found his true calling in medicine. His journey inspired mine.

What Made You Focus on Endocrinology?

It was a calculated choice. Most department chairs in academic medicine were endocrinologists, and I saw them as the sharpest, most intellectually curious physicians.

What Is Your Approach to Medicine?

Though I can appear gruff, I genuinely love people. After years as a lab scientist, I realized I missed direct patient care. Since my house staff days at Bellevue, I’ve been committed to listening closely and treating patients as partners.

Do You Do Any Philanthropic Work?

I have served on FDA medical advisory panels and volunteered my expertise for multiple bone and endocrine organizations, advancing the field at both the national and international level.

Publications

Selected Original Research Articles

Kurland JI, Bockman RS (First co-author), Broxmeyer HE, Moore MA. Limitation of excessive myelopoiesis by prostaglandin E. Science. 1978;199:552–555.
Bockman RS (First co-author), Boskey AL, Blumenthal NC, Warrell RP. Gallium increases bone calcium and hydroxyapatite crystallinity. Calcif Tissue Int. 1986;39:98–105.
Warrell RP, Bockman RS, Coonley CJ, Isaacs M, Staszewski H. Gallium nitrate for cancer-related hypercalcemia. A randomized double-blind study. Ann Intern Med. 1988;108(5):669–674.
Bockman RS (First co-author), Rothschild M, et al. Prostaglandin E inhibition of T-lymphocyte colony formation. J Clin Invest. 1979;63:494–499.
Bockman RS, Guidon PT. The role of prostaglandins and tumor necrosis factor in osteoblast regulation. J Bone Miner Res. 1993;8(Suppl 2):S555–S561.
Bockman RS (First co-author), Weinstein RS, et al. Glucocorticoid effects on bone in rheumatoid arthritis patients: insights from histomorphometry. Arthritis Rheum. 1987;30:152–159.

Selected Reviews & Monographs

Bockman RS (First co-author), Warrell RP. Gallium nitrate in the treatment of cancer-related hypercalcemia and bone metastases. Semin Oncol. 1991;18(2 Suppl 5):21–27.
Bockman RS. Prostaglandins in metabolic bone disease. Endocr Rev. 1989;10(2):165–196.
Bockman RS. Metabolic bone disease in rheumatology. In: Firestein GS, et al. (eds). Kelley’s Textbook of Rheumatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2004.

Research

Dr. Bockman’s research has advanced the understanding of prostaglandins in hematopoiesis and lymphopoiesis, the role of immune cells in bone regulation, and the development of gallium therapies. He helped bring gallium nitrate from the laboratory bench to FDA approval for cancer-related hypercalcemia. More recently, his clinical research has focused on osteoporosis, glucocorticoid effects on bone, and imaging biomarkers of bone quality.

Key Contributions