Tamara A. LaCouture, MD, Named Jefferson Health's 2026 New Jersey Healthcare Hero

Tamara LaCouture, MD, was recently honored as Jefferson Health's 2026 New Jersey Healthcare Hero at the Jefferson Health - New Jersey Gala.

Dr. LaCouture, Chief of Cancer Services, Jefferson Health New Jersey, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center; Section Chief & Medical Director of Radiation Oncology; Medical Director of Oncology Services for Jefferson Medical Group New Jersey; and Clinical Associate Professor, is a physician, family member of cancer patients, and a cancer survivor herself. She approaches care from that unique perspective, which gives her special insight into her patients’ needs.

Born and raised in Burlington County, New Jersey, where she still lives with her husband and two sons, Dr. LaCouture graduated from St Joseph’s University in 1990 with a BS in Biology. She earned her medical degree from UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (now Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson) in 1994, and completed her Radiation Oncology residency at Cooper Hospital in 1998.

She has provided cancer care to the South Jersey community for more than 25 years with her areas of practice in the treatment of women’s malignancies (breast and gynecological) and lung, brain, and GI cancers using advanced technologies and focusing on patient safety.

Dr. LaCouture has overseen the comprehensive upgrade of radiation treatment technology in Washington Township, and has served as clinical lead for the transition of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington Township with the construction of a new Medical Oncology suite and radiation technology upgrades. She was the clinical lead for construction of the new cancer center in Cherry Hill, and was responsible for bringing the first ETHOS adaptive linac machine to the South Jersey region.

Dr. LaCouture is also the lead for the development of the clinical trial programs at both SKCCC campuses in South Jersey.

She serves on the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) committees, contributing to policy and training for future generations of Radiation Oncologists.

Dr. LaCouture lectures regionally and nationally, and has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications primarily focused on expanding the safety of advanced technologies. She has been recognized as a Top Doctor in the region for more than two decades.

When not taking care of her patients, Dr. LaCouture enjoys making memories with her family, at the beach.