Best Renal Transplant Doctors in Forest Hills, NY

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Benjamin Samstein, MD is Chief of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery in the Department of Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine and Associate Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University. Dr. Samstein is the Surgical Director of the Living Donor Liver Transplant Program at NYP. Dr. Samstein is a renowned pioneer in minimally invasive liver surgery and state-of-the-art laparoscopic techniques for liver cancer. Dr. Samstein is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. Dr. Samstein heads up the multidisciplinary liver transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery team at NYP/Weill Cornell. His specialties include the most advanced laparoscopic procedures for liver cancer, benign liver tumors and hepatobiliary pancreatic disease. He has been invited to talk about minimally invasive liver surgery throughout the world. He is a member of many surgical societies including a founding member of the International Laparoscopic Liver Society (ILLS), American Society of Transplant Surgery, American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA). He is the Chair of the Medical Advisory Board of LiveOnNY and served as the Regional representation to the Liver and Intestine Committee of UNOS from 2014 to 2016. Dr. Samstein is well-published in the field, authoring more than 40 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious medical and surgical journals, books and book chapters. Other areas of clinical expertise include hepatic adenoma, hepatic hemangioma, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal metastasis, live donor nephrectomy, laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy, and pediatric liver and organ transplant. Dr. Samstein received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University in 1992 and earned his MD at the State University of New York at Stonybrook in 1997. He did his internship and residency in general surgery at NYP/Columbia, and completed a research fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in 2001. He completed a fellowship in ASTS Multi-organ transplant at NYP/Columbia in 2006. He was Assistant Professor of Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center from 2006 to 2015. He served as Program Director of the transplant surgery fellowship at Columbia University from 2007 to 2015. He is a reviewer for American Journal of Transplantation, Transplantation, Liver Transplantation, Pediatric Transplantation, Clinical Transplantation among other journals. List of Publications by Dr. Samstein PubMed

Dr. Sandip Kapur is Chief of Transplant Surgery and Director of the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Programs at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. An internationally recognized expert in pioneering transplant techniques, Dr. Kapur specializes in adult and pediatric kidney transplantation and whole organ pancreas and islet cell transplantation. Dr. Kapur was named as one of "America's Top Doctors" by both US News World Report and Castle Connolly in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He was cited every year since 2010 as a "New York SuperDoctor," an honor accorded just 5% of all New York physicians.

I relate well to children of all ages in a non-threatening way. I will explain your child's condition in terms you can understand, and I will make sure that you understand all of the treatment options, including non-surgical options. I will answer all of your questions, and will make myself available to you, if you should have more questions after you leave. You will leave my office feeling educated and empowered. I will offer your child the latest in minimally invasive techniques, with minimal pain and scarring, and faster recovery. I love my patients and treat them as if they were my own, and I take pride in my craft.

Click here to view New York Times article on Dr. Michelassi's strictureplasty for crohns disease.

Dr. Hiroo Takayamais Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He has more than 20 years of experience in treating patients with heart and vascular problems. As the Director of the Aortic Surgery Program and co-Director of the Aortic Center, the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center, and the Marfan Clinic at NYP/Columbia, Dr. Takayama has contributed to the care of over 4,000 patients by performing a variety of aortic and cardiac surgical procedures, approximately 300-350 operations every year. Dr. Takayama is internationally recognized for his work on complex aortic surgery (minimally invasive aortic surgery, valve-sparing aortic root replacement, aortic valve repair, aortic arch and thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair), hybrid aortic surgery (thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair), myectomy for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and heart failure surgery. He is a leader in outcome research in aortic diseases and heart failure. He has published more than 300-350 manuscripts in prestigious, peer-reviewed journals and has authored numerous book chapters about heart disease. Dr. Takayama attended University of Tokyo for Medical School, did his internship at University of Tokyo, general surgery residency in University of Washington Medical Center, and cardio-thoracic surgery fellowship in New-York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center.

As a board-certified surgeon with clinical expertise in vascular and endovascular surgery, it is my mission to provide compassionate patient care and offer state-of-the-art treatment options for the full spectrum of vascular disease. My experience with both complex open operations as well as advanced endovascular procedures allows me to develop individualized surgical plans that best meet the needs of each patient. Using cutting edge technology, I offer minimally invasive surgical approaches aimed at reducing post-operative pain, scarring, and length of hospitalization. I strive to create lifelong relationships with each of my patients to ensure continued success in achieving excellent medical outcomes and to maximize quality of life.

Urologic oncology is a multidisciplinary field that incorporates innovative surgical technology, systemic treatments such as chemotherapy as well as a focused research effort. As a Professor of Urology and the Clinical Director of Urologic Oncology I continually interact with colleagues in areas of medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology among others in order to provide the most comprehensive and innovative care for our patients with prostate, bladder, kidney and testicular cancer. Advances in robotic technology along with scientific progress in our precision medicine program have allowed us to direct therapy in unprecedented ways. As a leader in this area I look forward to continued advances in this exciting and challenging field.

Joseph J. Del Pizzo, M.D. is the E. Darracott Vaughan Jr., Professor of Urology and the Director of the Advanced Minimally Invasive Kidney Donor Program for the Department of Urology at Weill Cornell Medicine. He joined the surgical staff at The New York Presbyterian Hospital in 2000 after serving as a clinical fellow in Laparoscopy and Minimally Invasive Urology. Prior to his fellowship, he completed his urology residency at the University of Maryland, one of the largest centers for urologic laparoscopy in the country, where he helped to establish some of the anatomical landmarks for performing laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy.At the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Del Pizzo has established one of the most active and effective centers for laparoscopic and robotic surgery in urology. He has vast experience in the laparoscopic and robotic treatment of kidney and adrenal tumors, kidney sparing surgery, and living kidney donation, having done over 2,000 cases including minimally invasive partial nephrectomy, radical nephrectomy, donor nephrectomy, nephroureterectomy, cryotherapy and adrenalectomy. He directs the laparoscopic donor nephrectomy program in conjunction with the Rogosin Institute of Transplantation, and performs approximately 150 of these procedures a year.Dr. Del Pizzo is an internationally recognized expert, speaker and author in the laparoscopic and robotic treatment of kidney tumors, as well as in minimally invasive living kidney donation. He currently serves on the faculty of the AUA Laparoscopy Course, where he instructs other urologists in learning laparoscopic surgery. In addition, he travels extensively around the world teaching other surgeons the techniques of laparoscopic and robotic kidney surgery.Dr. Del Pizzo's clinical expertise also includes the minimally invasive treatment of kidney stone disease. He has experience using both laser therapy and sound wave therapy to remove kidney stones without the need for surgical incisions.He is the recipient of numerous awards, including an Outstanding Achievement Award from The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. He is consistently named as one of The Best Doctors in America as well as a Top Doctor in the New York Metro Area. He works closely with surgical instrument companies and is actively involved in the development of new therapies for minimally invasive urologic surgery. He has authored many book chapters and published numerous manuscripts on topics related to his field of expertiseDr. Del Pizzo is currently licensed to practice medicine in the states of New York and Maryland._____________________________________________________________Testimonials"Dr.DelPizzois very professional and extremely easy to talk to. He even called me back to explain my lab results. I am very lucky to have him as my Urologist. I have recommended him to my friends and family." - Joe G. via Healthgrades on May 1,2020"I cannot say enough wonderful things about Dr. Del Pizzo and his entire staff. He is a warm, compassionate and charismatic individual and an amazing doctor. He explained everything in detail, answered all of my questions and completely put me at ease. He was quick to communicate my test results and ultimately resolved a chronic issue I have been dealing with for years. My experience with Dr. Del Pizzo was fortuitous to say the least and I am beyond grateful for his time, care and expertise." - JGallucci on October 3, 2017 via Healthgrades"After being diagnosed with kidney cancer , I reached out to his office and he offered to see me the same day. He was very courteous and knowledgeable, and eased my anxiety by handling the situation with the utmost professionalism. He performed the robotic surgery , cured my cancer and saved my kidney."- Anonmyous on September 22, 2017 via Vitals"Great doctor. He was my kidney donor's ( my son) surgeon. I also saw him to remove my stent. Wonderful, knowledgeable and caring doctor." - Anonymous on August 21, 2017 via RateMDs_____________________________________________________________

Dr. Sandip Kapur is Chief of Transplant Surgery and Director of the Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Programs at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. An internationally recognized expert in pioneering transplant techniques, Dr. Kapur specializes in adult and pediatric kidney transplantation and whole organ pancreas and islet cell transplantation. Dr. Kapur was named as one of "America's Top Doctors" by both US News World Report and Castle Connolly in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He was cited every year since 2010 as a "New York SuperDoctor," an honor accorded just 5% of all New York physicians.

Dr. Ketan Badani, MD is an Urology Specialist who practices in New York, NY. He is 50 years old and has been practicing for 24 years. Dr. Ketan Badani, MD is affiliated with Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Queens and Mount Sinai Morningside.

I understand the emotional burden that diagnosis of cancer can have on the patient and family members. I always would treat my patients as I would treatment my own family and friends. I understand quality of life is superbly important and would personalize treatment for each patient through extensive discussions and effective communication.

Soo Youn Yi, M.D. is a kidney and pancreas surgeon. She has a particular interest in the ethics of transplant and is on the ASTS ethics committee.

Dr. Vikram Wadhera, MB BS is a General Surgery Specialist who practices in Hewlett, NY. He is 51 years old and has been practicing for 25 years. Dr. Vikram Wadhera, MB BS is affiliated with Mount Sinai Hospital.

Juan Pablo Rocca, MD MHA is the Surgical Director for the Weill Cornell Liver Cancer Program, attending surgeon in the Division of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgery at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine and Assistant Professor (Interim) of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University.Dr. Rocca has been practicing abdominal organ transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery in New York City since 2009, having prior appointments at the Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute in the Mount Sinai Health System and at the Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation in the Montefiore Health System. Devoted to surgical innovation, Dr. Rocca spearheaded the application of minimally invasive liver surgery at Montefiore Medical Center, employing both laparoscopic and robotic techniques for performing challenging oncologic operations in the liver affected by fibrosis and cirrhosis. Dr. Rocca has been also principal investigator in two multicenter research trials for the implementation of different novel machine perfusion devices for organ preservation in liver transplantation.Other remarkable past leadership positions in transplantation have been Surgical Director of the Living Donor Kidney program and Associate Director of the Transplant Surgery Fellowship program at Mount Sinai, Director of the Living Donor program and Surgical Director of the Kidney/Pancreas Transplantation program at Montefiore, Chair of the Membership and Workforce Committee of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS), leading the latest Transplant Surgeons National Workforce Survey and Chair in the Clinical Policy Committee at the New York Center for Liver Transplantation (NYCLT). Dr. Rocca was awarded in 2018 by El Diario New York for his role and outreach within the Hispanic Community in the metropolitan area.Dr. Rocca earned his MD degree in 1999 at Universidad de Buenos Aires, completing a Residency in General Surgery in 2005 at Hospital Britanico de Buenos Aires, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. He continued his surgical training in the U.S. with a Transplant Surgery Fellowship at Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, followed by a second Transplant Surgery Fellowship at the Northwestern University Comprehensive Transplant Center in Chicago, completing his surgical training in 2009. Dr. Rocca also completed in 2019 an Executive Master in Health Administration (MHA) at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University.

Dr. Michael Palese, MD is a General Surgery Specialist who practices in New York, NY. He is 54 years old and has been practicing for 28 years. Dr. Michael Palese, MD is affiliated with Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Brooklyn and Mount Sinai Morningside.