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Care Philosophy: Marcel Odaimi MD is a medical oncologist and hematologist at Staten Island University Hospital where he treats all types of cancer using tailored combinations of chemotherapy immunotherapy and targeted therapy His focus is managing gastrointestinal cancers including esophageal stomach and pancreatic malignancies in addition to brain and spinal cord tumors In addition he treats benign hematologic conditions such as anemia and blood clotting disorders and has an interest in blood cancers including lymphoma and multiple myeloma With more than 30 years of experience in the field he values providing his patients with compassionate personalized care grounded in the latest evidence based medicine I take the time to talk with patients about their diagnosis and treatment options including the latest innovations in medical oncology he says I also listen to their feedback and concerns and create a comforting environment for their care Dr Odaimi earned his medical degree from the American University of Beirut and received his internal medicine residency training at Staten Island University Hospital He went on to complete his fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center one of the top cancer institutes in the United States At Northwell Health Dr Odaimi provides a multidisciplinary approach to patient care He works with pathologists radiologists surgical oncologists radiation oncologists and supportive care specialists to create treatment plans for his patients We work closely together and all of our services for patients are under one roof he says Dr Odaimi is an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell His professional memberships include the American Society of Clinical Oncology the American Medical Association and the Richmond County Medical Society He has been a Castle Connolly Top Doctor New York Metro Area digital guide for the last seven years One of the best parts of Dr Odaimi s job is being able to problem solve for the benefit of his patients Every patient is unique so every treatment plan and each workday is different he says He also views his job as a vocation I feel privileged that I get to develop a close bond with patients that you don t often see in other professions

Care Philosophy: Basem Nady Azab, MD, is the director of surgical oncology at Staten Island University Hospitals Florina Cancer Center at Northwell, one of the largest cancer programs in the New York metropolitan area. Hes the first and only doctor in the country who is triple board-certified by the American Board of Surgery, American Board of Medicine and American Board of Surgical Oncology. My father was a firefighter, and I developed the same passion for helping others, Dr. Azab explains. Thats why I became a doctor and chose a career path where I could really make a difference. Prior to joining Northwell, Dr. Azab completed his internal medicine and surgical residency at Staten Island University Hospital, where he received the honorary Humanistic Award for exceptional patient care. He continued his training in a two-year surgical oncology fellowship at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Azab's areas of focus include complex procedures and minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery to treat a wide range of cancers. Under his leadership, the Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) Program was created at Staten Island University Hospital, the first of its kind in Richmond County. It offers state-of-the-art therapies for patients with advanced abdominal cancer, pairing the latest treatments and surgical techniqueslike vascular reconstruction with Whipple surgeryto deliver the best results. Compassion and accessibility are also important to Dr. Azab. Most of my patients have my personal cell phone number, he says. Theyre very much involved in the treatment discussion, and we work together to find the best path forward. As assistant professor at Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Dr. Azab trains the next generation of surgical oncologists. His work has been featured in nearly 5 publications, he has spoken at several international and national oncology meetings, and hes a member of numerous professional societies, including the American College of Surgeons. Outside of his professional duties, Dr. Azab is a master chess player. It's a game of strategy, much like the job of a surgeon, he explains. You must avoid decision fatigue and be on your toes, which is critical in the operating room. For Dr. Azab, the gift heis able to give patients is the most rewarding: It is gratifying to know that I play a part in helping my patients not only live, but also enjoy life moving forward, he says.

Care Philosophy: Alexander Bershadskiy, MD, specializes in hematology, medical oncology, and internal medicine, and is based at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH). He is also an assistant professor of Medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and a board-certified Medical Director for SIUH Hospice.I went into medicine to help people,`` he says. ``I've always loved knowledge, and the idea of using that to get answers in a way that made people's lives better is compelling. The more I learned, the more questions I had, so I knew the best way forward was to study medicine. After earning his medical degree from St. Georges University School of Medicine, Dr. Bershadskiy completed his residency at Lenox Hill Hospital, followed by a fellowship at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. He joined Northwell Health in 2015. Dr. Bershadskiy chose oncology because it's a rapidly evolving field, and seems to have the most advances and research, with quickly changing treatment options. In his fellowship, he dove deeper into the nuances of hematology, which he also found fascinating. He brings that intellectual vigor and curiosity into patient care as well. `` Cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. I always strive to give patients the full scope of their condition, with a detailed explanation of treatment, so they can feel comfortable making the right decision for themselves,`` he says. Patients have taught me to be compassionate, empathetic, and humane.`` Patients benefit from the collaborative nature of Northwell, Dr. Bershadskiy adds. From tapping into the extensive resources at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute to consulting with a breadth of specialists throughout Northwell, he feels that the teamwork approach results in more patient-centric care. Dr. Bershadskiy has been involved in research, particularly clinical trials focused on stage 2 and stage 4 colon cancer, and he looks forward to opening more trials to advance the field and increase the chance of finding a cure for cancer. ``My main goal is to continue improving patient care in whatever way I can,`` he says.