Biliary Tract Cancer near Elizabeth, NJ

Biography: Stuart Leitner, MD, is a board-certified medical oncologist and Section Chief of Medical Oncology for the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center's Department of Medicine. He received his medical degree from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York. Dr. Leitner completed his residency at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, TX and a medical oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York. Dr. Leitner is very interested in clinical research. He has published numerous abstracts and journal articles and has presented research on breast cancer at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the New York Metropolitan Breast Cancer Group, and has chaired sessions at the Annual Retreat on Cancer Research in New Jersey. He has been a reviewer for articles on breast and genitourinary cancer for Cancer, the official journal of the American Cancer Society. Dr. Leitner is a member of the New York Metropolitan Breast Cancer Group, American Society of Breast Disease and the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Prostate Research Advisory Group. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including being recognized in Best Doctors in America; included in the Consumers' Research Council of America's Guide to America's Top Physicians; named as a Top Doc in NJ Monthly and Inside Jersey magazines; recipient of Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Excellence in Caring; and an American Cancer Society Diamond Ball Honoree. In 2011, Dr. Leitner received the Arnold Gold Foundation Award for ``skill, sensitivity, caring and compassion in the practice of medicine``.

Care Philosophy: Accepted Health Plan information is only as accurate as the most current information submitted. Prior to your appointment, it is advisable to verify with a physician office that they are still a participating provider.

Care Philosophy: Dr. Brown prides himself in being able to educate and provide emotional support to his patients and their families. He believes educating patients is a crucial part of their treatment plan and will allow the patient to become an active participant in their care. Accepted Health Plan information is only as accurate as the most current information submitted. Prior to your appointment, it is advisable to verify with a physician office that they are still a participating provider.

Care Philosophy: Dr. Abo is committed to his patients and providing the highest quality of comprehensive compassionate care. He strongly believes in a partnership with his patients, working together to ensure they understand their clinical situation, treatment plan and what their expectations are in managing their care. Working collaboratively with other medical specialists and staying informed on the latest research, proven treatments, and clinical trials ensures my patients have the best chance of obtaining optimal outcomes.

Biography: Dr. John Conti, MD is an Oncology Specialist who practices in Belleville, NJ. He is 65 years old and has been practicing for 39 years. Dr. John Conti, MD is affiliated with Clara Maass Medical Center.

Care Philosophy: Meekoo Dhar, MD, is a Hematologist/Medical oncologist who practices at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) and SIUH Princes Bay. She specializes in managing breast cancer and gynecologic malignancies, such as ovarian, cervical and uterine cancers. She also treats blood related diseases and benign hematologic conditions such as anemia and clotting disorders. Im very thorough in my evaluation of my patients and take my time with them, she says. I believe in taking care of the whole person and not just the disease. Her treatment approach is grounded in the latest evidence-based medicine and clinical research. She is actively involved in studying the safety and efficacy of medical therapies for breast and ovarian cancers. Dr. Dhar has been passionate about helping others since she was a child. I can't think of a better way to express that passion than taking care of cancer patients, she says. She attended medical school at the University of Kashmir and completed her internal medicine residency and a Hematology-Oncology fellowship at New York Presbyterian, Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. At Northwell Health, Dr. Dhar works as a team with pathologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, breast surgeons, and gynecologic oncologists to create personalized treatment plans. Residents and fellows, nurse practitioners and medical assistants are also an important part of the care team. We have a nice camaraderie, she says. We dont hesitate to reach out to each other and make it a point to discuss each patients care. Dr. Dhar is an Assistant Professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and Program Director of the Hematology and Medical Oncology fellowship program at Staten Island University Hospital. She feels it is her duty to educate the next generation of Hematologists and Oncologists. She is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, and the American Medical Association. She also provides pro bono cancer consultation services to physicians and their patients through the India Association of the Garden State and the Kashmiri Overseas Association. Dr. Dhar finds the long-lasting relationships she develops with patients and their families a fulfilling part of her work. Its very rewarding to make a difference in other peoples lives.

Care Philosophy: Dr. Litvak believes in a shared decision-making approach and takes pride in educating and empowering her patients to jointly make decisions regarding management plans. Her goal is to optimize chance of cure and prolong survival while respecting and honoring one's individual needs and wishes.

Care Philosophy: For detailed information about Dr. Sekhri and Advanced Care Oncology and Hematology Associates (ACOHA) please visit www.njacoha. com. The practice was founded with a mission of providing the highest level of quality cancer and hematology care in a personalized, integrative approach. We care for adults with a wide range of blood disorders and cancers and treat patients by encompassing a 360 degree integrated approach in a private setting. Accepted Health Plan information is only as accurate as the most current information submitted. Prior to your appointment, it is advisable to verify with a physician office that they are still a participating provider.

Care Philosophy: Where Care and Compassion Matters

Biography: Dr. Louise Ligresti, MD is an Oncology Specialist who practices in Livingston, NJ. She is 60 years old and has been practicing for 34 years. Dr. Louise Ligresti, MD is affiliated with Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

Care Philosophy: If I won't do it to my mother, father, sister, or brother, I won't do it to yours

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.

Biography: Dr. Sirish Dharmapuri, MD is an Oncology Specialist who practices in Livingston, NJ. He is 36 years old. Dr. Sirish Dharmapuri, MD is affiliated with Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.

Care Philosophy: Dr. Scoppetuolo's philosophy of care is to take care of the entire patient and their family. He is sensitive to family, economic and social issues that all play an important role in cancer treatment. Dr. Scoppetuolo provides comprehensive state-of-the-art cancer care with the utmost compassion for his patients.