BiliaryTractCancer near Elizabeth, NJ

Biography: Jennifer Ann Wagmiller, MD, MS, board-certified medical oncologist, joined The Cancer Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in 2007. She received her medical degree from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey before completing her residency in Internal Medicine at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. Dr. Wagmiller completed a fellowship at the University of Rochester in Hematology/Oncology. Interested in clinical research, Dr. Wagmiller has been the author of numerous articles which have appeared in the American Journal of Hemotology/Oncology and the Journal of Oncology Practice. She enjoys teaching students and frequently lectures on cancer research for patients and lay audiences. She also has advanced training in health services research and cancer genetics. Dr. Wagmiller is a member of the American Society for Clinical Oncology.

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: I am a medical oncologist with interests in lung cancers, head and neck cancers, and pancreatic cancers. Its important to me that patients feel they are not alone in their fight against cancer. I have a strong interest in clinical trial and providing patients with the most advanced available care. My goal is to help patients be in control with their health and understand their treatment options.

Biography: Dr. Sarada Gurubhagavatula, MD is an Oncology Specialist who practices in Livingston, NJ. She is 53 years old. Dr. Sarada Gurubhagavatula, MD is affiliated with Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.

Care Philosophy: Qun Dai, MD, PhD is a medical oncologist and hematologist at Staten Island University Hospital. She specializes in treating breast cancer and provides personalized care to ensure the best outcomes. She uses clinical assessment, biomarker features and genomic prediction to determine the appropriate treatment for her patients. She also uses molecular assays, such as next generation sequencing and immune markers, to identify additional treatment options. She emphasizes both treatment outcomes and patient quality of life. At Northwell Health, Dr. Dai works with a multidisciplinary team of doctors regularly and collaborates with breast surgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and genetic counselors to create individualized treatment plans. Dr. Dai is also devoted to breast cancer prevention. She sees patients at high risk for breast cancer due to family history, atypical hyperplasia, and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). She provides recommendations for risk reduction measures. While she focuses on breast cancer, Dr. Dai also provides care for the patients with gynecologic malignancies such as ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, and other types of solid tumors, as well as malignant and benign hematologic disorders. She is actively involved in clinical cancer research and participates in both institutional and nationwide clinical trials. She has published in peer-reviewed medical journals and is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology. Dr. Dai earned her medical degree from Nanjing Medical College in China and completed her residency in internal medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine/Bronx VA Medical Center. She received fellowship training in hematology and oncology at the Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She also earned a PhD in molecular biology at the New York University School of Medicine. She is now an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Dr. Dai finds helping her patients the most rewarding. I work to establish a good connection with my patients and their families so I can support them as they are going through their treatment process, she says.

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