MDNews - Mid Hudson

A STUDY IN SPECIALIZED ONCOLOGY Dr. Choi and Dr. Nitzkorski, along with the Health Quest Medical Practice multispecialty team, are revitalizing surgical care in the Hudson Valley to include advanced, minimally invasive operations that have typically been available only in teaching hospitals. computer calculations and measuring the output levels of the technology to ensure that both are appropriately tailored to the cancer and the patient. Plans are also put to peer review. Case in Point Dr. Choi recalls a patient whose treatment demonstrated the interconnected nature of not merely the physicians involved in cancer care at Health Quest, but also the services that can be combined to provide total care for the patient's comprehensive short-term and long-term health. The patient presented with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, a rare type that occurs in about 5% percent of adults who develop colon cancer. Pathology and hematology specialists collaborated to properly identify the correct diagnosis. The patient received genetics counseling about the type of cancer, the options for care and what the diagnosis could mean for future necessary care, specifically the likelihood of a recurrence or spread within the second year of recovery. The patient underwent a laparoscopic total proctocolectomy. The recovery progressed as expected, and when the team detected cancer in the second year, both the patient and physicians were prepared. Due to the high risk of the cancer spreading to the uterus and ovaries, the surgeons broached removing the organs. As the patient was past her childbearing years, the uterus and ovaries were removed. According to Dr. Choi, the patient recovered without complications and now is cancer free and doing well. "That's a great example of the multidisciplinary approach we use. Not only do we have the experience to perform the procedures, but also I think we can identify different elements of necessary care because we have a cancer mindset," says Dr. Choi. "When patients come to see us, they can be assured that, even if they come for a benign disease, we would be doing the appropriate, most up-to-date technique and research and that we ourselves are evolving, as surgeons should. Patients can have confidence that we are able to handle both benign and malignant diseases and do it in a fashion that is well suited for them with less pain and fewer complications in comparison to open surgery." To find the best cancer care for your patient, visit www.health-quest.org/cancer. ■ IN DEVELOPING ITS comprehensive cancer services, Health Quest has endeavored to build teams of highly trained specialists and subspecialists, thus matching the investment in advanced technology with an invest- ment in the hands guiding patient care. This focus has allowed Health Quest to provide the Hudson Valley with physicians adept in clinical services ranging from minimally invasive surgical techniques to stereotactic radiosurgery, including: + John Choi, M.D.: After earning his medical degree at American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Dr. Choi began his postgraduate training with a general surgery residency at Stamford Hospital, during which he focused on colon and rectal surgery. He also completed a fellowship in minimally invasive colorectal surgery at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center, fol- lowed by a year of clinical research at the Center for Colorectal Research at the University of Southern California. The subspecialty programs afforded Dr. Choi the opportunity to train in new surgical techniques and trial surgical devices, and pain management protocols. + Edward Farhangi, M.D.: The Director of Radiation Oncology for Health Quest, Dr. Farhangi earned his medical degree at Rush Medical College of Rush University. His postgraduate work began with a radiation oncology residency at the University of Chicago Hospital — where he served as chief resi- dent — and included additional training in internal medicine at Albany Medical Center. Dr. Farhangi gained further experience at multiple medical facili- ties such as the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and even a hospital in London, where he was able to learn the inner workings of another health care delivery model. + James R. Nitzkorski, M.D.: A board-certified surgeon, Dr. Nitzkorski earned his medical degree from the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He then completed a residency in general surgery at St. Luke's – Roosevelt Hospital, where he served as chief resident. Dr. Nitzkorski continued his specialty training with a fellowship in surgical oncology at the Fox Chase Cancer Center. This period of study afforded him the opportunity to refine his surgical techniques, as well as enhance his understanding of medical and radiation oncology treatments. He also focused the research element of his fellowship on gastrointestinal and rectal cancers. MDNEWS.COM ■ MD NEWS Mid Hudson | 19 SPECIAL CLINICAL SECTION: ONCOLOGY

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