Agnes Radzio, MD

Basem Nady Azab, MD, is the director of surgical oncology at Staten Island University Hospital’s Florina Cancer Center at Northwell, one of the largest cancer programs in the New York metropolitan area. He’s 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. “That’s 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 techniques—like vascular reconstruction with Whipple surgery—to 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. “They’re 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 50 publications, he has spoken at several international and national oncology meetings, and he’s 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 he’s 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.

Chika Ngozi Madu, MD, joined Northwell Health in 2015 as an attending physician in radiation medicine, and in January 2022 was named chair of radiation oncology for Staten Island University Hospital. In this role, she oversees all radiation oncology clinical care, research, and training programs. “We see an underserved population here on Staten Island, and our pledge is make sure every single patient, no matter their circumstance, gets the best care available,” she says. “We provide multidisciplinary care that puts the patient first.” After receiving her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School, Dr. Madu completed her residency in radiation oncology at the University of Pennsylvania. She is currently an assistant professor of radiation medicine at Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Throughout her career, Dr. Madu has focused on meaningful clinical care as well as patient safety, quality improvement, and diversity and inclusion. Nationally, she holds a leadership position on the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s CHEDI committee, where she serves as co-lead in an advocacy working group aimed at eliminating barriers to minority enrollment in clinical trials. “One of my passions is to expand opportunities for clinical trials among those who are underrepresented,” she says. “Northwell Health is a leader in this because we have a team that shares clinical trial enrollment across all our sites. That type of coordination is very important for making trials more accessible for patients.” Dr. Madu is opening two new trials—one on radiation for breast cancer, and the other on treatment for brain tumors—that are likely to advance patient options in the future. Dr. Madu is also excited about the progress of Northwell’s Florina Cancer Center at SIUH, which is expected to be completed by summer 2023. “It’s incredible to see everyone coming together in support of cancer care. This will bring all subspecialties under one roof, including a pediatric cancer unit and a state-of-the-art infusion center,” she says. “No one plans on a cancer diagnosis, and it can involve many tough days when we all cry together, but our patients bring an incredible amount of resolve and perseverance to their treatment. I’m proud that we're able to do our part to provide the best care available.”

Rahway Regional Cancer Center in Rahway, NJ, founded and directed by expert Dr. Eric Karp, gives radiation treatment to patients with various cancers.