Clary Mary Brenda Evans, MD

Rajiv Sharma, MD, is a board-certified radiation oncologist at Northwell Health Cancer Institute Radiation Medicine at the Center for Advanced Medicine. He specializes in thoracic cancers, primarily lung cancer, and gastrointestinal cancers. He is the primary physician in radiation oncology for pediatric cancers. Additionally, Dr. Sharma administers radiation treatments for benign cardiac conditions, including brachytherapy for drug-eluting in-stent restenosis and stereotactic radiation for refractory ventricular tachycardia. “I always envisioned becoming a doctor,” Dr. Sharma says. In fact, his mother recalls him drawing pictures of himself as a doctor in preschool and kindergarten. While the technology was part of what drew him to radiation oncology, the time he gets to spend with patients was the real appeal. “I’ve never felt rushed in my ability to be able to talk about treatments, to counsel patients and guide them through what’s a very difficult process and time in their life,” he says. An assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Dr. Sharma is the program director for residents in radiation oncology. “It’s always exciting to train the next generation of physicians in radiation oncology,” he says. “I find it very fulfilling to teach and have an impact on other physicians’ careers, to guide and mentor them.” Dr. Sharma received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and did his residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he was chief resident in radiation oncology. He did a fellowship in proton therapy at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. A member of the American Society for Radiation Oncology, Dr. Sharma publishes and speaks about radiation oncology. Dr. Sharma’s patients appreciate the time he spends with them and how well he explains the radiation process, their treatment plan, and recommendations and compliment his thoroughness. “Patients are happy to see that’s a priority for me,” he says.

Michael Schulder, MD, is the vice chair of neurosurgery at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. He is also the director of the Brain Tumor Center at the Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery-which treats more than 600 patients annually-and co-director of the Center for Stereotactic Radiosurgery, where his team offers the latest treatment technologies. His research focuses on improving methods of image guidance for brain tumor surgery, and on new techniques for radiosurgery."I've always been fascinated by the workings of the brain and how it gives rise to our thoughts, memories and personalities in ways that aren't fully understood," Dr. Schulder says. He attended medical school at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and completed his residency in neurological surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Schulder also trained in stereotactic neuro-oncology at the University of Florida and the Brigham and Women's Hospital.Dr. Schulder works with neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists and other neurosurgeons to create evidence-based treatment plans. "We offer close multidisciplinary collaboration to help avoid delay in seeing patients," he says. The team strives to offer minimally invasive treatments as often as possible.With a keen interest in neurosurgical image guidance-the use of real-time images of the brain to make procedures safer and more precise-Dr. Schulder is studying the next generation of intraoperative MRI. He runs a brain tumor clinical trials program, giving his patients ready access to innovative approaches to care. While performing complex neurosurgery is one of the most satisfying parts of Dr. Schulder's job, "empathizing with patients and their families throughout treatment is equally fulfilling," he says.In addition to treating brain tumors, Dr. Schulder performs functional neurosurgery to manage pain conditions like trigeminal neuralgia, and movement disorders including essential tremor and Parkinson's disease. He is the program director of neurosurgical residency training at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Dr. Schulder is active in organized neurosurgery, where among other offices he is past president of the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, director-at-large of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and historian of the American Academy Neurological Surgery.

Beatrice Bloom, MD, is vice chair of the radiation medicine department at Northwell Health’s R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center. Board certified in radiation oncology, Dr. Bloom specializes in gynecological, breast and skin cancers. She is also an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Dr. Bloom’s path to treating cancer was partly inspired by her maternal grandmother (and namesake), who died of metastatic breast cancer, as well as her mother’s experience with melanoma. While in medical school, she completed a fellowship in radiation oncology at the Bristol Royal Infirmary in England. After receiving her medical degree from Albany Medical College, Dr. Bloom was a resident at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. “What drew me to radiation oncology was the patient-physician relationship,” Dr. Bloom says. She especially appreciates the time that she gets to spend with patients. “Patients tell me that I’m interested in them rather than their disease.” As a member of the multidisciplinary team and coleader of the Gynecology Disease Management Team, Dr. Bloom works closely with medical, surgical and gynecological oncologists. Together with each other and with our patients, we consider options for treatment that can range from supportive care to enrolling on a clinical trial to craft the best plan for our patients. Dr. Bloom credits her team within the radiation oncology department — including residents, nurses, radiation therapists, social workers, nutritionists and administrative staff — for helping patients navigate their treatment. “With the multidisciplinary approach to personalized medicine, there are a lot more things to coordinate,” she says. “I look at my patients as the whole person they are,” she says. “I rely not only on the science, which we are always expanding, but also on all the facets of their lives to help me make recommendations about what I think their treatment path should be and together to make the decision. And the treatment path isn’t just the radiation. It’s all of the journey.”