Jackson Heights Medical Oncology

Javier Roca, MD, specializes in hematology and oncology. Based in Queens, NY, Dr. Roca also sees patients at the Northwell Cancer Institute in Long Island. Dr. Roca is an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Dr. Roca was drawn to medicine because his father was a physician. He enjoys the challenge of hematology and oncology. Its a tough field, he says. Board certified in hematology, Dr. Roca received his medical degree from the University of Panama. He completed his residency at St. Johns Episcopal Hospital in Queens and fellowships at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center Moses Division. The group of hematologists and oncologists Dr. Roca works with is culturally diverse, reflecting the diversity of the Queens community they serve. All the physicians I work with have different backgrounds, including native speakers of Chinese, Hindi, Russian, and Korean, he says. As a Latin physician, Dr. Roca can speak to patients in Spanish and be in tune with cultural nuances. Its very satisfying that Im able to connect with my patients culturally, Dr. Roca says. I can relate to them, or they can relate to me, in both language and customs. Dr. Rocas support team includes physician assistants, medical assistants, and nurses. Our support team has always been magnificent, he says. Dr. Roca is excited about advances being made at the molecular level to better understand why certain cancers occur. Thats what excites me about this field, he says. Now things are changing spectacularly. The more that we learn, the more we can apply this knowledge, so we can get better treatments for our patients.

Sandeep Anantha, MD, FACS, FICS, FSSO, feels called to his profession as a surgical oncologistnot only for his technical skill, but for his passion in fostering long-lasting, life-changing relationships with his patients. His clinical focus is on gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeries. He leverages robotic and minimally invasive surgery technologies as well and consults on patients with all types of cancers.With his valued expertise and insight, Dr. Anantha represents the surgical side of a patients cancer care, but he is closely knit with other areas of carepathology, radiology and more. This is why when patients meet Dr. Anantha, they dont feel like theyve met just one doctor. They feel like theyve met the whole team.It was in medical school at Yenepoya Medical College in India when Dr. Anantha experienced the patients' perspective personally. He felt firsthand what it is to be a patient, which gave him a different perspective about his patients' needs and has made him even more motivated to provide exceptional care.Dr. Anantha completed his residency at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, then went on to pursue his fellowship training in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeries at Providence Hospital and Medical Center- Michigan State University.Dr. Anantha now has his clinical practice at Monter Cancer Center affiliated with Northwell Health- Long Island Jewish Medical Center and extends his practice to LIJ- Forest Hills Hospital, where he serves as chairman for the Multidisciplinary Tumor Board Conferences, assessing tumors and growths with other cancer care professionals with a multidisciplinary approach, striving for better patient outcomes. To further his interests in clinical research, Dr. Anantha serves as a Principal Investigator in gall bladder cancer trials, paving the way for a better future for patients with this condition.Every member of Dr. Ananthas practice, including medical assistants, nurse practitioners and administrative staff, works toward the same vision: making sure patients leave feeling more confident and being cared for than when they walked in. Dr. Anantha leaves no question unanswered, and molds his approach to every patient, ensuring each receives the most personalized care possible.