James Dennis Sullivan, MD

Matthew J. Weiss, MD, FACS, is deputy physician-in-chief and director of the surgical oncology program at Northwell Cancer Institute. He's a board-certified surgeon specializing in pancreas and liver diseases.With a relentless work ethic and strong desire to help people, Dr. Weiss always knew he wanted to be a doctor. "I picked a field that allows me to tackle difficult problems and truly make an impact," he says.Dr. Weiss completed his residency in general surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital and was dual fellowship trained in surgical oncology and hepatobiliary surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He was previously chief of hepatobiliary surgery at Johns Hopkins, where he was also director of the Pancreas and Liver Multidisciplinary Clinics and the complex general surgical oncology fellowship. He also performed the first robotic Whipple at Johns Hopkins University. Joining Northwell in 2019, Dr. Weiss created a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, geneticists, and other specialists who collaborate to create unique treatment plans for patients across the health system. "Every cancer is different, and every patient is different," he says. "Communication among multiple providers is the best way to ensure you're treating the entire person, properly," he says. Dr. Weiss's team also works with scientists from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research to develop and run groundbreaking clinical trials. An international leader in both liver and pancreas surgery, Dr. Weiss has authored over 250 peer-reviewed publications in the field, and he's currently a professor of surgery and oncology at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. "Understanding both the science of the disease and the technological aspect of surgery is so important," he says. Dr. Weiss focuses on using cancer genetics to help find the right surgical approach for patients. When possible, he operates robotically using small incisions for faster healing, so patients don't have to wait as long to receive additional therapies that can improve outcomes. With recent advancements in the field, Dr. Weiss has been able to successfully perform high-risk surgeries that were turned down by other institutions. "Being a surgeon is a tremendous responsibility, and I don't take it lightly," he says. "I truly and deeply care about my patients and their families-I get to know them as people and am there throughout their entire journey. That's what I'm most proud of as a doctor."

Dominic Andrew Filardi, MD, is an attending breast cancer surgeon at Northwell Health. With more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Filardi provides highly specialized surgical care at Monter Cancer Center, where he treats both newly diagnosed patients and those following up on their treatments.As part of the multidisciplinary team at Monter Cancer Center, Dr. Filardi uses the most up-to-date techniques and technologies available to diagnose and treat breast cancer while minimizing discomfort and shortening recovery time, such as the innovative Magseed marker-a small, minimally invasive marker designed to pinpoint cancer lesions for removal. He works alongside medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, breast imaging technicians, plastic surgeons and geneticists to provide a holistic treatment plan from diagnosis to reconstruction. Dr. Filardi knew he wanted to be a surgeon since childhood; his father and grandfather, both doctors, were his inspirations. He completed his residency in the Department of Surgery at North Shore University Hospital. As an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell since 2009, Dr. Filardi is passionate about passing his knowledge on to the breast surgeons of the future. Outside the medical school, Dr. Filardi also educates the public about treatment options and innovations at community events. He is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS) and the American Cancer Society, and is published in the Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science and the International Journals of Surgical Pathology. For Dr. Filardi, the best part of his career has been providing patients with the patience, guidance and understanding they need during a fearful and confusing time. "The most rewarding part is easing a breast cancer patient's plight," he says. "We know that patients are often scared when they come through our doors, so my team and I do our best to support them through their cancer journey. We want to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible."