Mitchell Robert Price, MD

Michael Blasco, MD, is director of head and neck oncology and reconstruction at Staten Island University Hospital. He sees patients with throat cancer, mouth cancer, thyroid tumors and skin lesions that affect the head and neck. He specializes in minimally invasive surgery, including transoral robotic-assisted procedures to remove mouth and throat cancers. He also performs reconstructive surgery to help restore form and function in patients who undergo surgical removal of head and neck tumors. His research interests include the surgical treatment of oral cavity cancer and finding new ways of detecting lymph node metastases.His overall approach to patient care is a shared decision-making model. "I try to present patients and their families with all of the information that I think they would need to make informed decisions about their health care," he says. Dr. Blasco attended medical school at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He then completed a residency in otolaryngology at Wayne State University and a fellowship in head and neck surgical oncology, with a focus on reconstruction, at the University of Toronto. At Northwell Health, he collaborates extensively with imaging specialists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, speech and language pathologists and other surgeons to create comprehensive care plans for patients. For people who require reconstructive surgery, he routinely works with oral surgeons, plastic surgeons and prosthodontists to restore the appearance of the head and neck and people's ability to speak and swallow. "Head and neck cancer care is highly multidisciplinary," he says.In addition to his surgical duties, Dr. Blasco is an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He is also a member of the American Head and Neck Society and the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and has published numerous articles in prestigious, peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Blasco values the lifelong relationships he establishes with patients. "The partnerships you form when you're helping people navigate through one of the most difficult parts of their life is rewarding," he says. "And, there's nothing better than seeing people living a life of happiness and success and doing all the things they want to do with their cancer behind them."

David Hiltzik, MD, is interim chair of otolaryngology at Staten Island University Hospital. He treats conditions of the ear, nose and throat in adults and children. His surgical specialties include sinus disease and breathing disorders, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, and skull base surgery. He also manages disorders affecting hearing and balance, throat and voice, and sleep."I was influenced by my grandparents to work in science," says Dr. Hiltzik. "My grandfather was a physical chemist who worked on The Manhattan Project and my grandmother was a science teacher. I knew I wanted to give to the community around me, so I went into medicine." Dr. Hiltzik earned his medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine and embraces the approach of caring for patients through surgery. He was a resident in otolaryngology/head and neck surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and completed two fellowships at Roosevelt Hospital (now Mount Sinai West), one in skull base surgery and the other in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. As part of a team-based approach to care, Dr. Hiltzik collaborates with specialists in neurosurgery, pulmonology, sleep medicine, endocrinology and audiology to ensure patients achieve the best possible outcomes. During his time at Staten Island University Hospital, he has helped to expand several subspecialty programs, including skull base surgery; head and neck oncology; and services in speech and swallowing, hearing and balance, and sleep medicine. In addition to treating patients, Dr. Hiltzik is an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the American Head and Neck Society, as well as a fellow of the American College of Surgery. He is double board-certified in otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery. For Dr. Hiltzik, the best part of his job is connecting with patients and their families. "It's important to me to get to know the person as a whole and not just treat the disease," he says. "I value a good bedside manner and want to make patients feel comfortable throughout the treatment process."

Ryan Tabtabai MD, MPH, is director of pediatric otolaryngology at Staten Island University Hospital. He sees patients with noisy breathing, congenital malformations, pediatric hearing loss and sleep disordered breathing. He specializes in endoscopic airway surgery, and hearing preservation surgery including cochlear implant and bone anchored hearing aids. He also performs surgery to remove congenital malformations like thyroglossal duct cysts and pre-auricular pits. His overall approach to patient care involves compassion, education, and shared decision-making. "I treat your kid like I would treat my kid," he says.Dr. Tabtabai attended medical school at The University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He then completed a residency in otolaryngology at SUNY Downstate University and a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology at The University of Connecticut at Connecticut Children's Medical Center.At Northwell Health, he collaborates extensively with pediatricians, pediatric anesthesiologists, pediatric gastroenterologists, and pediatric pulmonologists. He is passionate about providing comprehensive pediatric otolaryngology care within one institution. Dr. Tabtabai values the connections he makes with his patients and their families. "I get to come to work and make kids better. I can't think of a better job than that," he says.