Northwell Health Physician Partners Colon and Rectal Surgery at Lexington Avenue

Jennifer Agnew, MD, is a colorectal surgeon at Northwell, where she applies her highly specialized surgical skills to treat colon, rectal and anal cancers. She also manages complex conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and diverticulitis. Minimally invasive surgery, including laparoscopic, robotic and transanal approaches, is one of her clinical interests.Dr. Agnew has wanted to practice medicine for as long as she can remember. "Throughout my childhood and during school, I was always working toward being a doctor," she says. "It's been very rewarding to see my goals come to fruition."After obtaining her medical degree at New York Medical College, Dr. Agnew did residency training in general surgery at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Petrie Division. In 2016, she completed a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at North Shore University Hospital and joined Northwell in 2018.An accomplished surgeon, Dr. Agnew never forgets her patient's needs, focusing on providing comprehensive and compassionate care. "I make sure we're addressing their concerns about colon and rectal conditions," she says. "I want patients to feel heard and to know they're not alone in their care."In her clinical practice, Dr. Agnew values a team-based approach to care. She meets with a weekly tumor board consisting of fellow surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists to discuss tailored treatment plans for each patient. She also collaborates with nurses, who provide preoperative education about what to expect from surgery and the recovery process, and with providers who offer outpatient stoma support services.Dr. Agnew is a member of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the Society of Surgical Oncology, and regularly presents at their meetings on surgical outcomes. She is also an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and is board-certified in both general surgery and colon and rectal surgery.When asked what she enjoys most about her work, Dr. Agnew will tell you it's interacting with patients. "I value getting to know them and supporting them through their care."

Joseph Martz, MD, is chief of colorectal surgery and vice chairman of surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital, and chief of colorectal surgery for Northwell facilities in New York City boroughs and Westchester County. He has been practicing for more than 20 years and performs some of the highest volume of colorectal minimally invasive surgery, including sophisticated robotic procedures, in the tri-state area. A born and bred New Yorker, Dr. Martz spent his early days volunteering in an operating room, which helped him realize how much he wanted to become a surgeon. "It was exciting for me to see the remarkable change you can make in a patient's life with your hands," he says. He completed his residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel and has worked in major hospital systems all across Manhattan. He's especially proud to be part of Northwell Health, which he joined in 2018. "Northwell is a special place where everyone makes a difference," says Dr. Martz. "It takes a team to provide the level of care that we want for our patients. We're really dedicated to making this a place where people feel at home." This world-class team at Lenox Hill also includes nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, specialists and nurse managers to help with every aspect of care.The exceptional skill and experience Dr. Martz offers is for the full range of colorectal conditions-including diverticulitis, colon cancer and complex pelvic issues. In fact, the complexity of the cases he treats is what drives his passion for medicine. "After years of training, I'm happy to be able to provide the skill to treat these difficult problems," he says. "Seeing the patients' outcomes-seeing them do well-becomes more meaningful for me every time."The positive patient outcomes achieved through minimally invasive surgery, which include less pain and shorter hospital stays, keep Dr. Martz focused on the future of colorectal care. He's dedicated to educating new physicians on minimally invasive and robotic procedures, getting involved in promising medical device studies, and looking to technology to continually improve treatments."Getting patients healthy is what's truly important to me," says Dr. Martz. "I treat every patient as if they are part of my family. I am completely committed to their care."