Qun Dai, MD

Marcel Odaimi, MD, is a medical oncologist and hematologist at Staten Island University Hospital, where he treats all types of cancer using tailored combinations of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy. His focus is managing gastrointestinal cancers, including esophageal, stomach and pancreatic malignancies, in addition to brain and spinal cord tumors. In addition, he treats benign hematologic conditions such as anemia and blood clotting disorders, and has an interest in blood cancers, including lymphoma and multiple myeloma. With more than 30 years of experience in the field, he values providing his patients with compassionate, personalized care grounded in the latest evidence-based medicine. “I take the time to talk with patients about their diagnosis and treatment options, including the latest innovations in medical oncology,” he says. “I also listen to their feedback and concerns and create a comforting environment for their care.” Dr. Odaimi earned his medical degree from the American University of Beirut and received his internal medicine residency training at Staten Island University Hospital. He went on to complete his fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the top cancer institutes in the United States. At Northwell Health, Dr. Odaimi provides a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. He works with pathologists, radiologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists and supportive care specialists to create treatment plans for his patients. “We work closely together, and all of our services for patients are under one roof,” he says. Dr. Odaimi is an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. His professional memberships include the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Medical Association, and the Richmond County Medical Society. He has been a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, New York Metro Area (digital guide) for the last seven years. One of the best parts of Dr. Odaimi’s job is being able to problem-solve for the benefit of his patients. “Every patient is unique, so every treatment plan and each workday is different,” he says. He also views his job as a vocation. “I feel privileged that I get to develop a close bond with patients that you don’t often see in other professions.”

Alexander Bershadskiy, MD, specializes in hematology, medical oncology, and internal medicine, and is based at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH). He is also an assistant professor of Medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and a board-certified Medical Director for SIUH Hospice.“I went into medicine to help people," he says. "I've always loved knowledge, and the idea of using that to get answers in a way that made people's lives better is compelling. The more I learned, the more questions I had, so I knew the best way forward was to study medicine.” After earning his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine, Dr. Bershadskiy completed his residency at Lenox Hill Hospital, followed by a fellowship at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. He joined Northwell Health in 2015. Dr. Bershadskiy chose oncology because it's a rapidly evolving field, and seems to have the most advances and research, with quickly changing treatment options. In his fellowship, he dove deeper into the nuances of hematology, which he also found fascinating. He brings that intellectual vigor and curiosity into patient care as well. " Cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. I always strive to give patients the full scope of their condition, with a detailed explanation of treatment, so they can feel comfortable making the right decision for themselves," he says. “Patients have taught me to be compassionate, empathetic, and humane." Patients benefit from the collaborative nature of Northwell, Dr. Bershadskiy adds. From tapping into the extensive resources at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute to consulting with a breadth of specialists throughout Northwell, he feels that the teamwork approach results in more patient-centric care. Dr. Bershadskiy has been involved in research, particularly clinical trials focused on stage 2 and stage 4 colon cancer, and he looks forward to opening more trials to advance the field and increase the chance of finding a cure for cancer. "My main goal is to continue improving patient care in whatever way I can," he says.