Leanne E Schmidt, PA-C

James T. McCormick, DO, FACS, FASCRS James T. McCormick, DO, FACS, FASCRS, Professor of Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Chairperson, Colon/Rectal Cancer Program, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, State Chair, Commission on Cancer, SW-PA, is a highly respected surgeon at the AHN Surgery Institute specializing in colon and rectal cancer, recurrent rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and various digestive conditions. Dr. McCormick, Professor of Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, is an internationally recognized thought leader and speaker with expertise in bowel reconstructive procedures including sphincter preservation and j-pouch, complex and reoperative pelvic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery, transanal, endoscopic, and endoluminal surgery. Dr. McCormick chairs the multidisciplinary disease site for colorectal cancer for the Allegheny Health Network and the NAPRC-certified AHNCI Rectal Cancer Center of Excellence. He is also the Commission on Cancer State Chair for Southwestern Pennsylvania. He is a Senior Examiner for the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery after serving on both the Oral and Written Examination Committees for the Board. Dr. McCormick earned his medical degree from Lake Erie College School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at West Penn Hospital. He received advanced training through a fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Dr. McCormick served as the American College of Surgeons Governor, working in the Best Practice Workgroup, and is past president of the American College of Surgeons, Southwestern PA Chapter. He has been a member of the Professional Outreach, Standards, and Self-Assessment Committees for the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery. He is currently president-elect of the Pennsylvania Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Dr. McCormick welcomes patients ages 18 and older.

Alexander Helfand, MD, is a medical oncologist and hematologist with AHN Cancer Institute, specializing in providing compassionate and empathetic oncologic and hematologic care. He diagnoses and treats blood-related illness and cancer. Dr. Helfand went to medical school at Sackler School of Medicine, New York State/American Program, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Upon completion of medical school, he did his residency at Weill Cornell Medicine: New York Presbyterian – Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York and his fellowship in hematology/oncology at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Helfand is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is affiliated with the American Society of Hematology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He speaks Spanish and Hebrew and sees patients ages 18 and older.

Dr. Synowiec is System Vice Chair for the Department of Neurology at Allegheny Health Network, and Associate Professor of Neurology at Drexel University. She primarily treats patients with central nervous system disorders, specializing in headache disorders and epilepsy. She has expertise in performing Botox injections, trigger point injections, occipital nerve blocks, and reading EEGs. Dr. Synowiec is board certified in Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). She is fellowship trained and ABPN subspecialty certified in Clinical Neurophysiology. She has additional subspecialty certification by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties in Headache Medicine, as well as a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Headache Medicine from the National Headache Foundation. She also serves on the medical advisory board of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Dr. Synowiec is active in clinical practice, teaching, and researching disorders of the brain and nervous system.