Hematology and Oncology

Marjorie G. Zauderer, M.D.
Chief of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Westchester Medical Center
Professor of Medicine, NYMC

Physicians in the Division of Hematology and Oncology work closely with physicians from virtually every specialty at NYMC’s major clinical affiliate Westchester Medical Center in the care of patients with cancer. New pharmacologic, immunologic, and biological therapies and gene therapies are studied to determine their potential for preventing and treating cancers. Qualified patients may be enrolled in cutting-edge clinical cancer research studies and receive the most advanced treatment. Being involved in research programs allows patients to benefit from the expertise of the oncology faculty.

Hematologists with special expertise in benign and malignant hematologic disorders operate a general hematology outpatient clinic and an active inpatient service while conducting clinical research on the latest therapeutic advances. Patients are treated for various cytopenias, coagulation disorders, anemia, porphyria, thalassemias, thrombotic disorders, and other benign and malignant hematologic diseases. Hematologic care is given for plasmapheresis, cytopheresis, chemotherapy, component therapy for bleeding disorders, and anticoagulation for thromboembolic disorders.

The section of solid tumor oncology has been collaborating with Surgical Oncology and Radiation Medicine to find new multimodality therapies for cancerous organs that historically have been difficult to treat with chemotherapy. Small molecules, novel compounds, and phase I and II drugs are among the section’s areas of expertise and disease sub-specialized faculty are increasingly able to offer personalized treatment plans tailored to the specific genetics and molecular features of a particular tumor.

Bone marrow transplantation, which began in 1983, and stem cell transplantation have grown to encompass allogeneic, unrelated, cord blood, autologous transplants and mini-allogeneic (reduced intensity conditioning) transplantation strategies. The program, which is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy, has pioneered a tandem stem cell transplant for Hodgkin lymphoma, reduced intensity conditioning treatments utilizing the drug mitoxantrone, ara-C and pentostatin and refrigerated marrow storage techniques that have led to wide acclaim.

Medical Student Education

Third-year medical students can choose to learn more about the field of oncology through a two-week elective where they will participate as part of the clinical care team. Fourth-year medical students can further explore the field through an oncology elective when they participate in weekly oncology clinics and in the consultation and care of patients under the supervision of oncology fellows and attending physicians.

Hematology and Oncology Fellowship

The NYMC Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Training Program at St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey, focuses on preparing oncologists who are committed to the communities they serve and to providing care that is consistently excellent, responsive, and centered around every patient. St. Michael’s serves an urban community with a significant indigent population. Therefore, emphasis is placed on recruiting fellows with aspirations to support the community as attending physicians, as well as during their training.

Program Director: Gunwant Guron, M.D.
Program Coordinator: Denise Coley
(973) 877-5488

NYMC’s major clinical affiliate, Westchester Medical Center, also offers a Fellowship Training Program in Hematology and Oncology.