Dr. Basem Nady Azab, MD

Basem Nady Azab, MD, is the director of surgical oncology at Staten Island University Hospital’s Florina Cancer Center at Northwell, one of the largest cancer programs in the New York metropolitan area. He’s the first and only doctor in the country who is triple board-certified by the American Board of Surgery, American Board of Medicine and American Board of Surgical Oncology.

“My father was a firefighter, and I developed the same passion for helping others,” Dr. Azab explains. “That’s why I became a doctor and chose a career path where I could really make a difference.”

Prior to joining Northwell, Dr. Azab completed his internal medicine and surgical residency at Staten Island University Hospital, where he received the honorary Humanistic Award for exceptional patient care. He continued his training in a two-year surgical oncology fellowship at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Azab's areas of focus include complex procedures and minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery to …treat a wide range of cancers. Under his leadership, the Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) Program was created at Staten Island University Hospital, the first of its kind in Richmond County. It offers state-of-the-art therapies for patients with advanced abdominal cancer, pairing the latest treatments and surgical techniques—like vascular reconstruction with Whipple surgery—to deliver the best results.

Compassion and accessibility are also important to Dr. Azab. “Most of my patients have my personal cell phone number,” he says. “They’re very much involved in the treatment discussion, and we work together to find the best path forward.”

As assistant professor at Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Dr. Azab trains the next generation of surgical oncologists. His work has been featured in nearly 50 publications, he has spoken at several international and national oncology meetings, and he’s a member of numerous professional societies, including the American College of Surgeons. Outside of his professional duties, Dr. Azab is a master chess player. “It's a game of strategy, much like the job of a surgeon,” he explains. “You must avoid decision fatigue and be on your toes, which is critical in the operating room.”

For Dr. Azab, the gift he’s able to give patients is the most rewarding: “It is gratifying to know that I play a part in helping my patients not only live, but also enjoy life moving forward,” he says.