Dr. Eric Mark Bashkoff

Twenty years ago I had a follow-up appointment with my OBGYN after the birth of my second child. After palpating my neck, the doctor confirmed a growth about the size of a grain of rice. My GP then followed up multiple tests, one of which revealed a cold spot near my thyroid. My options were to wait and see for six months to a year or to get a biopsy. I opted for the biopsy. My GP highly recommended a young surgeon named Dr. Eric Bashkoff. The routine biopsy turned into a five and a half hour surgery to remove an inward growing, malignant tumor wrapped around my vocal cords. Dr. Bashkoff gave the bad news to my family and added that he thought I would lose my ability to speak because of the hours spent on my vocal cords to remove the tumor. Dr. Bashkoff checked on me frequently and happened to be in the room when I awoke from anesthesia. I immediately asked for water and a trip to the restroom. He informed my family that it was a miracle that I could speak. I agree. I thank… God that Dr. Bashkoff saved my life. As a teacher, I am appreciative that he enjoyed and valued his education. As a mom, I am grateful to have two decades of life with my family. Lastly, I have the best looking scar of anyone I meet. I cannot express how envious others are of my lack of scarring. They always inquire about the surgeon, and I reply with the above testimony. Not a day goes by that I am not reminded of his talent and gift of life to me.

Dr. Bashkoff's empathy in dealing with me was amazing and he truly went above and beyond the call of duty by calling me himself with the good news of negative results to an excisional biopsy he did on my right breast 10 years ago. I had every reason to believe that the results could have been otherwise and Dr. "Precious", as his own staff calls him, treated me the same way, I feel sure, he would've treated his own mother in similar circumstances.