(STONY BROOK, N.Y., March 1, 2006) – Martin S. Karpeh, Jr., M.D., Chief of Surgical Oncology at Stony Brook University Medical Center, has been named Director of the Stony Brook University Cancer Center. As Director, Dr. Karpeh (Kar-PAY) is responsible for supervising the development of Stony Brook’s new Cancer Center facility when it opens by fall 2006. He also oversees the continued development of cancer research programs, clinical trials, and the hospital’s cancer treatment programs.
The Stony Brook University Cancer Center integrates the only university-based cancer research in the region into clinical practices at Stony Brook University Medical Center. The new center will house the hospital’s outpatient medical and surgical oncology units, the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Care Center, outpatient pediatric oncology, cancer support services, an imaging center and pain management services.
Dr. Karpeh is known worldwide for his surgical expertise and management of gastric and esophageal cancers other cancers of the gastrointestinal tract; sarcomas, melanoma and breast cancer. As Chief of Surgical Oncology at Stony Brook, Dr. Karpeh has grown the Surgical Oncology Division to a seven member group that treats all types of solid tumors. He has also spearheaded new programs focusing on improving minimally invasive cancer surgery methods.
“Our goal is to continue recruiting top physicians for our programs, implement new and more effective forms of surgery, and initiate and participate in more clinical trials that feature new and groundbreaking therapies for our patients,” says Dr. Karpeh.
According to Richard N. Fine, M.D., Dean, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Dr. Karpeh’s appointment comes at a significant period in the growth and development of the Stony Brook University Cancer Center, and Stony Brook University Medical Center.
“Dr. Karpeh believes firmly in bringing new, cutting edge treatments and technologies to patients in our community,” Dr. Fine said. “His work as a clinician and surgical oncologist, and his direct involvement with translational cancer research are a natural fit for his overseeing patient care at our newly planned facility.”
Since opening in 2000, the Cancer Center established a full service blood and marrow stem cell transplant program for patients with hematological cancers; launched a database that provides cancer researchers with blood, tumor tissue and medical data; began community outreach programs on breast cancer education; and, recruited several top surgical and medical oncologists.
According to Dr. Karpeh, the Cancer Center will continue to build on this momentum and implement new and more effective forms of surgery and other therapies for cancer. Bridging basic and translational cancer research at Stony Brook to clinical uses will be another focus and goal as the new leadership takes hold.
Prior to joining Stony Brook University Hospital, Dr. Karpeh spent 12 years as a surgical oncologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. Board Certified in General Surgery, he received his medical degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1983 and completed his General Surgery residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology.
Stony Brook University Medical Center is the only academic medical center and tertiary care hospital in Suffolk County. With its 504 beds and 4,000 employees, Stony Brook University Medical Center is the largest hospital in the county. The new Heart Center and the Stony Brook University Cancer Center attract patients from throughout the region for their cutting edge diagnostic and treatment facilities and compassionate care. Stony Brook has Long Island’s only kidney transplantation center and home to the nation’s first Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center, designated in 2005 as a Center of Excellence. The hospital is also the regional referral center for trauma, perinatal and neonatal intensive care, burns, bone marrow and stem cell transplantation, cystic fibrosis, pediatric/adult AIDS, and is home to the Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities.
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