For appointments at University Hospital Newark, please call 973-972-5108.
For all other inquiries call 732-235-2465.
I am a board-certified surgeon specializing in both colorectal and general surgery. After earning my medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, I completed my general surgery residency training at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey, now part of the RWJBarnabas Health System. During my residency, I served as the administrative chief resident for resident education. In my chief year, I was honored to receive awards for outstanding chief resident, as voted by both my peers and faculty. Following my residency, I pursued two advanced fellowships—first in surgical oncology at the National Cancer Institute Surgery Branch and then in colorectal surgery at Cleveland Clinic Florida.
My clinical interests include all aspects of benign and malignant colon and rectal diseases, colon cancer screening, and minimally invasive surgery. Currently, I am the sole colorectal surgeon at University Hospital, providing my patients with access to advanced minimally invasive robotic surgery. Postoperatively, I manage their recovery through an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program, which I developed to improve postoperative outcomes following major abdominal procedures.
As a compassionate surgeon, I strive to minimize recovery time, pain, and discomfort for my patients. I am also the only surgeon at University Hospital utilizing this modern approach to postoperative care. Additionally, I am deeply committed to advocating for my predominantly minority patient population, ensuring they have a better experience navigating the healthcare system. My fluency in Spanish allows me to communicate effectively with a diverse range of patients, strengthening my ability to provide personalized care. My dedication to the Newark community is evident through the numerous town halls, Connecting with the Community Facebook Live events, and talks I have given for University Hospital on cancer screening and awareness.
In my administrative roles, I chair the Rutgers NJMS Department of Surgery’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, serve as the Clerkship Director for the Rutgers NJMS third-year surgery clerkship, and am an Assistant Program Director for the RBHS-North general surgery residency. I am a fellow of the American College of Colon & Rectal Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. I am also actively involved in several national organizations, including the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, the Association of Surgical Education Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force, The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, and the Association of Women Surgeons. Recently, I was named the National Hispanic Medical Association Council of Surgery Co-Chair.
Teaching and mentorship are also passions of mine. I am actively involved in training and mentoring medical students, surgery residents, nursing students, and underserved Latinx pre-med students, and I have trained several colorectal surgery fellows.
Accepted Health Plan information is only as accurate as the most current information submitted. Prior to your appointment, it is advisable to verify with your insurance company they are still a participating plan prior to receiving services or care. Each plan is different and some provide different levels of coverage that could make a difference in your out-of-pocket costs. It is always best for the patient receiving care to contact their insurance company to obtain more information.