Clinical Faculty

Dr. Harry Staszewski

Dr. Staszewski served as Chief of the Oncology Hematology Division at Winthrop-University Hospital from 1996-2015, and is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at SUNY Stony Brook.

After earning an M.D. from Yale University, Dr. Staszewski completed his residency training and fellowships at North Shore University Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Staszewski maintains active memberships with the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and the American Association for Cancer Research. He has been recognized as an outstanding hematologist by his listing numerous times in the annual “Best Doctors” issue of New York Magazine. Dr. Staszewski was the principal investigator for a number of clinical trials in breast cancer, leukemia, myeloma, and colorectal cancers. He fosters innovation and research, particularly in cutting edge molecular diagnostic technology, helping to bring personalized medicine and bio-marker research from theory to reality.

He has published numerous articles in major peer-reviewed medical journals. During his 30+ year career in Medicine, Dr. Staszewski continues to develop and maintain the ongoing medical education of physicians and clinical staff. Dr. Staszewski has been closely involved in mentoring and teaching medical students, residents and sub-specialty fellows.

Dr. Staszewski’s clinical practice spans the entire spectrum of hematological and oncological disorders but he has a particular interest in hematological malignancies and colorectal cancer. At New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, Dr. Staszewski currently serves as Chief Medical Officer.

Dr. David Chu

Dr. Chu is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Oncology.

After receiving his BS in Biology from Cornell University, Dr. Chu went on to receive his MD at St. George’s University. He did his internship and residency training at Stony Brook University Hospital. He completed his fellowship training at Stony Brook University Hospital and was named Chief Fellow during his last year.

Dr. Chu has faculty appointment of Clinical Instructor and was elected to the Stony Brook Hospital medical board.

He is Chief of the Department of Hematology and Oncology at Mather Hospital and St. Charles Hospital. At Mather Hospital, he serves as Chairman of the Cancer Committee and Chairman of the Breast Program Leadership Committee.

He has co-authored dozens of publications relating to oncology and hematology and has presented his findings at numerous national conferences.

His interests include lung cancer, lymphomas, and targeted biologic therapeutic agents.

Dr. Jerry George

Dr. George joined the team of premier physicians at New York Cancer & Blood Specialists in the summer of 2013.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science; Life Sciences through the Accelerated BS/DO Program at New York Institute of Technology, Dr. Jerry George obtained his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine through the same institution. Upon the completion of his D.O., Dr. George completed his Categorical Internal Medicine Internship and Residency at the New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center. To conclude his post-graduate training, Dr. Jerry George completed his Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship at Lenox Hill Hospital.

Among his many professional honors and scholarly activity, Dr. George has had multiple medical publications throughout his career, including those found in “[The Journal of] Community [and Supportive] Oncology” and “The New Zealand Medical Journal”. He currently holds an appointment for Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professorship at Mount Sinai.

Dr. Jerry George, D.O. has special interest in cases focused on lymphomas, multiple myeloma and lung cancers. He is currently accepting new patients in New York Cancer Specialists’ Setauket, Port Jefferson and Riverhead offices.

Dr. Adriana Guigova

After receiving her BA from Fordham University, Dr. Guigova went on to receive her Medical Degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. During her medical training, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Neuromuscular Sciences, with particular focus in Human Anatomy. She then completed her residency and fellowship training at Northwell Health / North Shore-LIJ Health System where she was the Chief Fellow during her final year. Specific areas of interest include Breast and Gynecologic Malignancies.

Dr. Samir Patel

Dr. Samir Patel is a Board Certified physician in hematology and medical oncology and has a special interest in Leukemia, Lymphomas, and Benign Hematology and Bleeding Disorders.

After completing his Bachelor of Science in chemistry and honors biology at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign he continued to The Chicago Medical School where he received is M.D. as well as, his M.S. in applied physiology. Dr. Patel’s post-graduate training began at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis with his Residency and Internship then followed his fellowship at New York Medical College where he was Chief Fellow of his class.

Dr. Patel has been a practicing oncologist since 2009 and has gained experience through his time spent treating patients at the Metropolitan Hospital Center and Mid-Valley Oncology Hematology in New York and at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center in Florida. He has also been a contributing author to many publications and case reports, most focused on leukemia.

Since joining the team at New York Cancer Specialists in 2014, Dr. Patel is continually accepting new patients in our Port Jefferson and Patchogue offices.

Dr. Jeffrey Vacirca

Jeffrey Vacirca, MD, FACP, is a renowned cancer physician and visionary leader with extensive experience and commitment to community oncology.

Dr. Vacirca assumed the role of CEO and Chairman of the Board of New York Cancer & Blood Specialists (NYCBS) in 2008 when he helped salvage the previous practice from bankruptcy by the existing shareholders. After two years, the practice emerged as a stronger unified group of physicians dedicated to reinventing themselves as the premier cancer care deliverers of New York.

Dr. Vacirca has led NYCBS through an unparalleled period of transformation and incredible growth to grow into the leading oncology practice that now sees nearly a million patients a year throughout more than 30 oncology locations and 35 hospital affiliations.

Dr. Vacirca takes action against key billings, including abuse of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and sequester cuts. He formed the Conquering Cancer PAC, which advocates for cancer patients and, most importantly, strives to ensure access and availability for all patients no matter where they live.

Dr. George Cyriac

Dr. Cyriac earned his medical degree from Georgetown University. He completed internship and residency training in Internal Medicine at Georgetown University Hospital followed by Hematology and Oncology Fellowship at New York University. He is board certified in both medical oncology and hematology.

Throughout his training Dr. Cyriac has been involved in research directed toward bringing new, more effective treatments to patients. He is a co-author of several peer-reviewed publications. He has worked at the National Institutes of Health performing drug discovery research and his is a co-owner of a US patent on several investigational drugs. During his fellowship, Dr. Cyriac was involved in clinical trials research developing better lung cancer treatments using immunotherapy.

His clinical practice spans the entire spectrum of oncologic and hematologic disorders. He has particular expertise in lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers, lymphoma and benign hematology. Dr. Cyriac has worked exhaustively throughout his medical career to provide the highest quality care and making sure his patients are heard. He is dedicated to applying cutting-edge cancer therapies, specifically immunotherapy and targeted therapy, and tailoring treatment to each individual aiming for the best possible outcome.