Newswise — David B. Samadi, MD, one of the nation's leading urologic oncologists specializing in robotics and minimally invasive surgery for prostate cancer, has been named Chief of the Division of Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery in the Department of Urology at Mount Sinai. His appointment becomes effective on May 1.
Prior to joining Mount Sinai, Dr. Samadi established a robust practice at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, where he served as Director of Robotic Laparoscopic Surgery in the Department of Urology.
A board-certified urologist and a leader in men's health, Dr. Samadi specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer and other urologic diseases, providing targeted therapies for men that not only treat the disease, but also reduce incontinence, improve sexual function and quality of life.
Dr. Samadi has performed more than 800 robotic laparoscopic procedures, and frequently lectures and trains other urologists on the use of the da Vinci® robotic surgical system, a revolutionary technology that magnifies the surgical field significantly and gives surgeons greater visualization, dexterity, and precision during surgery.
Dr. Samadi is unique in that he is one of very few urologic oncologic surgeons in the United States trained in all three primary areas of surgery—open, laparoscopic, and robotic. "I am delighted to be joining Mount Sinai," says Dr. Samadi. "I look forward to providing my patients with the highest standard of care at this world-renowned medical institution. Mount Sinai is in the forefront of advances in robotic and minimally invasive surgical approaches to urological diseases and is committed to expanding its program in the years ahead."
Simon J. Hall, MD, Chairman of Mount Sinai's Department of Urology and Director of the Barbara and Maurice Deane Prostate Health and Research Center at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, notes, "Dr. David Samadi will be a great asset to Mount Sinai and the Deane Center. He brings to this important leadership role an unusual combination of extensive training and experience in advanced minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic radical prostatectomy, as well as open surgery." Dr. Samadi's drive and passion can be traced to a defining life event that occurred almost 20 years ago. Born to a Jewish family in Iran, Dr. Samadi's life changed overnight when in 1979 the Shah's government was overthrown. Only 16 years old, he and his younger brother were sent on their own to Belgium. Arriving with $300 in their pockets, the brothers were taken in by the Persian-Jewish community. The experience is one that Dr. Samadi will never forget as he took care of his younger brother and struggled to survive.
After living in Belgium and London, relying on the kindness of strangers, Dr. Samadi moved to New York to complete his education. On a full scholarship, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he became interested in studying medicine, and, in particular, oncology.
Dr. Samadi completed his post-graduate training as a general surgery resident at Montefiore Medical Center and as a urology resident at Albert Einstein School of Medicine. He studied with Peter T. Scardino, M.D., while completing an oncology fellowship in urology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Canter and a robotics and laparoscopic fellowship in urology at Henri Mondor Hospital in France under the mentorship of Professor Claude Abbou.
It was Dr. Samadi's early struggle and his gratitude for the kindness of others that led him to develop a philosophy in which he is "always on call" for his patients, reachable by cell phone or email at any time of the day or night. He is eager to return the kindness by being supremely accessible to his patients and by reaching out and "giving back" to underserved communities through education and care.
About The Mount Sinai Medical CenterThe Mount Sinai Medical Center encompasses The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The Mount Sinai Hospital is one of the nation's oldest, largest and most-respected voluntary hospitals. Founded in 1852, Mount Sinai today is a 1,171-bed tertiary-care teaching facility that is internationally acclaimed for excellence in clinical care. Last year, nearly 50,000 people were treated at Mount Sinai as inpatients, and there were nearly 450,000 outpatient visits to the Medical Center.
Mount Sinai School of Medicine is internationally recognized as a leader in groundbreaking clinical and basic-science research, as well as having an innovative approach to medical education. With a faculty of more than 3,400 in 38 clinical and basic science departments and centers, Mount Sinai ranks among the top 20 medical schools in receipt of National Institute of Health (NIH) grants.
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