Newswise — New Brunswick, N.J., October 31, 2017 – A number of chief physicians at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, are being honored as a ‘Jersey Choice Top Doctor’ by New Jersey Monthly magazine.  As chief of their respective divisions and sections they provide leadership and represent the outstanding care provided by their team.

An independent research firm was commissioned by the magazine to conduct the 2017 survey. Thousands of New Jersey-based doctors were asked to give physician recommendations, which resulted in nearly 3,600 individual nominations.   A select group of physicians were named to the final list following a professional review by a panel of doctors.

Rutgers Cancer Institute physicians on this year’s list are also faculty members at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and practice at Rutgers Cancer Institute’s flagship hospital Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, an RWJBarnabas Health facility. Those named to the 2017 list are:

  • David A. August, MD, Chief of Surgical Oncology and Section Chief, Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology; specialty: gastrointestinal malignancies
  • Shabbar Danish, MD, Chief, Neurosurgical Oncology; specialty: brain tumors, spine tumors, advanced neurosurgery
  • Richard Drachtman, MD, Section Chief, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology; specialty: pediatric cancers and blood disorders
  • Lorna Rodriguez, MD, PhD, Chief, Gynecologic Oncology and Director, Precision Medicine; specialty: gynecologic cancers
  • Roger Strair, MD, PhD, Chief, Division of Blood Disorders; specialty: leukemia, lymphoma, blood and marrow transplants
  • Robert E. Weiss, MD, urologic oncologist; specialty: urologic cancers

“While each of these physicians exhibits remarkable clinical and research expertise, their leadership qualities are unsurpassed as they help to ensure the future of cancer care and the scientific discovery that drives it. It is humbling that our peers recognize the passion and commitment of our team in carrying out this mission,” Rutgers Cancer Institute Director Steven K. Libutti, MD, FACS, who is also senior vice president of oncology services for RWJBarnabas Health and vice chancellor for cancer programs at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers University.

A full listing of ‘Top Doctors’ can be found at https://njmonthly.com/find-a-doctor/. Full profiles of Rutgers Cancer Institute doctors named to the list can be found at http://www.cinj.org/physician/index.php.

About Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Rutgers Cancer Institute, along with its partner RWJBarnabas Health, offers the most advanced cancer treatment options including clinical trials and novel therapeutics such as precision medicine and immunotherapy – many of which are not available at other facilities across the state.  Patients have access to these cutting-edge therapies throughout the state at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey at University Hospital in Newark, as well as at RWJBarnabas Health. 

Along with world-class treatment, which is often fueled by on-site research conducted in Rutgers Cancer Institute laboratories, patients and their families also can seek cancer preventative services and education resources throughout the Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas footprint statewide. To make a tax-deductible gift to support the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, call 848-932-8013 or visit www.cinj.org/giving. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheCINJ

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