Neha Lad, MD

Abhisek Swaika, MD, is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist at Northwell Health, as well as an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. After attending Kasturba Medical College in India, followed by residency at the State University of New York at Buffalo and a fellowship at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Dr. Swaika joined Queens Medical Associates, which became part of Northwell in 2020. Dr. Swaika was drawn towards oncology as it proved to be appealing and both as a quickly changing field and one that’s intellectually fascinating. He also likes how the field allows him to forge long-term, compassionate patient connections—bringing together the science and care he’s cultivated from the start. Queens Medical Associates, as a practice, provides culturally sensitive and cutting-edge care for the borough, and the connection with Northwell gives patients a community-focused practice with considerable resources, including access to clinical trials. “This is comprehensive, individualized care at its best,” he says. “You can have a huge team working for you and on your side, while still getting the one-on-one relationship with your oncologist.” That’s especially important with how much cancer takes a toll on both patients and families. “Recognizing that family members need support, too, is very important because this is a vulnerable time for everyone,” he says. “It can definitely be challenging, physically and emotionally, so with my team, I try to take some of that weight off patients and their loved ones.” Physicians and staff represent fluency in over 30 languages, an important part of making patients feel at ease. Dr. Swaika is fluent in Hindi and Bengali and appreciates the team-based approach at both the clinic and within Northwell. Often when he meets new patients and they realize he speaks their language and understands their culture, confidence in the treatment soars. “Patients just want to be heard and understood, on every level,” he says. “We’re able to provide that, and in a meaningful way.”

Sandeep Anantha, MD, FACS, FICS, FSSO, feels called to his profession as a surgical oncologistnot only for his technical skill, but for his passion in fostering long-lasting, life-changing relationships with his patients. His clinical focus is on gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeries. He leverages robotic and minimally invasive surgery technologies as well and consults on patients with all types of cancers.With his valued expertise and insight, Dr. Anantha represents the surgical side of a patients cancer care, but he is closely knit with other areas of carepathology, radiology and more. This is why when patients meet Dr. Anantha, they dont feel like theyve met just one doctor. They feel like theyve met the whole team.It was in medical school at Yenepoya Medical College in India when Dr. Anantha experienced the patients' perspective personally. He felt firsthand what it is to be a patient, which gave him a different perspective about his patients' needs and has made him even more motivated to provide exceptional care.Dr. Anantha completed his residency at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, then went on to pursue his fellowship training in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeries at Providence Hospital and Medical Center- Michigan State University.Dr. Anantha now has his clinical practice at Monter Cancer Center affiliated with Northwell Health- Long Island Jewish Medical Center and extends his practice to LIJ- Forest Hills Hospital, where he serves as chairman for the Multidisciplinary Tumor Board Conferences, assessing tumors and growths with other cancer care professionals with a multidisciplinary approach, striving for better patient outcomes. To further his interests in clinical research, Dr. Anantha serves as a Principal Investigator in gall bladder cancer trials, paving the way for a better future for patients with this condition.Every member of Dr. Ananthas practice, including medical assistants, nurse practitioners and administrative staff, works toward the same vision: making sure patients leave feeling more confident and being cared for than when they walked in. Dr. Anantha leaves no question unanswered, and molds his approach to every patient, ensuring each receives the most personalized care possible.