New York Surgical Partners

Gary R. Gecelter, M.D., FACS

Gary R. Gecelter, M.D., FACS, a world-renowned expert in surgical oncology and laparoscopic surgery, is the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at St. Francis and oversees the Hospital's growing noncardiac surgical program, which includes advanced technology and minimally-invasive techniques in esophageal, pancreatico-biliary, colon, urological, ear, nose and throat and orthopedic surgery. Dr. Gecelter served as the Vice-Chairman of the Department of Surgery at the North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System before joining St. Francis in 2008. Dr. Gecelter is a founding member of the Minimally Invasive Fellowship Council and a member of numerous national and international societies, including the Society of Surgical Oncology and Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. He is also a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and has been invited to lecture throughout the world, including the United Kingdom, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and Colombia.

Certifications: Minimally Invasive Fellowship Council , Society of Surgical Oncology , Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract , American College of Gastroenterology

George DeNoto, III, M.D., FACS

George DeNoto, III, M.D., FACS, is the Director of General Surgery at St. Francis Hospital, The Heart Center®. Previously, he served as Chief of the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery at North Shore University Hospital at Manhasset and Director of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship. Dr. DeNoto received his Doctor of Medicine from Stony Brook University Medical School in 1988. He then completed his General Surgery residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York in 1993 where he received the distinguished Arthur H. Aufses Senior Prize in Surgery. Since 1993, he has practiced General Surgery and Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery at North Shore University Hospital at Manhasset. At North Shore University Hospital he has received the Resident Teaching Award in 2000 and 2011. Dr. DeNoto is an internationally recognized leader in hernia surgery and his areas of surgical expertise include: laparoscopic and open inguinal hernia surgery; management of routine and complex ventral and incisional hernias; single incision laparoscopic surgery; laparoscopic foregut surgery; laparoscopic colon surgery; and DaVinci robotic surgery.

Education: Stony Brook University Medical School

Michael J. Giuffrida, M.D., FACS

Michael J. Giuffrida, M.D., FACS., joined St. Francis Hospital as laparoscopic surgeon in 2011 and specializes in minimally invasive procedures of abdominal wall and gastrointestinal tract. Dr. Giuffrida received his medical degree at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York in 2002 and completed a fellowship in minimally invasive, gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System (LIJ) in Manhasset, New York. He also completed an internship and residency at Saint Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in Manhattan and performed a research fellowship at Children's Hospital Boston and completed his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Giuffrida has moonlighted at Shriner's Hospital for Children in Boston, Massachusetts General Hospital also in Boston, and the North Shore Medical Center in Lynn, Massachusetts. He is certified in daVinci Surgical System and has co-authored publications in Journal of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Pharmacology, and Gut.

Education: SUNY Upstate Medical University , North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System (LIJ) , Saint Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in Manhattan

Certifications: Certified in daVinci Surgical System , Co-authored publications in Journal of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Pharmacology, and Gut.

Eugene Rubach, M.D., FACS

Eugene Rubach, M.D., FACS, has been laparoscopic surgeon in the Department of Surgery at St. Francis Hospital since 2008. Prior to that, he served as an attending physician at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System (LIJ) in Manhasset, New York, from 2005 to 2008. Dr. Rubach received his medical degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark in 1999. He completed his residency at Albany Medical Center and a fellowship in minimally invasive, gastrointestinal and robotic surgery at North Shore-LIJ. Dr. Rubach is currently a clinical assistant professor of surgery at Hofstra University School of Medicine and a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgery, and the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. His publications include Journal of Emergency Medicine, Surgical Endoscopy, and Journal of Laparoendoscopic and Advanced Surgical Techniques.

Education: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey , Albany Medical Center , North Shore-LIJ

Certifications: American College of Surgeons , Society of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgery , Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons.

Dr. Jonathan Zagzag

Dr. Jonathan Zagzag is a board-certified endocrine surgeon with a Focused Practice Designation in Endocrine Surgery, specializing in the surgical treatment of thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal disorders. He is one of the few surgeons on Long Island with advanced fellowship training and this national designation, reflecting his expertise and dedication to high-volume endocrine surgery. Dr. Zagzag completed his surgical residency at NYU Langone Health and an endocrine surgery fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the nation’s leading programs in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. He has extensive experience in: Parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism and other parathyroid conditions Thyroidectomy for benign and malignant thyroid disease Adrenal surgery, including minimally invasive techniques Recognized for his compassionate patient care and surgical excellence, Dr. Zagzag combines advanced techniques with clear, personalized communication. Patients consistently note his approachable style and excellent outcomes. He is affiliated with St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center in Roslyn, NY (Catholic Health), where he provides comprehensive evaluation, surgical management, and follow-up care. Dr. Zagzag welcomes new patients from across Long Island, Queens, and the greater New York area.

Education: NYU Langone Health , MD Anderson Cancer Center

Steven A. Tamesis, MD, FACS

Steven A. Tamesis, MD, FACS is a Minimally Invasive Foregut and General Surgeon with Catholic Health Physician Partners, caring for patients at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center, and Good Samaritan University Hospital. He completed General Surgery residency training at UPMC–Mercy (University of Pittsburgh) and advanced fellowship training in Minimally Invasive Foregut Surgery at Allegheny Health Network – Esophageal Institute in Pittsburgh. Dr. Tamesis specializes in the comprehensive management of GERD, hiatal/paraesophageal hernias, and complex foregut disorders using a physiology-based approach, with particular expertise in esophageal and gastric physiology testing to guide diagnosis and tailor therapy. His practice incorporates objective foregut evaluation—including high-resolution esophageal manometry, ambulatory pH and pH-impedance testing, and related functional assessments when indicated—to optimize outcomes and inform both endoscopic and surgical decision-making. He has expertise and academic focus in advanced therapeutic endoscopy and third-space endoscopic surgery, including POEM (and variants) for esophageal motility disorders, G-POEM for selected gastric motility/pyloric dysfunction, and advanced endoscopic resection techniques—STER, ESD, and EFTR—for organ-preserving treatment of select esophageal and gastric tumors. In addition to his clinical focus, he is deeply committed to resident and medical student education where he leads educational initiatives focused on surgical innovation, resident autonomy, and outcomes-driven care. He previously served as Program Director of the inaugural General Surgery Residency Program at Good Samaritan University Hospital/St. Catherine of Siena Hospital and now serves as Associate Program Director, as well as Surgical Clerkship Director at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital.

Education: UPMC–Mercy (University of Pittsburgh) , Allegheny Health Network – Esophageal Institute in Pittsburgh

Dr. Abbas E. Abbas

Dr. Abbas is an internationally recognized leader in minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery, known for his expertise in treating mediastinal, esophageal and lung diseases. At Catholic Health, he leads a comprehensive thoracic surgery service line focused on advancing care for lung cancer, esophageal disease, chest wall and mediastinal pathology, thoracic outlet syndrome and benign thoracic conditions. Prior to joining Catholic Health, Dr. Abbas was Professor and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Brown University. Board-certified in surgery and thoracic surgery, he trained in general surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and completed a cardiothoracic fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. A widely published author and frequent international speaker, Dr. Abbas has served on the boards of several professional societies and continues to shape the field of robotic thoracic surgery through innovation, research and education. Thoracic Surgery Services Expert diagnosis and advanced treatments for thoracic diseases and conditions: Mesothelioma Tracheal tumors Thoracic tumors Achalasia Lung and esophageal cancer Chest wall deformities Foregut disease Hiatal hernias Minimally invasive robotic surgical techniques: Ultra complex tracheal resection plasty Locally advanced tumor resection

Education: University of Pennsylvania , Mayo Clinic

Dr. Sandeep Anantha

Dr. Sandeep Anantha is a board-certified general surgeon, with fellowship training in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, practicing complex surgical oncology over 10 years. He is now the System Director of Robotic Surgical Oncology at Catholic Health developing a comprehensive robotic surgical oncology program. He completed his Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgery Fellowship at Providence Hospital and Medical Center, affiliated with Michigan State University. A leader in complex minimally invasive robotic surgery, Dr. Anantha brings precision, innovation, and compassionate care to patients across Long Island and Queens. His approach focuses on high quality and patient centered care minimizing recovery time while maximizing oncologic outcomes. With expertise in robotic and laparoscopic techniques, he performs advanced procedures for cancers of the liver, pancreas, bile duct, gastrointestinal system, and adrenal glands. He brings dedicated multidisciplinary, patient-centered care within Catholic Health’s comprehensive cancer program to the communities of New York.

Education: Providence Hospital and Medical Center, affiliated with Michigan State University

Certifications: System Director of Robotic Surgical Oncology at Catholic Health

Mitchell I. Chorost, M.D., FACS

Mitchell I. Chorost, M.D., FACS, joined St. Francis Hospital as Director of Surgical Oncology in 2014. Dr. Chorost, who has extensive experience in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, Breast Cancer, Skin Cancers, sarcomas, served as the Director of Surgical Oncology and Associate Director of the Cancer Center at New York Hospital Queens. Prior to that, he was the Associate Program Director in the Department of Surgery and Chief of Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology at Maimonides Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Chorost received his medical degree from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and completed his residency in general surgery at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He then completed his fellowship in surgical oncology at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. Dr. Chorost is a board-certified surgeon as well as a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology, and the American College of Clinical Oncology. He currently serves as the State Chair of Commission on Cancer for the American College of Surgeons.

Education: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey , State University of New York at Stony Brook , Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo

Certifications: American College of Surgeons , Society of Surgical Oncology , American College of Clinical Oncology , State Chair of Commission on Cancer for the American College of Surgeons