Director of Medical
Oncology/Hematology,
Director of Palliative Medicine
In the more than 30 years in which Dr. Forte has practiced medicine on Staten Island, he has become a familiar and trusted friend to hundreds of local families. Trained at Creighton University School of Medicine in Nebraska, and New York University Medical Center, he is the Nalitt Institute's Director of Medical Oncology/Hematology and Palliative Medicine.
Dr. Forte is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and the subspecialty Boards of Hematology and Medical Oncology. Dr. Forte has earned the academic appointment of Assistant Clinical Professor of Medical Oncology at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center. He also is certified in Palliative Care by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He has been listed among the Best Doctors in New York by NY Magazine.
After completing his residency at University Hospital and his fellowship training at New York University Medical Center, Dr. Forte began his practice at Staten Island University Hospital. What his credentials do not underscore is attested to by his patients: He is a tireless, compassionate doctor, dedicated to providing sympathetic, personalized care.
Trained at St. Joseph University School of Medicine, Beirut, Dr. Terjanian completed his residency at University Hospital before beginning fellowship training at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Cancer Institute and New York University Medical Center.
Dr. Terjanian chairs the hospital's Cancer Committee as well as the subcommittee on Clinical Research in Neoplastic Services. Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, subspecialty boards of Medical Oncology and Hematology, he is a Clinical Assistant Professor at at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center. He also directs the Hematology/Oncology program at the hospital's south campus.
Trained at the American University of Beirut School of Medicine, Dr. Odaimi completed his residency at University Hospital and his fellowship training at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Cancer Institute. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and subspecialty board of Medical Oncology. Dr. Odaimi coordinates Staten Island University Hospital's Tumor Board and is chairman of the Oncology Performance Improvement Committee.
Formerly the chief of hematology and oncology at the United States Public Health Hospital and later Bayley Seton Hospital, Dr. Vesoniaraki was trained at the University of Athens, Greece, and completed a fellowship at Jewish Hospital and Medical Center of Brooklyn. Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, subspecialty boards of Medical Oncology and Hematology, she is also medical director of University Hospice and certified by the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine, in which she has been elevated to the rank of Fellow in the organization.
Over 25 years of caring for her patients has made "Dr. Mary" known and loved throughout the medical community.
Dr. Friscia graduated from the University of Bologna in Bologna, Italy. He completed his residency at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn. He also completed his fellowship training in Hematology/Oncology at the same institution. Board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, Dr. Friscia has joined the full-time staff of the Nalitt Institute.
A practicing oncologist for over 20 years, he was chief of hematology/oncology at Victory Memorial Hospital in Brooklyn and is a past president of the Bay Ridge Chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Dr. Dai received her medical degree in 1983 from Nanjing Medical College, China, and a Ph.D. degree in molecular biology from New York University School of Medicine in 1995. She conducted her internship and residency at Mount Sinai School of Medicine/Bronx VA Medical Center. She completed her subspecialty fellowship training in hematology and oncology at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, subspecialty boards of Medical Oncology and Hematology, and is skilled in both clinical practice and patient care as well as in research.
She had received the National Research Service Award from the National Institutes of Health for her research in blood-related diseases. Her recent work in studying targeted biological therapy in cancers refractory to conventional treatments was selected to be presented at an annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Dr. Dhar completed her fellowship in hematology/oncology at New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, where she had also completed her residency in internal medicine. She received her medical degree from the University of Kashmir, India, and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, subspecialty boards of Medical Oncology and Hematology.
During her career at New York Methodist, Dr. Dhar published and received several awards in research in the field of hematology, and recently was published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Committed to compassionate and individualized patient care, Dr. Dhar is dedicated to the principles and mission of the Nalitt Institute.