Frank Forte, M.D., FACP
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.
Qun Dai, M.D., Ph.D.
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.
Meekoo Dhar, M.D.
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.
Philip Friscia, M.D.
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.
Marcel Odaimi, M.D.
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.
Terenig O. Terjanian, M.D.
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.
Seema Varma, M.D.
Dr. Varma graduated at the top of her class form the University of Mumbai in Mumbai, India. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Staten Island University Hospital and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She completed her fellowship training in Oncology/Hematology at the same institution.
She has received numerous honors and awards for her research and she has published several articles. Although Dr. Varma treats all aspects of Oncology/Hematology, her special interest is breast cancer.
Mary Vesoniaraki, M.D.
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.