Terenig Terjanian, MD, is a hematologist and medical oncologist at Northwell Health, and an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Growing up in Lebanon, Dr. Terjanian’s early love for biology and chemistry set him on the path toward medicine. After attending St. Joseph’s University, he did a residency in pathology at American University of Beirut Medical Center, and one in internal medicine at Staten Island University Hospital. He then did fellowships in hematology and oncology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Although he initially specialized in pathology, Dr. Terjanian chose cancer care as a main focus after coming to the United States in 1981. "The number one thing I want patients to know is that I'll listen to them," he says. "I try to go over every aspect of their disease slowly, explain why we order the tests we do, and have them be completely aware of all the steps," he says, adding that he often gives patients his cell number, because he knows concerns can come up anytime. "I think of what I would want as a patient, and it would be a doctor who really cares." Dr. Terjanian is deeply interested in clinical research. He has been the principal investigator on several protocols, including those of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project at Staten Island University Hospital, and has published multiple peer-reviewed papers and abstracts and presented at international meetings. He also runs the research committee for medical residents interested in hematology-oncology, and for fellows in that specialty. He's a member of the system-wide Institutional Review Board, a group that ensures clinical trials are done ethically and safely. In addition to participation in weekly tumor board meetings, and frequently providing lectures for interns and residents, Dr. Terjanian still enjoys the chemistry and biology that drew him to medicine from the start, especially since the science in oncology changes so rapidly – which leads to improved patient outcomes. "Every day, there is something new happening in cancer diagnosis and treatment, and it's exciting to see that progress," he says. "Patients are living longer, they're experiencing better quality of life with targeted therapy or immunotherapy. It’s immensely satisfying to see how far we've come."
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