The Northwell Health Cancer Institute has chosen Steven Mitchell Cohen, DO, as its director of robotic pancreas surgery. Northwell has one of the largest cancer programs in New York State. Renowned for his expertise in the field, Dr. Cohen will further differentiate Northwell’s treatment of pancreatic disease with an emphasis on robotic Whipple procedures.
The Whipple is a complex surgery involving the pancreas, small intestine, gallbladder and bile duct. Dr. Cohen will report to Matthew J. Weiss, MD, MBA, vice president and vice chair of surgical service line, deputy physician-in-chief, and director of surgical oncology at Northwell Cancer Institute, and work to ensure that the program achieves new heights in excellence and innovation.
“We’re excited to add such an experienced leader in pancreas surgery, someone who has performed a high level with excellent outcomes on the leading edge of pancreatic cancer,” said Dr. Weiss. “The Whipple operation is already performed in high volume both robotically and open at Northwell Health. We’re confident Dr. Cohen will take this program to the next level.”
Prior to joining Northwell, Dr. Cohen served in roles at NYU Langone, from its gastrointestinal cancer management group to general surgery, as well as his involvement in Surgical Oncology NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and NY Harbor VA Health Care System. Over the past five years, he focused extensively on robotic Whipple surgery in the Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery. Dr. Cohen is board certified in general surgery and surgical critical care/trauma by the American Board of Surgery.
“The goal is to convert the more complicated pancreas surgeries to robotic procedures,” said Dr. Cohen. “Robotic pancreas Whipple surgery is preferable because it’s less invasive, there’s less blood loss and patients will experience less pain post-op. The robot allows for a great deal of suturing and stitching, similar to what I can do during an open surgery. And the visual is very impressive since you can see it in 3D. Additionally, the patient’s hospital stay will be shorter, and they’ll experience a slightly shorter healing process.”
Dr. Cohen received a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Arizona. He went on to earn his medical degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his postdoctoral training, residencies and internships at Brookdale University Hospital in Brooklyn.
In recognition of his achievement in the field of robotic pancreas surgery, Dr. Cohen received the Mentor, Resident Grant Award from the American Pancreatic Association. His writings have appeared in such prestigious publications as Annals of Surgery and Pancreas in 2024, Journal of the American College of Surgeons, and the Journal of Surgical Oncology, to name a few.
Dr. Cohen will perform robotic Whipple procedures at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan and South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore.