Cancers Treated:
Specializing In:
- Robotic and minimally invasive colorectal surgery
- Complex and recurrent colorectal cancer
- Locally advanced and metastatic colorectal cancer
- Multivisceral cancer resections
- Sphincter-preserving rectal cancer surgery
- Colorectal cancer survivorship and quality-of-life optimization
- Diverticular disease surgery
- Inflammatory bowel disease surgery
- Ostomy creation and reversal
- Complex abdominal wall and parastomal hernia reconstruction
- Intraoperative Radiation (IORT), Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), and fluorescence imaging (ICG)
Research Interests:
- Colorectal cancer outcomes and quality improvement
- Rectal cancer treatment optimization and organ preservation strategies
- Robotic and minimally invasive surgical techniques
- Goal-concordant cancer care and shared decision-making
- Advance care planning in oncology
- Value-based cancer care delivery
- Surgical quality, patient safety, and healthcare outcomes
- Cancer care transitions and supportive care integration
- Clinical pathway development and implementation
- Health services research and healthcare innovation
Biography
I am a board-certified surgeon and surgical oncologist at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, where I serve as Chief of Colorectal Surgery, Vice Chair of Surgical Oncology, Chief Value Officer, Vice President of Value-Based Programs, and Co-Director of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program.
My clinical practice focuses on the treatment of colon and rectal cancer, advanced gastrointestinal malignancies, and complex colorectal diseases. I specialize in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques and have performed more than 1,000 robotic cancer operations. Each year, our team treats hundreds of patients with colorectal cancer, including more than 100 patients with rectal cancer.
I am committed to providing highly specialized cancer treatment while ensuring that every patient’s care aligns with their individual goals, values, and quality of life. Whether pursuing curative treatment, long-term disease control, or supportive care, I believe the best outcomes are achieved through shared decision-making, compassionate communication, and a personalized approach to care.
In addition to my clinical practice, I lead institutional initiatives focused on quality, patient experience, value-based care, transitions of care, and goal-concordant cancer care. I serve on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines Panels for Colon, Rectal, Anal, Appendix, and Small Bowel Cancers, helping to develop nationally recognized standards of cancer care. I also collaborate with regional and national healthcare partners, payers, employers, and policymakers to advance innovative care models that improve outcomes, enhance the patient experience, expand access to care, and increase the value of cancer treatment.
My goal is to combine surgical excellence, innovation, and personalized care to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes while preserving their quality of life.
Positions
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Chief Value Officer
- Vice President of Value-Based Programs
- Associate Professor of Oncology
- Chief, Colorectal Surgery
- Vice Chair, Surgical Oncology
- Vice Chair, Quality and Safety – Department of Surgical Oncology
State
- Clinical Instructor
Background
Education and Training
- 2025 - MBA - Creighton University Heider College of Business, Omaha, NE
- MD - Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel
Residency
- General Surgery Resident, New York Hospital Queens / New York Presbyterian Hospital, Flushing, NY
- Chief Surgical Resident, New York Hospital Queens / New York Presbyterian Hospital, Flushing, NY
Fellowship
- Surgical Oncology Fellow, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY
Board Certification
- American Board of Surgery
Professional Memberships
- American College of Surgeons (ACS)
- Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO)
- American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
- American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS)
Clinical Trials
Featured on CancerTalk
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Publications
- Interpreting the Evidence on Neoadjuvant Treatment of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: In Reply to Yim and Colleagues. Al-Sukhni E, Gabriel E, Attwood K, Kukar M, Nurkin SJ, Hochwald SN. J Am Coll Surg. 2017 May;224(5):997-998. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2017.01.045. No abstract available. PMID: 28449936 Similar articles Select item 28437313
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Noncolorectal Surgery?: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Major Abdominal Surgery. Visioni A, Shah R, Gabriel E, Attwood K, Kukar M, Nurkin S. Ann Surg. 2017 Apr 21. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000002267. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 28437313 Similar articles Select item 28433254
- Does adjuvant therapy improve overall survival for stage IA/B pancreatic adenocarcinoma? Ostapoff KT, Gabriel E, Attwood K, Kuvshinoff BW, Nurkin SJ, Hochwald SN. HPB (Oxford). 2017 Apr 19. pii: S1365-182X(17)30528-2. doi: 10.1016/j.hpb.2017.03.002. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 28433254 Similar articles Select item 28420585
- Adjuvant Chemotherapy Is Associated With Improved Overall Survival in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer After Achievement of a Pathologic Complete Response to Chemoradiation. Shahab D, Gabriel E, Attwood K, Ma WW, Francescutti V, Nurkin S, Boland PM. Clin Colorectal Cancer. 2017 Mar 18. pii: S1533-0028(16)30271-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clcc.2017.03.005. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 28420585 Similar articles Select item 28275037
- National Disparities in Surgical Approach to T1 Rectal Cancer and Impact on Outcomes. Gabriel E, Thirunavukarasu P, Al-Sukhni E, Attwood K, Nurkin SJ. Am Surg. 2016 Nov 1;82(11):1080-1091. PMID: 28206935 Similar articles