Academic Department Chairs

Mark D. Schlesinger, M.D.
Chair, Department of Anesthesiology

Dr. Schlesinger is currently the Chairperson of the Department of Anesthesiology at HUMC (HUMC) in Hackensack, New Jersey. Dr. Schlesinger has served on several HUMC committees including the Board of Governors, the Board of Trustees, and the Medical Board.

Joseph Underwood, M.D., MHCDS, FACEP
Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine

Joseph P. Underwood, M.D., MHCDS serves as Chair of Emergency Medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center, the flagship hospital of Hackensack Meridian Health, a leading not-for-profit health care organization in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research, and life-enhancing care . Dr. Underwood also serves as Professor and Chair of Emergency Medicine at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

Robin O. Winter, MD, MMM
Chair, Department of Family Medicine

Dr. Winter has been Director of the JFK Family Medicine Residency Program since 1989. After receiving a BA from Haverford College and a medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Winter did his Family Medicine Residency at Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington, New Jersey.

Laurie Jacobs, M.D., FACP, AGSF
Chair, Department of Internal Medicine

Dr. Jacobs joined Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and Hackensack Meridian Health as Chair and Professor of Medicine in September 2016. She continues to teach and practice geriatrics in addition to her leadership role.

Stanley R. Terlecky, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Medical Sciences

Dr. Terlecky is a biomedical researcher, entrepreneur, and educator. His research interests focus on the peroxisome – an intracellular organelle of critical importance in human health, disease, and aging. Dr. Terlecky is an awarded teacher of graduate and medical students – who has lectured extensively on topics in cell biology, biochemistry, and pharmacology.

Florian P. Thomas, M.D., MA, Ph.D., M.S.
Chair, Department of Neurology

Dr. Thomas is the Chair of the Neuroscience Institute and interim Chair of the Department of Neurology at HackensackUMC, as well as Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center and the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation Center of Excellence.

Patrick Roth, M.D.
Chair, Department of Neurosurgery

Dr. Roth is the Chairperson of the Department of Neurosurgery at HUMC and is a board certified neurosurgeon and founding member of North Jersey Brain and Spine Center. He serves as co-director of the Division of Spinal Surgery and is the site director of the neurosurgical residency program.

Manuel Alvarez, MD
Chair, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Science

Dr. Manuel Alvarez has been Chairperson of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hackensack University Medical Center since 1996. Following residency training in anesthesiology, obstetrics and gynecology, maternal fetal medicine and critical care medicine, Dr. Alvarez found his passion in providing obstetrical care to women.

Andre Goy, M.D., M.S.
Chair, Department of Oncology

Andre Goy, M.D., M.S., is Chairperson and director, chief of Lymphoma, and director of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research at the John Theurer Cancer Center at HackensackUMC, a member of Hackensack Meridian Health.

Yair David Kissin, MD, FAAOS
Interim Chair, Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Yair David Kissin, M.D., is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and in sports medicine, with a specific interest in conditions of the knee. He serves as Vice Chairperson of the department of orthopedic surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Brian Benson, M.D., FACS
Chair, Department of Otolaryngology

Brian Benson, MD is the Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and the Acting Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Ciaran M. Mannion, M.D.
Chair, Department of Pathology

Dr. Mannion is the Chair of the Pathology Department at HUMC. He is certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology, with added qualification in Cytopathology.

Harpreet Pall, M.D., MBA, CPE
Chair, Department of Pediatrics

Dr. Pall is Chair and Professor of the Department of Pediatrics at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. He completed his medical degree from McGill University and pediatrics residency from Memorial University in Canada.

Sara Cuccurullo, MD
Chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Dr. Sara Cuccurullo received her medical degree from SUNY Downstate in 1987 and completed her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ)/JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. She was board certified in 1992.

Gary Small, M.D.
Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Gary Small, MD, is Chair of Psychiatry, Hackensack University Medical Center, Behavioral Health
Physician-in-Chief and the Hovnanian Family Foundation Chair, Hackensack Meridian Health, as well as
Chair and Professor of Psychiatry at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

George Ferrone, M.D.
Chair, Department of Radiology

Dr. Ferrone graduated from Boston College where he majored in Mathematics and received his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University. He completed his internship at St. Joseph’s Hospital followed by a diagnostic radiology residency at Albany Medical College.

Howard Ross, M.D.
Chair, Department of Surgery

Howard Ross Howard Ross, M.D., holds the M. Martin Ross Distinguished Chair in Surgery at the Hackensack University Medical Center where he is also Surgeon-in-Chief. Howard is a passionate educator and a nationally recognized colon and rectal surgeon with more than 20 years of experience.

Michael D. Stifelman, M.D.
Chair, Department of Urology

He is an internationally recognized pioneer and leader in robotic urologic oncology and upper tract urinary reconstructive surgery. He has pioneered over a dozen minimally invasive surgeries; is an invited lecturer and guest surgeon in 16 different countries spanning six continents; has published 186 peer-reviewed articles and abstracts, 20 invited reviews/book chapters and 32 surgical technique videos; and is recognized by Castle Connolly as one of the Best Doctors of America, Best Cancer Doctors, Best Doctors in the New York Metro Area, and New York Magazine’s Best Doctors.

Donna Wexler
Administrative Assistant II
Academic Department Chairs
Donna.Wexler@hmhn.org