Hackensack Meridian Health Appoints Internationally Renowned Thoracic Surgeon Faiz Y. Bhora, MD, FACS, as Central Region Chair of Surgery

Hackensack MeridianHealth is proud to announce theappointment of thoracic surgeon Faiz Y. Bhora, MD, FACS , as the inaugural Regional Chair ofSurgery for the central region, which includes JFK University Medical Center, Bayshore MedicalCenter, Old Bridge Medical Center and Raritan Bay Medical Center.

Dr. Bhora is an internationally recognized thoracic surgeon, who is an expert at performingcomplex robotic and minimally invasive operations for lung cancer, esophageal cancer,mediastinal tumors and tracheal tumors and stenosis. Prior to joining Hackensack MeridianHealth, he was System Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Director of Thoracic Oncology at NuvanceHealth and Chief of Thoracic and Robotic Surgery in the Mount Sinai Health System.

In addition to providing expert surgical care to patients, Dr. Bhora is actively involved intranslational research- moving basic science discoveries more quickly and efficiently intopractice. Dr. Bhora’s current research is focused on regenerative medicine, including 3-Dbioprinting of the trachea and his research laboratory is considered one of the foremostresearch laboratories in the area of tracheal regeneration. His clinical research focuses oncancer care disparities in lung and esophageal cancer. Dr. Bhora serves as a consultant andscientific advisor to several major biomedical companies and is considered a thought leader insurgical care delivery, surgical innovation, and robotic surgery platforms.

Dr. Bhora is passionate about resident and medical student education. He has mentored over150 residents (several of whom are now thoracic surgeons), 15 post-doctoral fellows and over300 medical students. He continues to mentor thoracic surgeons both in the United States andinternationally.

Dr. Bhora also provides leadershipat a national level to the thoracic surgicalcommunity, as president of the New York General Thoracic Surgical Club (NYGTSC) and pastpresident of the Eastern Cardiothoracic Surgical Society (ECTSS). He is listed annually in themost prestigious best doctor lists such as Castle Connolly America’s Top Doctors, America’s TopSurgeons for Cancer, andNY Magazine Top Doctors.

Dr. Bhora earned his medical degree at Aga Khan University in Pakistan and completed aresidency in general surgery at George Washington University Hospital and thoracic surgeryfellowship at UCLA Medical Center, and an additional fellowship in thoracic surgical oncologyat the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. He is Board Certified in Thoracic and CardiacSurgery.

“I am thrilled to join Hackensack Meridian Health,” said Dr. Bhora. “The opportunity to be apart of the finest health system in New Jersey with a new and innovative affiliated medicalschool was a big draw. The central region of New Jersey has a need for the highest quality ofsurgical care, and we have bold plans to transform both the quality and breadth of surgicalprograms that we will offer to our patients. This, in addition to starting a surgical residencyprogram and helping transform JFK University Medical Center into a true tertiary andquaternary hospital was the impetus for me to join the Hackensack Meridian Team and anopportunity impossible to turn down.”

“Hackensack Meridian Health is a regional leader in high quality surgical care provided byexperts who are skilled in the latest minimally invasive and robotic techniques,” said Todd Way,president, central market, Hackensack Meridian Health. “We are delighted to welcome asurgeon with the expertise and renown as Dr. Bhora as our inaugural Regional Chair of Surgeryand look forward to his leadership to expand our academic footprint as well as access to thelatest surgical techniques and technologies to promote outstanding surgical outcomes for thecommunities we serve.”

About Hackensack Meridian Health

Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is thelargest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering acomplete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. The networkhas 18 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations, which include ambulatory carecenters, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities,ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, rehabilitation centers, urgent carecenters, physician practice locations, and a fitness and wellness center. With more than 35,000team members and 7,000 physicians, Hackensack Meridian Health is a distinguished leader inhealth care philanthropy and committed to the health and well-being of communitiesthroughout New Jersey.

The network’s notable distinctions include having more U.S. News-ranked hospitals than anyother health system in New Jersey, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 2022-23.Hackensack University Medical Center is nationally-ranked by U.S. News & World Report infour specialties, more than any other hospital in New Jersey. Joseph M. Sanzari Children’sHospital at Hackensack University Medical Center, and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital atJersey Shore University Medical Center, are ranked #1 in the state and top 20 in theMid-Atlantic Region by U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-23 Best Children’s Hospital Report.Additionally, their combined nephrology program ranks in the top 50 in the United States. Tolearn more, visitwww.hackensackmeridianhealth.org.