General Info

Bhuvanesh Singh, MD, is surgical director of the Skin Cancer Program at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute. A board-certified otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon with extensive experience in oncological and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Singh joined Northwell in September 2024. Prior to Northwell, Dr. Singh was a professor and attending surgeon at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. He earned his medical degree at SUNY Health Science Center and a PhD in medial molecular biology from the Netherlands Cancer Institute. Dr. Singh has developed novel surgical approaches that improve cure rates while decreasing side effects. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Singh is actively involved in research to advance the field in a way that benefits patients. He's published over 190 articles in major journals, is a co-editor of two medical textbooks, and has received numerous research grants. Currently, a compound he's developed related to a cancer gene is being utilized by a pharmaceutical company and is likely to go into clinical trials.All of my training is built around the type of care I want to deliver and the connections I want to create with my patients, says Dr. Singh. Clearly, providing the best medical treatment is essential for cancer, but for me, care is about making sure patients are emotionally healthy and feel supported. The mental aspect of cancer can be just as challenging as the physical changes.To ensure that patients focus on wellbeing, Dr. Singh uses an approach built on humor, and often kicks off consultations by making jokes. He might say that it's his first day as a doctor or that he's never done a procedure before, but I watched one on YouTube last night, so how hard can it be? despite having performed almost 10,000 operations in his 27 years as a surgeon. Making patients feel at ease through laughter builds trust, he says, and helps patients become active participants in their own treatment. He sees his patients as part of the whole team involved in their care. We have such an incredible health team here where everyone contributes to care, so bringing the patient on to that team is empowering for them.Everything I do is about enhancing cancer care for patients, and giving them more options, he says. Whether that's through research or some well-timed jokes, it's all about lowering their stress and supporting their emotional wellbeing. I try to plant seeds of hope, so they believe in their care as much as I do.