Several
years ago, a Queens physician that takes care of patients at Long Island Jewish
Forest Hills hospital suddenly had sharp pains in his abdomen. He quickly went
to his colleague doctors and found out that he had acute appendicitis which
required urgent surgery and was rushed to the operating room. However, the best
surgeon he knew was not in the hospital.
He refused to consent for surgery because he would only allow himself to
be operated by one surgeon. The only problem was that this surgeon was on a
plane traveling back from a vacation and didn’t land yet. He called the surgeon
as he was landing and said he rather wait for his surgeon friend to come to the
hospital. Of course, this surgeon came straight from the airport and went
straight to the operating room to care for his colleague friend. This surgeon is
Dr. Moises Marcos Tenembaum, the Director of Clinical Development in the
Department of Surgery at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills.
There
are so many stories like this of Dr. Tenembaum because of the immense trust from
not only the patients and community, but also from his colleagues and hospital
workers. Irving Kirsch, a famous American psychologist, and professor at the
Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center said, «Patients
who trust their doctors and have a psychological expectation of getting better
could trigger a reaction in their body». Dr. Tenembaum has cultivated this
trust by years of delivering the highest quality care and simply «making
himself available». He truly exemplifies what it means to be a patient advocate,
an excellent surgeon, but also a very humble and kind man. Throughout his career, he has elevated patient
care and well-being to be the priority in his practice. He always listens to
his patients' concerns, takes the time to explain treatment options thoroughly,
and ensures they really understand the decisions to make regarding their health,
especially during very scary situations. He is professional, soft-spoken, and
always has a smile to share with everyone and anyone.
In the
operating room, Dr. Tenembaum’s surgical skills and diligence allow for the best
possible outcomes for his patients. He is held in high regard within the Forest
Hills, Queens community, and particularly within the Bukharian Jewish
community. His positive impact on patients' lives and commitment to improve the
medical experience have earned him many accolades and recognitions. Beyond his
surgical practice, Dr. Tenembaum actively participates in community health programs
and advocates for equal healthcare access. His involvement in promoting
preventive health and addressing healthcare disparities further reflects his
commitment to being a patient advocate on a bigger scale. Looking at Dr.
Tenembaum’s journey to where he is today is an incredible story and gives
insight into why he is a beloved member of our hospital and Queens community.
Dr.
Tenembaum grew up in Rosario, Argentina, where he had a passion for science and
a deep curiosity about medicine. He studied at the University of Buenos Aires,
one of Argentina's most prestigious educational institutions, and then pursued
becoming a doctor in General Surgery. He came to New York and completed his
surgical residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center, a renowned institution known
for its excellence in medical training and patient care. During his residency, he
learned many surgical specialties and achieved American Board Certification in
Surgery.
After
completing his surgical residency, Dr. Tenembaum established his own surgical
practice and maintained hospital affiliation at Mount Sinai Medical Center for
over 20 years. In 2001, Dr. Tenembaum came to Forest Hills, a vibrant, diverse
community, giving him the opportunity to serve a wider range of patients with
various medical needs. He relocated his private practice to Forest Hills and
became the Chair of Surgery at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, which was
called «North Shore University Hospital at Forest Hills» at that time. He is
known by our team members as «Dr. T.» He has since developed his legacy as a
dedicated surgeon, patient advocate, and supporter of specialized programs,
even holding the unique distinction of being the first surgeon to perform a
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Queens. He now serves as the Director of
Surgical Clinical Program Development at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills, where
he has been an instrumental part of building our surgical programs. Our surgery
department has expanded tremendously over the years, including robotic surgery,
bariatric surgery, surgical oncology, spine surgery, urology, bloodless
surgery, thoracic surgery, advanced colorectal surgery, endoscopy, and many
more. We have
new talented surgeons, physician assistants, and surgical teams that also support
the expanding surgical programs.
As we
celebrate our 70th anniversary serving the Queens community this year, we
cannot tell the story of Long Island Jewish Forest Hills without Dr. Tenembaum.
He is an important part of the history of our hospital, our team members, and
the community we serve. His contributions at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills
have helped shape the hospital's reputation for excellence and compassion,
making Long Island Jewish Forest Hills a trusted healthcare institution within
the Queens, New York area. As we look ahead, Dr. Tenembaum’s legacy in patient
advocacy and surgical excellence will continue to shape the surgical landscape
and inspire others to prioritize patient well-being in their medical practices
and continue to raise the health of the Bukharian Jewish community, Queens, and
beyond.
Elana Yusupova
Dr. Isabella Park
Alex Thomas
