Manhattan Maxillofacial Surgery

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David Hirsch, MD, DDS, is the senior vice president of dental medicine at Northwell and chair of oral and maxillofacial surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital. He is also the chair of dental medicine and oral and maxillofacial surgery at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital.Dr. Hirsch performs surgery to treat people with head and neck tumors and specializes in virtual surgical planning-the use of a patient's imaging scans to create 3D models of the anatomy to plan complex head and neck reconstructions involving the skull and jaw. He developed the groundbreaking "Jaw in a Day" procedure, which includes removing the tumor, grafting new bone into the jaw, reconstructing the jaw and performing dental restoration all at once, rather than in three separate surgeries."My dad was a dentist and had an influence on my career goals," says Dr. Hirsch, a graduate of the NYU College of Dentistry. Because of a strong interest in head and neck anatomy, and an interest in performing complex surgery, he also decided to pursue a medical degree at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. After a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, he completed fellowship training in head and neck surgical oncology at Legacy Emanuel Hospital - Providence Cancer Institute.A team-based approach to care that includes plastic surgeons, maxillofacial prosthodontists-who create prosthetic devices for the jaw-dental specialists, nutritionists and physical therapists is key to ensuring good patient outcomes. Dr. Hirsch encourages his patients to be an active part of the treatment decision-making process. "Everyone we treat gets personalized care," says Dr. Hirsch. "When a patient calls in the middle of the night, I'm the one who answers the phone."In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Hirsch is professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He is also a member of the American Head and Neck Society, a fellow of the American College of Surgeon, and is board-certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery.One of the most valued parts of his job is the relationships he forms with patients. "Because I'm involved in lifesaving treatment, I create strong bonds with people," says Dr. Hirsch. "I get to see patients throughout their lives, and they become like family."