Reflections on Caring: Close Encounters

What happens when a renowned pathologist and founding educator at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell suddenly finds himself on the other side of the exam table? In this powerful episode of Nurse to Health, hosts Dr. Bob Gluck and Dr. Kareem Nugdalla sit down with Dr. David Elkowitz for an intimate conversation about his extraordinary journey from physician to cancer patient—and back to thriving advocate and mentor. Diagnosed with a rare, aggressive thymic carcinoma on the heels of his 50th birthday, Dr. Elkowitz faced uncertain odds and underwent grueling treatments including multiple cycles of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. He continued teaching and lecturing throughout, buoyed by the incredible support of his students, colleagues, and his faith. After nine months cancer-free, a recurrence appeared around the one-year mark—alongside a separate primary colon cancer. His dedicated care team coordinated a comprehensive plan to address both. Dr. Elkowitz shares raw insights on empathy in medicine, the power of multidisciplinary care, and why he’s giving back—through student scholarships and support for a new lecture series for newly diagnosed patients led by his oncologist, Dr. Nagashree Seetharamu. This episode is a moving reminder of resilience, gratitude, and the human side of healthcare. Don’t miss Dr. Elkowitz’s story of becoming a “grateful cancer patient” and the lessons that transformed his life and career.