By Amy Forni, Director of External Communications
02/28/2021
DANBURY, NORWALK, Connecticut, March 1, 2021 — Surgical oncologist Dr. Xiang (Eric) Dong is expanding specialty surgical care as the chief of surgical oncology and hepatobiliary surgery for Nuvance Heath Cancer Institute and vice chair of surgery at Norwalk Hospital.
Dr. Dong uses his surgical expertise to treat complex cancers, including colon, esophageal, gastric, liver, and pancreatic cancer. He enjoys being a part of a multidisciplinary team working together to help patients with cancer.
Dr. Dong, who specializes in robotic surgery, said he was drawn to Nuvance Health because of the range of services and personal care available to patients at Danbury Hospital’s Praxair Cancer Center and Norwalk Hospital’s C. Anthony and Jean Whittingham Cancer Center.
“I was excited to join Nuvance Health because of the innovative cancer treatments we can offer to patients in a community setting,” said Dr. Dong. “We also have great support staff, including dietitians, genetic counselors, nurse navigators, social workers and more who work closely with patients during all stages of treatment and recovery.”
Dr. Dong completed a clinical fellowship in surgical oncology at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA. He earned his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, NC, and a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering with minors in chemistry and economics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA.
When Dr. Dong went to medical school, he knew he wanted to be a cancer surgeon because he was interested in the many innovations in oncologic care. During his medical training, he participated in immunology research at Duke University School of Medicine, where he met his wife — an immunologist.
Before joining Nuvance Health, Dr. Dong served as associate director of surgical oncology and cancer liaison physician at Westchester Medical Center Health Network in NY, and director of surgical oncology and cancer liaison physician at Stamford Health in Stamford, CT.
In addition to caring for his patients, Dr. Dong is passionate about teaching and serves as associate clinical professor of surgery at New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. He is involved in several research projects focusing on epidemiology, robotic surgical procedures, and the relationship between microRNAs and cancer growth.
Dr. Dong is a member of several professional associations, including the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology, and the Society of Robotic Surgery. For 10 consecutive years, he has received the Castle Connolly Top Doctors award for the New York Metro area.
When he is not seeing patients, Dr. Dong enjoys traveling, long-distance running, and spending time with his wife and teenage son. Dr. Dong has run marathons on every continent except South America.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dong at Danbury Hospital or Norwalk Hospital, please call (203) 852-3137.
Learn more about cancer care at the Danbury Hospital Praxair Cancer Center and Norwalk Hospital C. Anthony and Jean Whittingham Cancer Center.
CONTACT
Amy Forni, Manager, Public Relations
(203) 739-7478 | Amy.Forni@nuvancehealth.org