Services: Breast Surgeon

Location:
New York Breast Health
1010 Northern Blvd
Great Neck, NY 11020

Biography

Dr. Dwight Carlton De Risi is the first trained surgical oncologist on Long Island specializing in diseases of the breast. Having treated tens of thousands of patients over the years, Dr. De Risi has remained a leader in his field, introducing and popularizing cutting edge surgical and diagnostic techniques in our community.  Some of these have included mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, partial mastectomy with oncoplastic internal rotational flap reconstruction, lumpectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy, marginal biopsies, and skin and nipple sparing mastectomy. He assisted in introducing breast MRI in the community, mammosite brachytherapy, the HALO procedure for evaluation of nipple duct fluid, and cryoablation of tumors. Many of these have become standards of care.

Growing up on Long Island, he attended Seton Hall University, received his doctorate from Georgetown University School of Medicine, and did his four year surgical residency and year chief-ship training at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY.  In addition, he completed a one year fellowship in Pathology and received his graduate surgical oncology fellowship degree from Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY, America’s first cancer institute and the first in the United States to be accredited by the Society of Surgical Oncology.   He obtained his board certification in general surgery and continues practicing in the Great Neck area.

Through the efforts of his loyal patients, Dr. De Risi has created a not for profit support group called Lean On Me Breast Cancer Networks Inc.  Since its inception, over seventy volunteers have help guide and comfort, one on one, several thousand newly diagnosed breast cancer patients through their journey from diagnosis and treatment to wellness.  In addition, the volunteers fit patients receiving chemotherapy with free wigs, and mastectomy patients with free bras.  Free support groups conducted by a social worker, are available for patients who are interested in group therapy.  Free education seminars and wellness retreats are available for all patients to attend.  Several exciting and enjoyable fund raising events are planned throughout the year, helping patients realize the importance of living each day to its fullest.

Dr. De Risi is a member of many prestigious organizations including the American College of Surgeons, The American Medical Association, The Society of Surgical Oncology, The American Society of Clinical Oncology, and The American Society of Breast Disease.  Dr. De Risi has been recognized and honored for his accomplishments by several organizations including Seton Hall Pre Medical Honor Society Alpha Epsilon Delta, The Georgetown School of Medicine Radiology Award, The Sass Foundation for Medical Research three times, including Honoree of the year, the Gerry Trunz and the Dorothy Allen Award, The Beth C. Tortolani Breast Cancer Foundation, The New York College for Wholistic Health, Education and Research, Glen Cove C.A.R.E.S., The Lean On Me Breast cancer Network Inc., the prestigious Networking Magazine Man of the Year David Awards, NOW (Nassau Organization for Women), and North Shore University Hospital at Glen Cove in their efforts to be recognized as a leader in the community to facilitate in diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases.  In addition Dr. De Risi received the Gay Stoddard Award from the Susan G. Komen of Greater New York, Honoree Islanders “Hockey Fights Cancer,” The National Congressional Committee Leadership Award and Honorary Co-Chairman President’s Advisory Board Award, The American Cancer Society as an outstanding community leader in his field of expertise, The Physician Liaison (CPL) Outstanding Performance Award from the American College of Surgeon, Commission on Cancer, and The Healing Award at the first and second Long Island Breast Cancer Summit.

Dr. De Risi is known in the community for his compassion for his patients and late office hours. He is very grateful to his amazing office staff and thankful to his colleagues, and dedicated patients for their love and ongoing dedication.

His joy in life, as a proud grandfather, is his family. He attributes his continued success to the love, understanding and support from his wife Donna, and his four children Darren, Drew, Dara and Deirdre. When asked what his professional goals is, “to help rid this dreaded disease called breast cancer,” which he believes is a reality in the not so distant future.