Erik Kockenmeister, MD, joined Northwell Health as an attending physician in 2020, after doing both his residency and a fellowship at Northwell. He specializes in hematology, and medical oncology, with a particular focus on lung and gastrointestinal conditions, and is also assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Growing up in Riverhead, he was always drawn to both science and helping others, so medicine seemed like a natural fit, leading to graduation from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. All of his advisors were hematologists and oncologists, which gave Dr. Kockenmeister exposure to those specialties and the fast pace of treatment innovation. "The way these fields are changing constantly is very exciting," he says. "Where we are today is so different than 30 years ago, and where we'll likely be 30 years from now. We're getting better and better at delivering treatments that are more effective with fewer side effects. I feel fortunate to see cutting-edge medicine up close." What will never change is the need for compassionate, shared decision making with patients, he adds, noting that oncologists need to be a guiding light for patients and their families through every cancer journey. "Communication is key," he says. "So much of this care is about education and discussion, and I treat my patients like they're family or close friends. Since I grew up here, this has always been my community, and that makes providing care here even more meaningful to me." Another aspect that Dr. Kockenmeister appreciates is Northwell's multidisciplinary and collaborative approach, which he says offers patients a focused care plan put together with a team of professionals and specialists. Not only does that ensure input from a breadth of care providers, but it also means patients can have everything they need in one place, with more time for recovery, thanks to fewer appointments in multiple locations. Dr. Kockenmeister anticipates making a greater impact on quality of care through research and is particularly interested in improving tolerability of chemotherapy. He enjoys spending each day listening to patients and their needs. "There is nothing better in the world than to wake up every day and be able to make a difference for people," he says. "My patients teach me how to maintain the right priorities."