Rockin’ Docs: Four Surgeons Embrace Music

Cell Division, a band that features four Monmouth County surgeons, plays to raise money for good causes around the state.

These days, it’s common for doctors to practice together—but not the way four Monmouth County surgeons practice when they hang up their stethoscopes. Their practice gets loud—and you can dance to it.

The surgeons—specialists in limb reattachment, nerve re-construction, hand, neck, head and breast procedures—are partners at the Institute for Advanced Reconstruction and the Plastic Surgery Center, both in Shrewsbury. Their band, Cell Division, has won two straight doctor-themed Battle of the Bands, raising thousands for charity. 

The band features three guitarists: Dr. Matthew Kaufman, a plastic surgeon specializing in head and neck procedures; Dr. Michael Rose, a neuropathy specialist; and Dr. Andrew Elkwood, a plastic surgeon specializing in nerve reconstruction. The fourth member, Dr. Jonathan Weiswasser, a vascular surgeon, provides the backbeat on drums. Their repertoire includes rock chestnuts from the Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Who.

At one recent event, Cell Division raised about $20,000 for the Cancer Support Community in Eatontown. “Most hospital events tend to be black-tie and stuffy,” says Elkwood. “This was more like a fraternity party. A lot of people are reliving their college days, including us.”

None of the four claim to be adept at vocals—“I sing,” says Elkwood, “but only when there’s a shower involved”—so they bring in a lead vocalist for their shows, such as Antonella Barba, a former American Idol contestant and local draw from Point Pleasant. They’ve also enlisted Earl Slick, a world-class guitarist best known for playing with David Bowie.

“Earl knows he’s better than we are,” says Rose. “But he doesn’t care one lick. He’s there for the charity.”
Cell Division concerts bring together 40-somethings, friends and family, patients and their spouses. “Everyone is going crazy, dancing and cheering,” says Rose.

“We have a lot of breast-reconstruction patients who would love to show their breast reconstructions at our events, but we have a strict rule about that,” says Elkwood, only half in jest. “We are all serious but we’re all lighthearted.”

Given their demanding medical practices, finding time for musical practice is tough. “We practice just enough,” says Rose, “that we don’t make a fool out of ourselves.”

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