For Drs. Stavros Christoudias and Farshad Mansouri, the key to a successful practice is simple: put the patient first. These surgeons treat a wide array of issues, including colorectal, surgical oncology, hernia, gallbladder disease, and advanced laparoscopic procedures.

Dr. Christoudias, medical director for the Holy Name Institute for Wound Healing and Hackensack Meridian Health UMC, has expertise in hernia surgery and carries on his father’s technique of doing abdominal wall reconstruction for complex ventral hernias. He also uses a long-lasting local anesthetic after inguinal hernia surgery. “The nerves that feel pain are numbed for three days,” he says. “Patients can walk, but feel no pain. This has revolutionized hernia surgery recovery by almost eliminating the need for postoperative narcotics.”

Dr. Mansouri, chief of the division of general surgery at HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley, focuses on colorectal issues, from diverticulitis to colon cancer. Using laparoscopic and robotic techniques, he strives to minimize pain and recovery time for each patient. “We see patients during a very tough time in their lives,” says Dr. Mansouri. “We focus on getting them through it with the best care possible.”

“Everyone in our practice, from the office staff to the surgeons, puts the patients first,” says Dr. Christoudias. “We are not employed by a corporation and are only beholden to one person: the patient.”

HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck; The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood; HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley, Westwood; Chilton Medical Center, Pompton Plains, Hackensack Meridian Health UMC.

MEDICAL TRAINING: Dr. Christoudias: UMDNJ (MD); Morristown Memorial Hospital (internship, residency). Dr. Mansouri: St. George’s University (MD); SUNY at Buffalo General Medical Center (residency, colorectal fellowship).