About Dr. Eisenberg
Dr. Lee Eisenberg graduated from Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, in 1971. He completed his residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, in 1977. He is Board Certified in Otolaryngology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and the American College of Surgeons. In addition, he is a member of the AMA, Bergen County Medical Society, American Rhinological Society and Society of University Otolaryngologists.

He is an associate clinical professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, New York, and The University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, New Jersey. He was recently elected Coordinator of Government Relations for the American Academy of Otolaryngology.

Dr. Eisenberg practices at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center where he is chief of Otolaryngology, and Hackensack Medical Center. His areas of expertise include Pediatric Otolaryngology, Thyroid Surgery, Otology, Sinus Disease, as well as Snoring and Sleep Apnea. He works closely with our expert Audiology staff to provide the most appropriate hearing rehabilitation for hearing loss.

Dr. Eisenberg has received the Special Service Award from the Board of Governors of the AAO-HNS and a Presidential Citation from the Academy for his nationally recognized work in practice management. In 2011 and 2012 he was presented with the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Distinguished Service Award. This prestigious award is given to members in recognition of their contributions to the Academy and its Foundation beyond the level of an Honor Award.

In 1999, 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2008, New York magazine listed Dr. Eisenberg as one of the Best Doctors in New York. He earned his master’s in Health Service Management from the Mailman School of Public Health from Columbia University in October of 2005. Dr. Eisenberg was also the 2008 recipient of the Institute for Nursing APPLE Award.

About ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP
ENT and Allergy has over 170 physicians in 40+ office locations in Westchester, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk counties, New York City and northern/central New Jersey. The practice sees over 70,000 patients per month. Each ENT and Allergy Associates clinical location provides access to a full complement of services, including General Adult and Pediatric ENT, Voice and Swallowing, Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery, Disorders of the Inner Ear and Dizziness, Asthma, Clinical Immunology, Diagnostic Audiology, Hearing Aid dispensing, Sleep and CT Services. ENTA has a clinical alliance with The Mount Sinai Hospital for the treatment of diseases of the head and neck and esophageal cancer, a clinical alliance with the Montefiore Medical Center for the tertiary treatment of pediatric patients in New York City and the Hudson Valley, a clinical alliance with Northwell Health System for the tertiary treatment of pediatric patients in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, and a partnership with the American Cancer Society to educate and treat patients with smoking disorders and cancer. The Practice has also expanded its clinical capabilities to include advanced Immunodeficiency trials. ENT and Allergy Associates Management and Marketing teams have been recognized numerous times with awards and accolades including Health Leaders Media 2011 Top Leadership Team in Healthcare, Top Doctor awards, ACS recognition award, AHAA Audiologist awards, The Westchester County Association Big W Awards and the Healthcare Marketing Report Healthcare Advertising Awards. Visit www.entandallergy.com for more information.

Medical Travel Today (MTT): Give our readers some background on your professional experience.

Dr. Lee Eisenberg (LE): I practice otolaryngology head and neck surgery in Englewood, New Jersey, as founding partner with ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP. Additionally, I am an associate clinical professor of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

In 1977, I completed my residency in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, and in 2005, I received my M.P.H. in Health Care Policy and Management from the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University.

I am a member of the Health and Payment Policy committee, a consultant to the Patient Safety and Quality Committee and a representative of the Academy at the Surgical Quality Alliance of the American College of Surgeons.

Currently, I also serve as the coordinator for Development for the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.

I received two Distinguished Service Awards and a Presidential Citation from the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, as well as the Apple Award from the NJ State Nurses Association.

MTT: Can you tell us about Healing the Children New Jersey (HTCNJ)?

LE:Healing the Children New Jersey is a not-for-profit organization that has been in existence for almost 30 years.

It consists of three different programs, including:

1. Outbound program: Two to four times per year the organization will travel overseas to different countries, i.e.: Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, and depending upon the need of local residents, the specialty providers that participate in the program can include ENT, EYE, Urology, Plastics, Orthopedics or Dental. Occasionally, two different specialty providers will go on the same trip as we just did in the Dominican Republic (ENT/EYE).
2. Inbound program: Children from other countries travel to the U.S. for surgical procedures that are not available to them locally. The children stay with a host family and receive their care at no cost through the generosity of the physicians and hospitals.
3. NJ support: This program is for children who “fall through the cracks,” or who need care that is not typically covered, i.e.: swimming therapy/dance therapy, day camps, etc. These children are generally special needs. Occasionally these children need medical care for a specific problem that is not covered by their state sponsored plan.

MTT: How did Healing the Children New Jersey get involved with the International Surgical Health Initiative (ISHI?)

LE: To my understanding, a student involved with the International Surgical Health Initiative knew an individual involved with Healing the Children New Jersey. ISHI called upon HTCNJ to present, and so we did!

MTT: During your recent trip to La Romana, Dominican Republic, what procedures were performed?

LE: While in the Dominican Republic, the team of providers I traveled with evaluated more than 700 children between the ENT and EYE clinics and performed approximately 125 surgeries, including adenoidectomies, partial tonsillectomies, tympanostomy tube placement, mastoidectomies and removal of neck masses.

Many of the eye procedures included those for strabismus, lacrimal duct dilation and eyelid repairs.

MTT: Are patients directed to follow-up care?

LE: Most of the children do not need follow-up care immediately after surgery, and those that do need follow-up care are operated on earlier in the week. This way, if follow-up care is needed, there is a general surgeon we work with who can treat the patients.

All patients regardless of procedure are seen a year following treatment.

MTT: Who fronts the cost of care?

LE: Since service is provided free of charge to the patients, HTCNJ relies solely on donations for our expenses, although we do receive grants occasionally.

Ninety percent of the money we receive goes towards treatment programs.

Every individual who travels on a medical mission pays their own airline expenses and gives up one week’s vacation time.

MTT: What can our readers expect from Healing the Children New Jersey in the future?

LE: We hope to expand the amount of trips we take each year and increase the New Jersey state care. This, of course, all depends upon our ability to raise more funds.