Michael Jonathan Schwartz, MD

Michael J. Schwartz, MD, is chief of urology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and director of robotic and laparoscopic surgery for the Smith Institute of Urology at Northwell.Dr. Schwartz specializes in minimally invasive procedures to treat prostate cancer. He has vast experience in robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy, evolving surgical techniques over time to minimize treatment-related side effects. For qualifying prostate cancer patients, Dr. Schwartz also offers focal ablation therapies, using sophisticated image guidance and focal tissue ablation to eradicate prostate cancer with few side effects. He has additional expertise in urologic oncology and surgery to treat kidney, bladder, adrenal and testicular cancers.Becoming a doctor always felt natural to me, Dr. Schwartz says. I was always interested in helping others, and urology is a wonderful blend of both medical and surgical care, allowing for the development of long-term relationships with my patients.Dr. Schwartz earned his medical degree from Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and pursued his residency training in urology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell. He received his fellowship training in advanced laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center.Dr. Schwartz values a team-based approach to care, working with radiologists, pathologists and medical oncologists to create individualized, evidence-based treatment plans. He also carefully listens to patients to meet their unique goals and preferences.In addition to treating prostate cancer, Dr. Schwartz is a pioneer in prostate cancer diagnosis. He was an early adopter of transperineal biopsy-which eliminates the infection risk associated with the prior transrectal method-and helped the Smith Institute of Urology transition over into using that approach. His research focuses on both diagnostics and treatment of prostate cancer, and he is involved with several clinical trials for focal therapy. He is a member of the American Urological Association and Society of Urologic Oncology, and is residency program director for urology at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.For Dr. Schwartz, one of the best parts of his job is getting to know his patients. I have the privilege of seeing their humanity, learning about their lives and discovering what's important to them, he says. Their experiences inspire me every day.