We continue our series of profiles of Reckner Healthcare Panel members with Dr. Michael Rotkowitz. He shared his thoughts about practicing medicine, music, and the benefits of participating in healthcare market research.
Dr. Michael I. Rotkowitz is a Board Certified Hematologist and Medical Oncologist who just began a new position at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Health in Washington Township, N.J. This appointment follows positions at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and Comprehensive Cancer and Hematology Specialists, P.C.
On a personal note…
Dr. Rotkowitz has a strong connection to his patients through his personal experience; he lost his mother to cancer and his father, who subsequently passed, was a cancer survivor. “My ability to relieve suffering and optimize outcomes is incredibly important to me in adding days to patients’ lives, but more so, life to patients’ days,” he shared.
Dr. Rotkowitz enriches his own life through music, to which he draws a deep connection with medicine. “Music and medicine have many overlapping principles and both are instruments of healing to the mind, body, and spirit,” he said.
“In both the appreciation of music and in my love for medicine, listening remains my most important strength. My passion for both will involve a lifetime of education, inspiration, improvisation, and practice. Both medicine and music possess the power to heal and the ability to relieve pain. They both celebrate the harmonies of existence. As music provides the soundtrack of all human life, medicine remains the foundation that sustains it,” he continued.
On healthcare market research…
“Being a community hematologist and medical oncologist is difficult because you have to stay on the pulse of all updates and innovation in an ever evolving complex and diverse field of malignant hematology and medical oncology,” he said. “Taking part in healthcare and market research studies allows you to stay on the pulse of future updates and clinical data while also allowing you the opportunity for your ideas and insights to be heard,” he added.
Dr. Rotkowitz acknowledges that while the ability to earn accessory income and be compensated for one’s time and ideas is meaningful, he also believes that market research is quite engaging and allows one’s thoughts, concerns, and interests to be welcomed and appreciated. In his words, participating in market research offers “a voice and/or therapy to stress your concerns and share how you truly feel about issues related to the field. I feel rewarded to be able to be proactive in expressing ideas and thoughts that may implement some real positive change.”
Dr. Rotkowitz is particularly complimentary about working with Reckner Healthcare Surveys. “Reckner studies are always incredibly engaging, rewarding and allow me to be truthful in expressing concerns, thoughts, and feelings about a diversity of topics and products in the marketplace. I like the personal touch that Reckner provides as they have dedicated employees for particular studies and they are very meticulous about scheduling and following up,” he said.
“I feel assured that the enrolling and execution of these surveys will be incredibly efficient and allow me to plan my schedule accordingly. I also greatly appreciate the diversity of topics within the field of hematology and oncology that are available through Reckner,” he concluded.
Speaking on behalf of the Reckner Healthcare team, Vice President Jason Gamber said, “All of us at Reckner would like to congratulate Dr. Rotkowitz on his new position at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Health. We have appreciated his input over the past years and look forward to his ongoing participation as a member of our trusted Healthcare Panel.”
More about Dr. Rotkowitz…
In his new position Dr. Rotkowitz plans to focus on treating thoracic oncology but will be “seeing patients of all tumor etiologies and both benign and malignant hematology,” he stated. He believes that this will allow great partnerships with the academic team at Jefferson’s main campus in Center City Philadelphia. He also continues to be interested in alternative therapies and palliative care medicine.
Dr. Rotkowitz received his undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware and attended medical school at St. George’s University in St. George’s, Grenada. After graduating in 2005, he completed his post graduate training St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center (Internal Medicine Residency Program and SUNY Downstate Medical Center (Hematology/Oncology Fellowship).
He has held various teaching positions since 2008 and is currently Clinical Assistant Instructor at the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. He has authored several publications and given lectures to medical students and at medical conferences.
In addition to practicing medicine and playing the trumpet, Dr. Rotkowitz has twin boys (turning two in July) and a miniature poodle named Rocco. He is an avid fan of the New York Mets and New York Jets. His interests include travel, spending time with family and friends, and seeing live music.