General Info

Paul Strombom, MD, is a board-certified colorectal surgeon. He specializes in the treatment of colon, rectal and anal cancers, as well as tumors of the appendix and small bowel, hernias, anal fissures and fistulas, gallbladder disease, diverticulitis, appendicitis and hemorrhoids. While in college, Dr. Strombom considered a career in math or engineering. But after taking a biology course, he decided to pursue a medical degree. In an anatomy class during his first year at Tufts University School of Medicine, he knew he wanted to become a surgeon. “I really liked the hands-on approach to care with surgery,” he says. Before joining Northwell in 2019, Dr. Strombom completed his general surgery residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel ? Petrie Division, a colorectal surgery fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Florida and a colorectal surgical oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. During his training, he coauthored several papers on surgical and nonsurgical treatments for colon and rectal cancer. Dr. Strombom provides personalized, team-based care to his patients. “We're all very close-knit and work well together across different specialties like surgery, medical oncology and gastroenterology,” he says, adding that this collaborative model means patients can often get in to see subspecialists quickly. He also works closely with his patients to fully prepare them for surgery. For example, they may need physical therapy, nutrition counseling or help with smoking cessation before a procedure. Dedicated to best practices and techniques for minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Strombom is well-versed in performing laparoscopic and robotic-assisted procedures. He is the chair of the cancer committee at Northwell Health Cancer Institute at Phelps Hospital and works with the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer to conduct quality improvement projects that enhance patient care. He is also a member of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Focusing on the whole patient is one of the most important aspects of Dr. Strombom’s work. “I address people’s underlying health problems, their mobility and physical function, and any social or family issues that may impact their overall well-being,” he says. “I strive to have a complete picture of the patient, so together, we achieve better outcomes.”