By Ajay Ghosh
Sumul N. Raval, M.D., D.AB.P.N, a leading neuro-oncologist at Monmouth Medical Center and Community Medical Center, both RWJBarnabas Health facilities, recently earned a prestigious international award for providing state-of-the-art treatment to people with brain tumors.
Dr. Raval was presented with the GBM Heroes Award (Glioblastoma Multiforme) during the 21st Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology held in Scottsdale, Arizona organized by CURE® magazine. The honor recognizes individuals who have dedicated their lives to helping patients with GBM and their families, according to CURE® magazine. This year’s conference drew 3,600 Neuro-Oncologists, Neuro-Surgeons, Radiation Oncologists, Neuro-Radiologists and Scientists from 55 countries, and is the most comprehensive neuro-oncology meeting in the world.
A board-certified neurologist who completed fellowship training in neuro-oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Raval is among only 200 physicians nationwide who are fellowship-trained in the highly specialized field of neuro-oncology.
“This is an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime honor,” says Dr. Raval, noting the global recognition is especially rare for a doctor at a community hospital. “I am humbled and grateful to receive this award.”
Robert Braun, vice president of cancer services for RWJBarnabas Health, says that Dr. Raval is very deserving of this honor. “Dr. Raval has earned national recognition for participating in clinical trials to advance knowledge about treatment options for brain tumors, and his research has been published in peer-reviewed medical journals and also presented at national meetings of the American Society for Clinical Oncology,” he says. “We are so fortunate to be able to offer his expert care to our patients and their families.”
Dr. Raval “is one of the few neuro-oncologists who brings world-class care to families in their own backyard,” notes CURE, a renowned cancer magazine with nearly 1 million readers.
Dr. Raval is founder and director of the David S. Zocchi Brain Tumor Center at Monmouth Medical Center – New Jersey’s first and most comprehensive facility specializing in brain tumors – in an effort to bring leading-edge care to the local community. Today, the program draws patients from across the country and as far away as Sweden, Russia, Venezuela, Turkey and India.
In addition, Dr. Raval is a staff neuro-oncologist at Community Medical Center, where he also holds a leadership role as incoming treasurer of the medical staff. A diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, he is president of Garden State Neurology & Neuro-Oncology, with offices located in West Long Branch and Toms River.
Judy Zocchi, whose late husband was treated by Dr. Raval, nominated him for the honor. “He always is a support in spirit, financially and personally… No matter how busy his schedule is, if you are a brain tumor patient, he will make the time, no matter what.”
Dr. Raval also is a chairman of Board of trustees and past president of the Monmouth and Ocean County Chapter of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (MOCAAPI). Dr. Raval has received numerous awards for his efforts including “The Jersey Choice Top Doctors in New Jersey” by New Jersey Monthly for the past four years.
An authority on brain tumors, Dr. Raval is a speaker, fundraiser, physician and most importantly a compassionate humanitarian.
