Biography
A fast paced, intellectually challenging environment where substantial and positive changes are made in peoples’ lives attracted Dr. Savoca to surgery. His greatest thrill in practicing surgery is meeting people from all walks of life and seeing how similar they really are.
Dr. Savoca was a music major at Albany State University, receiving a BA, magna cum laude in 1980. He completed his medical training at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. where he earned his medical degree in 1985. He completed his general surgical training at Yale University School of Medicine where he was also a Research Fellow in Yale’s Gastrointestinal Surgical Research Group. Dr. Savoca completed a colorectal surgery fellowship at the University of Minnesota in 1992 and passed the examination for Board Certification on the first attempt in 1993. After spending a year practicing in North Carolina, he spent 19 years in suburban Washington D.C., where he was consistently named a “Top Doctor by Washingtonian magazine. While there he served as Associate Professor of Surgery at the Inova Campus of VCU School of Medicine in Fairfax, Va. was active in teaching residents the art of surgery and developed one of the busiest clinical practices in the region. Currently, he is a member of the Colorectal Surgery Program of Catholic Health Services of Long Island practicing at Saint Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown, NY and St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, NY
Dr. Savoca specializes in minimally invasive colorectal surgery particularly as it applies to the treatment of cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) which causes less postoperative pain and allows patients to enjoy a quicker return to full activity. As well, he has maintained active interest in pelvic floor problems and benign anorectal conditions. He holds certifications from the National Board of Medical Examiners, the American Board of Surgery, and the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. He is frequently called upon to render expert testimony in legal cases involving colorectal surgery.
Dr. Savoca continues his interest in classical music. A classically trained pianist and avid opera fan, he frequently attends classical concerts and serves as accompanist for his four children all of whom are aspiring vocalists. A second generation American whose grandparents emigrated from southern Italy, Dr. Savoca maintains a strong interest in Italian language and culture, is fluent in the language and enjoys frequent trips to Italy with his family to practice the language.
Congratulations to Dr. Paul Savoca for being named in Washingtonian Magazine’s 2014 TOP DOCTORS!