Former Roman and Rome Free Academy graduate, Dr. David Wayne Chitty, specializes in managing blood cancers with the goal of helping patients through what is often among the most difficult times in their lives.

Chitty is a medical oncologist at the Monter Cancer Center in New Hyde Park, where he specializes in managing blood cancers, including acute and chronic leukemias and multiple myeloma. He uses chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other targeted medications to achieve the best possible outcomes for his patients.

Chitty said he views his approach to treatment planning as a team effort that actively involves patients, their families and each member of the medical team.

“Our clinical team takes the time to educate people about their disease and all their treatment options in a way they can fully understand,” Chitty said. “This way, patients and their caregivers feel that they are well informed to make the best decisions regarding their cancer care.”

He said, “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve admired doctors’ and nurses’ ability to alleviate suffering and heal those close to me when they were sick. I thought it must be a great job to be able to help someone feel better during the more difficult times of their life, and I knew I had to do that.”

In line with that goal, after completing a master’s degree in cellular and molecular medicine at the University of Ottawa in Canada, he earned his medical degree at the Nova Southeastern University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. This was followed by internal medicine residency training at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, and a hematology/oncology fellowship at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, which included two years of translational research training at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

The treatments Dr. Chitty offers are rooted in evidence-based medicine and the latest available data on the management of blood cancers.

“During my undergraduate training, I developed a strong interest in biomedical research,” Chitty said. “Each discovery has the potential to impact so many lives, and this concept continues to drive me to be both a clinician and a researcher.”

Currently his primary research interests include developing new and improving existing technologies to better detect and characterize residual disease.

“Technology improvements in this space will enhance our ability to monitor patients during and after treatment while providing important information on how to treat residual cancer cells that may be resistant to conventional therapies,” he said.

In addition, Chitty has been instrumental in conducting research to determine which cancer treatment regimens make patients, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, more susceptible to viral infections and disease such as COVID-19.

At Monter Cancer Center, Chitty offers compassionate, collaborative care. He works with pathologists, radiologists, other medical oncologists, pain medicine specialists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and social workers to ensure patients receive personalized treatment plans and support. Chitty’s insights and research in the fields of medicine and oncology have been published in various peer-reviewed journals. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society.

Chitty said the best part of his work is the relationships he develops with people. Chitty and his team work closely with patients, their families and caregivers throughout the treatment process.

“I cherish the ability to develop meaningful relationships and share life experiences while providing care,” he said. “As cancer care providers, we often feel like an extension of our patient’s family.”

Chitty has board certifications in internal medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine and medical oncology from the American Board of IM/Medical Oncology. He is also assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.