October 9, 2020 – Richmond University Medical Center has announced the appointment of Alex Barkan, MD, MBA, FACS, FASMBS, as its new Vice Chair for the Department of Surgery. Dr. Barkan has been a leading surgeon at the hospital since 2018.
“Dr. Barkan has been performing successful, cutting-edge surgical procedures since his arrival,” president and chief executive officer, Daniel J. Messina, PhD, FACHE, said. “His expertise in robotic surgery, as well as bariatric procedures, has led to life changing, positive outcomes for hundreds of his patients. His skills and experience have helped position Richmond University Medical Center as one of the leading hospitals in New York City for the effective use of robotic surgical technology, and as the source for people seeking the latest procedures and treatments in the field of weight loss surgery.”
In his new role as vice chair, Dr. Barkan will assume an administrative and quality improvement role within the department of surgery, including the monitoring of surgical processes and patient satisfaction. “I want to thank the administration at Richmond University Medical Center for their support and for their vision of continuously looking for opportunities to improve and develop the hospital and its services to their full potential,” Dr. Barkan said. “It will be exciting to be more involved in all the endeavors that build off of the hospital’s rich history as we create a bright future that addresses the increasing the health care needs of Staten Island and its surrounding communities.”
Dr. Barkan received his medical degree from St. George’s School of Medicine in Grenada, and did his surgical training at both Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, and Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. He completed his bariatric and minimally invasive surgery fellowships in Princeton, NJ and at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He has performed thousands of bariatric surgery procedures since entering the field in 2006.
He joined Richmond University Medical Center in August 2018 as Chief of Bariatric Surgery, and as Director of the hospital’s comprehensive Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, which he created. For those struggling with obesity, the center provides a diverse range of surgical services, including sleeve-gastrostomy and gastric bypass, all provided by a highly trained and experienced medical staff. Dr. Barkan is also the Associate Program Director of Richmond University Medical Center’s bariatric and minimally invasive surgery fellowship program.
