As an endocrine surgeon, my elective practice is restricted to the management of patients with benign and cancerous conditions affecting the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands. I strongly believe in multidisciplinary, team-based care for patients whose conditions are complex, and in personalized, efficient care for those whose conditions are less involved. In total, I perform about 350 thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal operations per year.
I chose this field because I was inspired by amazing mentors. The operations can be challenging and demand patience, meticulousness and attention to detail. Patients almost always do great, and are very pleased with their outcomes. The science behind endocrine tumors is fascinating. Success in this field requires close collaboration with endocrinologists, primary care doctors, radiologists, pathologists and many other professionals, all of whom I enjoy working with.
It is a tremendous honor, responsibility, and privilege to be entrusted with the care of others. As such, I strive to ensure that my patients are treated as I would expect to be treated myself – with respect, expertise, candor, and compassion.
Conditions I Treat
- Thyroid cancer
- Parathyroid cancer
- Adrenal cancer
- Thyroid nodules
- Hyperthyroidism
- Graves' disease
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Adrenal nodules
- Pheochromocytoma
Professional Background
Jacob Moalem, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Endocrinology, was recruited to the University of Rochester in 2008 to establish a program in Endocrine Surgery and to elevate the level of care that patients with benign and malignant conditions of the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands receive.
Born in Jerusalem, Israel, Dr. Moalem received his Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees from the University at Buffalo and his Medical Degree from SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, NY. He developed an interest in Endocrine Surgery during his residency at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Jersey, where he also served as the Executive Chief Resident and became engaged in leadership roles nationally. He then pursued further subspecialty training during a premier Endocrine Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), under the mentorship of Dr. Orlo Clark, one of the founding figures in the field.
Dr. Moalem's clinical activity is focused on the multidisciplinary management of cancerous and benign conditions of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands. He brings expertise in minimally invasive thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy, in addition to laparoscopic and retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy. His elective clinical practice focuses exclusively on these operations, and he performs more than 350 operations per year.
Beyond his direct clinical activity, Dr. Moalem has also made significant academic contributions. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters, and has presented his research at many national meetings. He has been on the teaching faculty of several national Endocrine Surgery Courses, as well. Locally, he frequently lectures and teaches medical students, residents, nurses and other physicians and surgeons on topics related to Endocrine Surgery and the operations in which he specializes.
Certified by the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Moalem is also licensed in the states of New Jersey and California. He is a very active member of several professional organizations including the American College of Surgeons (ACS), where he has chaired the membership committee of the Resident and Associates' Society (RAS), and subsequently served as Chair of RAS. He is a board member for several important ACS committees, and was recently appointed as Chair of the Young Fellows' Association. He is also quite active within the American Medical Association (AMA), where he Chairs the Young Physician's Caucus, and serves as a Delegate representing the ACS. He is a recent recipient of the American Medical Association' s Foundation Award.
Dr. Moalem has also been recognized as a leader closer to home. At the University of Rochester, he has received many important honors and awards, including the Chief Residents' Teaching Award, the iCare 'Bronze Star' award (twice) and the Patient and Family Centered Care Top Performers Award (twice). Most recently, he was elected as one of two faculty inductees from the University to Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society. Dr. Moalem is also very active in a number of community organizations, and is a proud father of 3 small children who are the joys of his life.