As a dually trained geriatrician and medical oncologist my focus is not only on treating cancer, but the patient as a whole. Every patient no matter their age has individual needs, preferences and goals which I strive to understand so that I am able to provide the highest quality care possible.

Certified Specialties

Geriatric Medicine - American Board of Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine - American Board of Internal Medicine

Medical Oncology - American Board of Internal Medicine

Faculty Appointments

Assistant Professor - Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Hematology & Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center. 2017 - 2019

Fellowship, Geriatric Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center. 2016 - 2017

Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center. 2012 - 2015

Education

MD | Pennsylvania State College of Medicine. 2012

Awards

The Elaine and Irwin Karron Memorial Prize for Excellence in Geriatrics. 2018

BJ Kennedy Award for Best Poster. 2018

Publications

Journal Articles

Barriers to participation in clinical trials of rural older adult cancer survivors: A qualitative study.

Arana-Chicas E, Prisco LMH, Sharma S, Stauffer F, Dauphin S, Ban-Hoefen M, Navarette J, Zittel J, Cupertino AP, Magnuson A, Mustian KM, Mohile SG

The Journal of rural health : official journal of the American Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Care Association.. 2025 January 41 (1):e12852. Epub 06/07/2024.

Geriatric assessment for the practicing clinician: The why, what, and how.

Magnuson A, Loh KP, Stauffer F, Dale W, Gilmore N, Kadambi S, Klepin HD, Kyi K, Lowenstein LM, Phillips T, Ramsdale E, Schiaffino MK, Simmons JF, Williams GR, Zittel J, Mohile S

CA: a cancer journal for clinicians.. 2024 74 (6):496-518. Epub 08/29/2024.

Efficacy of trastuzumab deruxtecan in treating HER2-low breast cancer leptomeningeal metastasis: a case report.

Kharel Z, Stanford S, Hemminger LE, Schmidt T, Hardy SJ, Zittel J, Mohile NA, Dhakal A

Personalized medicine.. 2024 21 (6):335-339. Epub 11/20/2024.

Cancer survivorship challenges of rural older adults: a qualitative study.

Arana-Chicas E, Prisco LMH, Sharma S, Stauffer F, McGee M, Dauphin S, Ban-Hoefen M, Navarette J, Zittel J, Cupertino AP, Magnuson A, Mustian KM, Mohile SG

BMC cancer.. 2023 September 2823 (1):917. Epub 09/28/2023.

The role of self-perceived age in older adults considering adjuvant chemotherapy.

Yilmaz S, Koita F, Zittel J, Wells M, Mohile S, Wittink M, Kelly JM, Sedrak M, DeCaporale-Ryan L, DiGiovanni G, Magnuson A

Journal of geriatric oncology.. 2023 March 14 (2):101429. Epub 01/20/2023.

The relationship between comorbidities and other aging-related conditions among patients with advanced cancer.

Kleckner AS, Culakova E, Uemura T, Zittel J, Burnette BL, Bradley T, Mohile SG

Journal of geriatric oncology.. 2022 September 13 (7):1066-1069. Epub 06/14/2022.

The Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG) infrastructure: The clinical implementation core.

Rosko AE, Steer C, Chien LC, Zittel J, Artz A, Chow S, Plotkin E, Dale W, Elias R, Chapman AE

Journal of geriatric oncology.. 2021 November 12 (8):1164-1165. Epub 04/16/2021.

Older adults with cancer and their caregivers - current landscape and future directions for clinical care.

Kadambi S, Loh KP, Dunne R, Magnuson A, Maggiore R, Zittel J, Flannery M, Inglis J, Gilmore N, Mohamed M, Ramsdale E, Mohile S

Nature reviews. Clinical oncology.. 2020 December 17 (12):742-755. Epub 09/02/2020.

Speeding the dissemination and implementation of geriatric assessment: What we can learn from the business world.

Loh KP, Kaushik R, Mohile SG, Ogie S, Kadambi S, Zittel J, Yousefi-Nooraie R, Moorthi K, Patil A, Sanapala C, Yang S, Ramsdale E

Journal of geriatric oncology.. 2020 September 11 (7):1170-1174. Epub 03/24/2020.

Relationships of self-perceived age with geriatric assessment domains in older adults with cancer.

Loh KP, Duberstein P, Zittel J, Lei L, Culakova E, Xu H, Plumb S, Flannery MA, Magnuson A, Bautista J, Wittink M, Gilmore N, Targia V, Conlin A, Berenberg J, Vogel VG, Mohile SG

Journal of geriatric oncology.. 2020 July 11 (6):1006-1010. Epub 12/30/2019.

Development of a telehealth geriatric assessment model in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

DiGiovanni G, Mousaw K, Lloyd T, Dukelow N, Fitzgerald B, D'Aurizio H, Loh KP, Mohile S, Ramsdale E, Maggiore R, Zittel J, Kadambi S, Magnuson A

Journal of geriatric oncology.. 2020 June 11 (5):761-763. Epub 04/17/2020.

Association Between Symptom Burden and Physical Function in Older Patients with Cancer.

Pandya C, Magnuson A, Flannery M, Zittel J, Duberstein P, Loh KP, Ramsdale E, Gilmore N, Dale W, Mohile SG

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.. 2019 May 67 (5):998-1004. Epub 03/08/2019.

Elucidating the associations between sleep disturbance and depression, fatigue, and pain in older adults with cancer.

Loh KP, Zittel J, Kadambi S, Pandya C, Xu H, Flannery M, Magnuson A, Bautista J, McHugh C, Mustian K, Dale W, Duberstein P, Mohile SG

Journal of geriatric oncology.. 2018 September 9 (5):464-468. Epub 03/03/2018.

Associations of sleep disturbance with physical function and cognition in older adults with cancer.

Loh KP, Pandya C, Zittel J, Kadambi S, Flannery M, Reizine N, Magnuson A, Braganza G, Mustian K, Dale W, Duberstein P, Mohile SG

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer.. 2017 October 25 (10):3161-3169. Epub 04/28/2017.

Mistake noted.

Zittel J

Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges.. 2012 August 87 (8):1090. Epub 1900 01 01.

Books

Geriatric Oncology (2018)

Chapter: Comorbidity in Aging and Cancer

Authors: Ramsdale E.E., Zittel J., Sarfati D

Publisher: Springer 2018

Ratings & Comments

At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information. Learn more about our survey process.

Ratings

Care provider's discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

4.9

Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

4.9

Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

4.9

Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care

4.9

Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

4.9

Patient Comments

5.0

Dr. Zittel was very thorough in explaining my situation and options avaliable

Feb 20, 2025

5.0

Took time to explain.

Feb 08, 2025

5.0

Exceptional care and help in all areas!

Jan 18, 2025

5.0

Dr. Zittel is above excellent

Nov 22, 2024

5.0

Very caring and informative.

Nov 19, 2024

1.0

[...] unorganized, doesn't include my family in decisions, very poor on handling next steps [...]

Nov 12, 2024

5.0

Dr. Zittel was very clear about my treatment

Nov 03, 2024

5.0

The doctor explained my condition clearly and gave me the opportunity to ask questions and gave me a follow up appointment. I was happy with the experience.

Sep 16, 2024

5.0

Once again, excellent, excellent and excellent

Sep 02, 2024

5.0

Very friendly and helpful love the stuff and Doctors

Aug 25, 2024

5.0

Dr. Zittel is above outstanding in his field. [...] day since [...] 2022 has been a blessing to me thanks to Dr. Zittel, Dr. Peyre. And my whole medical team at UR from my primary care staff to my advanced care teams.

Jun 09, 2024

5.0

Very caring

Jun 09, 2024

5.0

Feel very comfortable with any worries or onserns always treated that I can ask any questions

May 26, 2024

5.0

He's remarkable

May 02, 2024

5.0

I hope I never have to recommend a cancer doctor to anyone. Ever. However, show they seek one, Dr. Zittel and his crew are wonderful.

Apr 13, 2024

5.0

Feel very comfortable asking him anything about my health

Mar 13, 2024

5.0

Doctors Zittel has kept me alive when all indications were I wasn't gonna make it. I owe my life to that man and think the world of him.

Feb 18, 2024

5.0

Doctor Zittel was very pleasant and explained everything in terms that I could understand. I completely understand everything he told me and feel very confident going forward with our plan of treatment

Jan 14, 2024

5.0

I think he is amazing and feel very confident and happy with him as my oncologist

Nov 10, 2023

3.4

When we first arrived at the beginning he was abrupt with the bad news, he was better @ giving the needs. I get it but his bedside manner lacked.

Aug 30, 2023

5.0

I have nothing but excellent things to say about Dr. Zittel.

May 17, 2023

Dr. Zittel is caring, compassionate, completely honest and empathetic. I have complete trust in him.

Mar 16, 2023

5.0

I would recommend Dr. Zittel to anyone faced with decisions regarding cancer treatment.He is very intelligent and explains things very well.

Feb 27, 2023

5.0

All perfect and I am very satisfied with all.

Feb 25, 2023

5.0

Better than very good

Jan 29, 2023

5.0

Doctor Zittel talks to me in simple language that I can understand.

Jan 27, 2023

They have been as professional and someone can be!!!

Jan 14, 2023

5.0

Dr. Zittel is the best! When my Cancer Care team was assembled several nurses and techs told me I had the "A" which consisted of Dr. Zittel and Dr. Cummings (radiation oncologist). I have come to believe this and am thankful for both!!!

Dec 22, 2022

Had excellent visit. Doctor listened to our concerns and clearly explained the results of my tests, recommended therapy and answered our questions in terms we understood.

Oct 21, 2022

5.0

Doctor gives it to me straight so I know exactly what to expect from treatment, meds, procedures.

Sep 21, 2022

5.0

A great dr.

Sep 15, 2022

He is very caring and kind and deeply concerned about my welfare!

Aug 18, 2022

5.0

Everything was explained to me about my plan of care. My questions were answered and my concerns were addressed.

Aug 14, 2022

5.0

Dr. Zittel was kind, compassionate, explained things that were easily understood. His job is difficult and he handles it with such kindness. Brenda in his office is absolutely terrific as well!

May 13, 2022

5.0

Provider gave me all option 5 with side effect & answered with good suggestions.

May 11, 2022

Very impressed by both the physician and the nurse practitioner. They both were very approachable, friendly, caring and gave us all the attention we were looking for in this consultation.

Mar 31, 2022