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.

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. 2013 - 2015

Internship, Internal Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center. 2012 - 2013

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

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 January 2014 (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 June 14 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 April 16 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 September 2 Epub 09/02/2020.

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 April 17 Epub 04/17/2020.

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 March 24 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.. 2019 December 30 Epub 12/30/2019.

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 March 8 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

During this visit, did this provider spend enough time with you?

5.0

During this visit, did this provider show respect for what you had to say?

5.0

During this visit, did this provider give you easy to understand information about these health questions or concerns?

5.0

During this visit, did this provider listen carefully to you?

5.0

During this visit, did this provider explain things in a way that was easy to understand?

5.0

Patient Comments

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