The New Paradigm for Breast Care
Montclair Breast Center is a multidisciplinary facility which includes physicians dedicated to breast imaging as well as breast surgeons. Emphasis is placed on well breast care through education, risk-reduction and surveillance. Montclair Breast Center provides routine yearly screening mammograms as well as diagnostic mammography and breast physical exams for all women. Breast ultrasound is used liberally for screening and diagnosis. Minimally invasive biopsy techniques are available on site and can be performed at one visit. On-site genetic testing and MRI are available. Early detection and treatment of breast cancer is carried out with a caring collaborative effort treating the whole patient.
One of the first Fellowship-trained breast surgeons in the United States, Dr. Elliott started her Montclair practice in 1989. She completed training in breast disease at UMDNJ/Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. She received her medical degree from Mount Sinai Medical Center and completed a general surgery residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital, in New York City. Dr. Elliott graduated with honors from Barnard College, Columbia University.
Dr. Elliott is well known not only for medical expertise in the field of breast disease evaluation and treatment, but particularly for her sensitivity and commitment to her patients. She has been honored by the New Jersey General Assembly and Montclair Economic Development Council as “Outstanding Woman of the Year in Science,” for her distinction as the founder and director of the Montclair Breast Center and as a “superlative physician who exemplifies the spirit of caring and compassion.”
Dr. Elliott lectures extensively on breast cancer to professional and public groups and has had numerous appearances on national TV as a breast cancer specialist. She is a member of many professional societies including the President’s Council of the National Breast Cancer Coalition and a member of the New York Metropolitan Breast Cancer Group.
She received the “Luster for Life” Award at the 32nd Annual American Cancer Society’s Diamond Ball and was voted “Top Doc” by her peers in NJ Monthly magazine. She was also named a 2014 and 2017 “Top Doc” in Montclair Magazine.
“I can envision a time when women will no longer fear breast cancer; when prevention, early detection, and treatment will be painless, stress-free and 100% effective. Creating the Montclair Breast Center is my way of turning this vision into reality.”
“Exceptional care and loved the NEW abbreviated MRI that’s just 10 minutes and a fraction of the cost! As Dr Elliott says, ‘Everyone needs a breast doctor’ and I am so glad to have her and her team as mine! Schedule YOUR annual examination today!” – 10/13/2019
“Year after year, I am amazed by Montclair Breast Center. Dr Elliott is my hero. She sets such high standards for herself, her colleagues and staff… always staying ahead of holistic and comprehensive breast care with new modalities and technologies, new trends in supportive care, a unique focus on the mind/body connection, etc. I have a personal history that makes every visit full of anxiety, but the outstanding practice eases the entire process from start to finish.” – 1/30/2019
Dr. Lee came to the Montclair Breast Center in 2003 from the staff of Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center where she completed a Fellowship in Breast Imaging and was then appointed Clinical Assistant Radiologist.
A native of New Jersey, Dr. Lee grew up in Tenafly, graduated with honors from Wellesley College in Massachusetts and earned her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She completed her residency in Diagnostic Radiology at the Montefiore Medical Center and then went on to specialize in breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Lee has authored numerous articles in the Radiology literature and during her fellowship year, she received the Radiologic Society of North America Fellow Research Award in recognition of outstanding fellows in radiologic research. Dr. Lee has also contributed authoring a chapter in the textbook Breast MRI, Diagnosis and Intervention, 2005.
Her expertise in Breast Imaging, particularly MRI of the Breast, maintains the extraordinarily high level of breast care our patients receive. Our patients enjoy sitting with Dr. Lee and having their studies explained in a calm, reassuring manner. In fact, she was named both a “Top Doc” by Montclair Magazine and “The Face of Early Detection” in Morris/Essex Health & Life in 2016.
Dr. Lee currently resides in her hometown of Tenafly, NJ with her twin daughters and husband.
“I enjoy being part of this unique multidisciplinary center and giving top-notch breast care to the women of New Jersey.”
“Dr. Lee knows her stuff! She is thorough and knowledgeable and always takes the time to address my concerns. I recommend her, as I recommend ALL the staff at Montclair Breast Center, without reservation.” – 11/23/2019
“Dr. Lee was thorough and because of this proved that the MBC is successful in early detection. She is caring and honest in reporting results. A true professional!” – 8/21/2019
Dr. Ameri joined Montclair Breast Center from RWJ Barnabas Health, where she worked as a breast imager. She completed a fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA in 2017.
She graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology, receiving a Bachelor of Engineering with Honors in Biomedical Engineering. She received her medical degree from American University of the Caribbean and completed her residency at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. During her studies, she earned multiple awards including Outstanding Radiology Teacher and Outstanding Achievement in Medical Student Research.
Dr. Ameri is has been featured in numerous research publications, including a 2018 Imaging textbook.
Dr. Amy Kathryn “Katie” White completed the prestigious Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Brooklyn Breast Cancer Program, Maimonides Medical Center. The Cancer Program treats over 600 breast cancers per year and sees over 7,000 breast surgery visits. The Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship emphasizes multidisciplinary care and is involved in nationally recognized research.
Prior to her fellowship, she completed her General Surgery Residency at Carepoint Health, Bayonne Medical Center in New Jersey where she was appointed Chief Surgical Resident 2018-2020. She obtained her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and a Bachelors of Biomedical Science from Troy University in Alabama in 2010.
Dr. White joins Montclair Breast Center’s world-class team in caring for high-risk and breast cancer patients. She is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons and is published in the field of breast cancer surgery and MRI-directed breast biopsy. Her areas of special interest include high-risk genetics and the treatment of young women with breast cancer.
“Knowledge is the cornerstone to shared decision making when treating patients. My goal is to make sure every patient understands quality and accurate information pertaining to breast health maintenance, breast cancer prevention, or breast cancer treatment. The breast health journey is one we take together, hand in hand, doctor and patient.”
Dr. Elissa J. Santoro received her medical degree from the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. Her general surgical residency was completed at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in New York City where she was the first woman to be Chief Surgical Resident. An American Cancer Society Clinical Fellowship was awarded to her at Saint Vincent’s Hospital. She received fellowship in Cancer Training from the National Institute of Health at New York Medical College. Dr. Santoro was the founder of the Breast Care and Treatment Center in Livingston, NJ.
A pioneer in breast surgery, Dr. Santoro has exclusively dedicated her practice to breast surgical oncology since 1976. Dr. Santoro is a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery. She maintains memberships in several professional societies and has held various positions, including: chairman of the New Jersey Division of the American Cancer Society; president of the NJ American Cancer Society; chairwoman of the Essex County American Cancer Society; medical advisor to Research and Recovery, Post-Mastectomy Program, NJ American Cancer Society; Board of Trustees, College of Saint Elizabeth; Medical Advisory Board of the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation. Member of the American Society of Oncology (ASCO) since 1973.
Dr. Santoro has also appeared on several televised educational programs regarding breast health issues. She has written and co-authored numerous publications related to breast diseases and treatments. Dr. Santoro has worked with New Jersey state legislators to develop a Women’s Health Department and increased funds for Breast Cancer Research. She also received the First Annual Christine Todd Whitman’s Award for Outstanding Woman in the field of Medicine. Dr. Santoro is consistently named as one of the “Top Doctors” in the New York Metropolitan Area by the Castle Connolly Group and is listed in the International Who’s Who of Professionals.
Dr. Nabila Hai joins Montclair Breast Center from the breast imaging team at the Radiology Associates of Ridgewood/Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ
As a native of New Jersey, Dr. Hai grew up in Marlboro before venturing to Washington, DC to complete her undergraduate and medical degrees in the accelerated Integrated Engineering and Medicine Program at the George Washington University. She continued her post graduate training in residency with the Radiology Department at the George Washington University Hospital where she was appointed to Chief Resident in her senior year. She then pursued her Breast Imaging fellowship at the esteemed University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Dr. Hai describes her career in breast imaging as the culmination of all her life-long passions: women’s health, biomedical engineering, interpretation of diagnostic imaging, and direct and thorough patient care and counseling. Her expertise in the field is highly recognized amongst her patients and peers in the professional community, earning her many accolades, including “Top Doctor” with the International Association of Radiologists.
Dr. Hai resides in Upper Saddle River, NJ, with her husband, two sons, and Shih tzu.
Kruti McDonald is a nationally certified physician assistant who started working in the field in 2003. To earn her degree, she completed a competitive 3+3 program, completing three years of her undergraduate degree at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in New Brunswick and three years of her graduate degree at UMDNJ SHRP program in Piscataway, NJ.
After starting her career in General Surgery at Morristown Memorial Hospital Kruti found a home with women’s care. She worked at the Connie Dwyer Breast Center in NJ for 5 years and then at the Comprehensive Breast Center in NY.
As a favor to a friend, Kruti started working per diem in the Emergency Department. It wasn’t long before she was offered a full-time position which she could not refuse. After spending many years in the ED, Kruti realized her true passion was to work with breast care.
Since leaving the Emergency Department, Kruti joined Dr. Elliott and the team at Montclair Breast Center. She is honored to be part of such a great group of women who dedicate themselves to their patients.
“I hope to be an advocate for the patient and help them reduce their risk and make what could be a frightening situation pleasant.”
“Professional, experienced, concerned, caring and everything a medical staff should be. Everyone makes you feel like an active participant in your visit. From receptionist, to the mammogram by Maria, to the results explained by Dr. Quackenbush, to the best breast exam I have ever had by Kruti McDonald, to the checkout. Thank you! I am so happy you are back in network. I feel I am back in good hands again and I too am a medical professional. Highly recommended!” – 8/9/2019
