Bert M. Petersen

Overview
Bert M. Petersen, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S., is the Chief of Breast Surgery and Co-Chief of The Division of Breast Oncology at The Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. He also presides as an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School.

Education and training
Dr. Petersen attended Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, graduating with his B.A. in 1983 and with his medical degree 1987. He then attended his surgical residency at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., followed by a fellowship at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where he specialized in the field of surgical oncology.

Career
Dr. Petersen has previously served as surgical oncologist and director of the Family Risk Program at New York City's Beth Israel Cancer Center. Having also completed a tenure at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Dr. Petersen now serves as co-chief of the Division of Breast Oncology at the Hackensack University Medical Center Cancer Center. It is here that Dr. Petersens is currently conducting research on early cancer detection and breast cancer in African American and Hispanic women. Dr. Petersen holds membership with various cancer related charities, notably sitting on the Board of Trustees for CancerCare, a "national non-profit organization that provides free professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones, and the bereaved." ; as well as holding the position of chairman of the Board of Advisors for the Upper Manhattan office of The American Cancer Society. Until 2003, Dr. Petersen was an acting medical correspondent for WCBS Channel 2 News in New York City.

The Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute
In 2003, Dr. Petersen was designated "Physician Champion" for the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute of the Schneider Regional Medical Center in St. Thomas, USVI, where he also contributed in the role of clinical medical advisor. The Cancer Institute is a 24,000 square foot center that integrates the services of radiation oncology, surgical consultations, clinical research and support services into a single facility. Dr. Petersen has been cited as a primary force behind the Institute.