Dr. Schnoll-Sussman is a gastroenterologist and the director of the Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health, a center with Weill Cornell Medicine focused on prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.
She is an expert in using advanced endoscopic technologies — including endoscopic ultrasonography and capsule endoscopy — to evaluate and treat patients with gastrointestinal conditions that include Barrett's esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastrointestinal cancer, and pancreatic disease.
Dr. Schnoll-Sussman is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, with subspecialty certification in gastroenterology.
She serves as an associate attending physician at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, as well an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
Caroline Baron, Castle Connolly’s senior director of strategy, recently presented Dr. Schnoll-Sussman with a commemorative plaque.
“Being recognized by peers I respect so much makes the Top Doctor nomination and award very special, and I would want any of those physicians to care for me or my family members,” Dr. Schnoll-Sussman says. “Being named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor makes me feel like the years of studying and the work I do every day really do make a difference.”
Positive patient experiences, relationships with doctors essential to great care
For Dr. Schnoll-Sussman, the way patients think and feel about their care is virtually as important as the care itself.
“High-quality medical care, the latest research, and cutting-edge facilities are all extraordinarily important – the understood baselines for care. I also think about how patients feel about their experience when they're getting that high-quality care,” she says.
“To me, everything starts and stops with the patient experience. Because even if, for example, we save someone’s life with the newest FDA-approved drug, if that person didn’t feel like the physician and staff really cared, we didn’t provide the care they needed and deserved.”
That whole-person healthcare is based on positive doctor-patient relationships.
“Many patients aren’t feeling well…they're sad or scared or we can't cure their problem,” Dr. Schnoll-Sussman says.
“But we can make every person feel that we care for them every step of the way and that we’re always striving to do better. Taking the opportunity whenever we can to engage with patients on that level — when they trust and are able to hear us — is key.”
“Do your research” to make sense of healthcare“
Navigating the healthcare system can be very challenging for patients because of the overwhelming amount of information they have to process and deal with,” Dr. Schnoll-Sussman says.
“First there may be a diagnosis, which itself can be scary and disabling, and then there are the questions that come with taking the next steps: What kind of doctor do I need to see for this? How do I choose from the many physicians, practices, and institutions out there?”
So how does someone decide? Dr. Schnoll-Sussman tells people to do their research.
“Look for vetted, reputable resources; research physicians and institutions online; ask a doctor you already see for a referral; ask other people about their experiences; see who's endorsed by associations you believe in,” she suggests.
“And keep in mind that you don't always have to go to the biggest institution to get the best care.”
Factors affecting today’s doctor-patient relationships
It’s a significant time in medicine due to several factors, says Dr. Schnoll-Sussman.
“I believe it’s critical for doctors to listen deeply to their patients and try to understand their stories, and I think we’re stripping those things from medicine with the time pressures on physicians,” she says.
“Sometimes patients don't share the most salient parts of their story until they feel like they know you and trust you. How can we develop those types of relationships in 15 minutes? The doctor-patient relationship is absolutely key, and relationships happen over time.”
The expanding use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is another factor impacting physician-patient interactions, says Dr. Schnoll-Sussman.
“AI is phenomenal at sorting through huge databases of information, so I have no doubt that it will continue to play a growing role in patient care,” she says.
“But I think it will start to take away physician face time, which will definitely affect doctor-patient relationships. I love sitting in front of my patients, learning about them, and showing them that I’m a human being.”
