As of April 19, 2026, Dr. Melissa D. Fana is a leading breast surgical oncologist and director of women’s health in Suffolk County, New York. There are no reports of her passing; she is actively practicing and recently marked several major professional milestones.
Current Professional Status
Dr. Fana is currently serving in a high-level leadership capacity within the NYU Langone Health network:
Director of Women’s Health, Suffolk County: Appointed to this role to oversee and expand comprehensive healthcare programs for women in the region.
Chief of Service, Breast Surgery: She leads the breast surgery division at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island (formerly Long Island Community Hospital).
Clinical Assistant Professor: She teaches at the NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, training the next generation of surgeons.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Fana is widely recognized for her patient-centered approach and her expertise in advanced surgical techniques:
Hidden Scar™ Surgery: She specializes in techniques that minimize visible scarring, helping patients maintain their self-image after cancer surgery.
Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy: A specialized procedure that preserves the nipple and surrounding skin for a more natural appearance post-surgery.
Oncoplastic Surgery: Combining cancer removal with plastic surgery techniques to prioritize both health and aesthetic outcomes.
Preserving Fertility: She has been a vocal advocate for discussing fertility preservation with cancer patients before starting treatments like chemotherapy.
Practice Locations
She primarily sees patients at the Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone—Patchogue (100 Hospital Road, Patchogue, NY). She is affiliated with several major hospitals, including:
NYU Langone Hospitals
North Shore University Hospital
Long Island Community Hospital
Background and Philosophy
Dr. Fana has shared that her career path was influenced by her own experience being born with a cleft palate. The care she received from the surgeons who performed her corrective procedures inspired her to dedicate her life to medicine. She is known for her “empathetic and honest” bedside manner and her commitment to providing world-class care locally on Long Island.
Verification: If you are seeing rumors of an obituary, please be aware that these are likely “obituary spam” sites that target high-profile professionals. Official medical and news records confirm that Dr. Fana is active and continuing her work in breast surgical oncology as of today.
