New York Cancer & Blood Specialists opens new center in East Islip

New York Cancer & Blood Specialists has opened its latest facility in East Islip ahead of a larger expansion plan for Patchogue later this year.

The outpatient medical network, which has 16 locations across Long Island and 42 total across the state, sees around 2 million patient visits a year and 20,000 new cancer patients a year, according to CEO Dr. Jeff Vacirca.

The new building is 6,900 square feet, with 12 exam rooms and 15 infusion chairs and has the ability to administer chemotherapy, IV fluids, iron and antibiotics, Vacirca said.

Dr. Gurmohan Syali, co-chief medical officer of New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, said the center, which opened on Monday, delivers care "close to where you live."

“We believe that cancer care should be accessible, with community doctors,” Syali said. “The goal is to deliver quality care close to home and our purpose in building this center is to provide cutting-edge care for these patients where they’re in their neighborhood.”

The East Islip center replaces the now-shuttered Bay Shore office, which Vacirca said was closed due to its smaller size. The new facility, he said, is larger, with more modern technology and has easier on-site parking. Patients of the Bay Shore center will use the East Islip center.

The center is staffed with hematology and oncology professionals, including NYCBS providers Drs. Karan Josan, Gerry Rubin and Richard Zuniga, a group who ran the Bay Shore office.

“The benefit of coming to our center is that we are right next door to you,” Syali said. “So if you don’t feel well and you don’t want to schlep into the city for two hours to [a hospital] to get seen by somebody.”

Dr. David Eagle, chair of legislative affairs and patient advocacy for the company, said it’s important to have quality care as close to home as possible and that the East Islip location is mainly for infusions and lab work.

“We encourage patients to come in to see us anytime they feel sick,” Eagle said. “They don’t need an appointment.”

The East Islip facility is open Monday through Friday, and patients can visit the Port Jefferson office on the weekends in lieu of going to the ER for dehydration or antibiotics, Syali said.

Vacirca said the group accepts all insurance and aims to see most new patients quickly. He also said that they won’t turn a patient away if they lack coverage. “Our policy for new cancer referrals is to offer patients visits within two working days,” Eagle said.

In 2025 New York Cancer & Blood Specialists was named the No. 1 physician practice for cancer care in New York by Castle Connolly Top Doctors, a health care ranking group that rates doctors and practices in all 50 states.

Vacirca said the group plans to open a large, 40,000-square-foot center in Patchogue this September that will offer OB/GYN, breast surgery, pain physicians and imaging as well as urgent care to augment the organization’s existing Patchogue comprehensive cancer center.