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Dr. Shanel Bhagwandin

Dr. Shanel Bhagwandin, DO, MPH

Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Shanel Bhagwandin is a surgical oncologist at Jupiter Medical Center in Florida. He specializes in gastrointestinal cancers, including peritoneal mesothelioma. His relaxed and compassionate demeanor helps his patients trust his multidisciplinary approach to care. Learn more about Dr. Bhagwandin and get our help connecting with him today.

or call (866) 608-8933

Overview

About Dr. Shanel Bhagwandin

Dr. Shanel Bhagwandin is a medical oncologist and the medical director of the Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology Program at Jupiter Medical Center. He is board-certified in both general surgery and complex general surgical oncology.

Dr. Bhagwandin is dedicated to equipping his patients with the health literacy they need to advocate for themselves. He believes in a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment. Having multiple experts treat the patient is crucial because of the many ways the disease can present and spread through the body.

One of Dr. Bhagwandin’s specializations is cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal mesothelioma. Cytoreduction surgery with HIPEC has been shown to greatly improve the life expectancies of peritoneal mesothelioma patients, with many living for 5-10 years or more after this treatment.

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Dr. Bhagwandin’s Background

Dr. Bhagwandin obtained his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania. He then completed his internship at the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.

From there, Dr. Bhagwandin moved to the University of Illinois at Chicago for his residency, followed by a fellowship at the Ichan School of Medicine. He is a former assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine Department of Surgery.

He’s also a member of several professional organizations, including:

  • American College of Surgery (ACS)
  • Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA)
  • Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO)

Dr. Bhagwandin’s Current Work

Dr. Bhagwandin currently treats patients at Jupiter Medical Center in Florida. Because this hospital partners with highly skilled surgeons, it has twice been listed as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal Care and America’s 100 Best Hospitals for General Surgery.

Like many surgical oncologists, Dr. Bhagwandin’s work involves partnerships with other specialists and experts within the medical center’s oncology program.

“My interests and training are solidified by the collaborative relationships we have with multiple specialties, such as medical oncology, radiation oncology, and therapeutic interventional radiologists,” he states. “Through this complex approach to oncology care, I am challenged by the patients referred to us following a devastatingly new diagnosis of cancer with hopes of a cure.”

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Dr. Bhagwandin’s Healing Philosophy

Dr. Bhagwandin believes that surgical oncologists should be informative and comforting to their patients, which is why he strives to be kind and nonjudgmental with every patient he treats.

He considers this approach to be especially important when first meeting patients who have been diagnosed with cancer.

“When patients are referred to a surgical oncologist, there has been very little opportunity for them to accept a recent cancer diagnosis.

The denial, the rationalization of blame — compounded by any attempt to explain to their loved ones what may be going on — is only about to become even more complicated.

I firmly believe it’s important to take a step back, recognize there is a person in front of you, and address any obvious misconceptions before proceeding.”

- Dr. Shanel Bhagwandin

He takes his time to carefully discuss how aggressive mesothelioma is and which treatments he feels would be best.

Depending on the conversation with the individual patient, they may decide it’s better to start with chemotherapy or radiation to shrink the tumor or kill cells that have split off before undergoing surgery. Alternatively, they may choose to start with cytoreduction with HIPEC.

Connect With Dr. Bhagwandin and Other Specialists

If you’ve been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, you may be eligible for treatments that can help you live longer with fewer symptoms.

We can help you connect with Dr. Bhagwandin and other top mesothelioma surgeons who perform the cytoreduction with HIPEC procedure.

Try our Free Doctor Match program today to get started.

Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Dr. Shanel Bhagwandin, DO, MPH. Any contact information listed is for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. Shanel Bhagwandin, DO, MPH directly.

Jenna TozziWritten by:

Director of Patient Advocacy

Jenna Tozzi, RN, is the Director of Patient Advocacy at Mesothelioma Hope. With more than 15 years of experience as an adult and pediatric oncology nurse navigator, Jenna provides exceptional guidance and support to mesothelioma patients and their loved ones. Jenna has been featured in Oncology Nursing News and is a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators & the American Nurses Association.

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References
  1. Jupiter Medical Center. “Shanel Bhagwandin, DO, FACS,MPH, Medical Director Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology Program.” Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://www.jupitermed.com/find-a-physician/shanel-bhagwandin-do-facs-mph/

  2. LinkedIn. “Shanel Bhagwandin.” Retrieved February 12, 2024, from https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanelbb

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