A Multidisciplinary Breast Care Facility in New Jersey
Montclair Breast Center is a multidisciplinary facility which includes physicians dedicated to breast imaging as well as breast surgeons. Emphasis is placed on well breast care through education, risk reduction and surveillance. Montclair Breast Center provides routine yearly screening mammograms as well as diagnostic mammography and breast physical exams for those women who are at increased risk, have a breast symptom, or simply desire an exam in addition to the one performed by their primary physician. Breast ultrasound is used liberally for screening and diagnosis. Minimally invasive biopsy techniques are available on site and can be performed at one visit. Early detection and treatment of breast cancer is carried out with a caring collaborative effort treating the whole patient.
Nancy Elliott, MD FACS
Founder & Director of Montclair Breast Center
Marcie Hertz, MD FACS
Breast Surgeon
Melissa Lee, MD
Director of Breast Imaging
Gail Quackenbush, MD
Radiologist/Breast Imager
Stacey Vitiello, MD
Radiologist/Breast Imager
Founder & Director of Montclair Breast Center
One of the first Fellowship-trained breast surgeons in the United States, Dr. Elliott started her Montclair practice in 1989. She completed training in breast disease at UMDNJ/Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. She received her medical degree from Mount Sinai Medical Center and completed a general surgery residency at St. Vincent's Hospital, in New York City. Dr. Elliott graduated with honors from Barnard College, Columbia University.
Dr. Elliott is well known not only for medical expertise in the field of breast disease evaluation and treatment, but particularly for her sensitivity and commitment to her patients. She has been honored by the New Jersey General Assembly and Montclair Economic Development Council as "Outstanding Woman of the Year in Science," for her distinction as the founder and director of the Montclair Breast Center and as a "superlative physician who exemplifies the spirit of caring and compassion."
Dr. Elliott lectures extensively on breast cancer to professional and public groups and has had numerous appearances on national TV as a breast cancer specialist. She is a member of many professional societies including the President's Council of the National Breast Cancer Coalition and a member of the New York Metropolitan Breast Cancer Group.
She received the "Luster for Life" Award at the 32nd Annual American Cancer Society's Diamond Ball and was voted "Top Doc" by her peers in NJ Monthly magazine. She was also named a "Top Doc" in the September, 2014 Montclair Magazine.
"I can envision a time when women will no longer fear breast cancer; when prevention, early detection and treatment will be painless, stress-free and 100% effective. Creating the Montclair Breast Center is my way of turning this vision into reality."
Breast Surgeon
Dr. Hertz has dedicated herself to the practice of breast surgery since joining Montclair Breast Center in 1994. She received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University where she was elected Phi Beta Kappa, and received her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She completed her residency and chief residency in general surgery at the Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center.
Dr. Hertz's interest in breast diseases began early in her career a young attending surgeon and Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she rose to the position of Director of the Breast Service. Her expertise in breast care is highly regarded, earning her a listing in NJ Magazine's Top Doctors, "Fifty Women You Should Know" and an appearance on "Good Day New York." Dr. Hertz is an author of multiple research publications, and has been involved in medical research on various aspects of breast disease.
"In a brief span, science and technology has transformed the care of women with breast disease, and I believe that because of this progress breast cancer will soon be eliminated as a life threatening disease. Montclair Breast Center is a miraculous melding of advanced technology and clinical experience, applied with empathy and compassion — a setting where we can give each patient the best possible care."
New Jersey Monthly
New Jersey's Top Doctors: Marcie B. Hertz, MD FACS is named in Surgery:
Breast category, November 2009
Director of Breast Imaging and Clinical Breast Radiologist
Dr. Lee came to the Montclair Breast Center in 2003 from the staff of Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center where she completed a Fellowship in Breast Imaging and was then appointed Clinical Assistant Radiologist.
A native of New Jersey, Dr. Lee grew up in Tenafly, graduated with honors from Wellesley College in Massachusetts and earned her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She completed her residency in Diagnostic Radiology at the Montefiore Medical Center and then went on to specialize in breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Lee has authored numerous articles in the Radiology literature and during her fellowship year, she received the Radiologic Society of North America Fellow Research Award in recognition of outstanding fellows in radiologic research. Dr Lee has also contributed authoring a chapter in the textbook Breast MRI, Diagnosis and Intervention, 2005.
Her expertise in Breast Imaging, particularly MRI of the Breast, maintains the extraordinarily high level of breast care our patients receive. Our patients enjoy sitting with Dr. Lee and having their studies explained in calm, reassuring manner.
Dr Lee currently resides in her hometown of Tenafly, NJ with her twin daughters and husband.
"I enjoy being part of this unique multidisciplinary center and giving top-notch breast care to the women of New Jersey."
Radiologist/Breast Imager
Dr. Vitiello completed her Fellowship in Breast Imaging at Yale University, and was presented with the Yale Department of Radiology Fellow of the Year Award in 2000. She served as Chief Resident during her residency in Diagnostic Radiology at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan. Dr. Vitiello has lectured to a wide variety of audiences on topics related to the early detection of breast cancer, and has co-authored a chapter on Breast Ultrasound for a well-known text, Roses' Breast Cancer. She is a member of many professional societies, including the Society of Breast Imaging and the American Society of Breast Diseases.
Her years of clinical experience have honed her expertise in breast MRI, mammography, breast ultrasound, and minimally-invasive needle biopsies, which she now brings to Montclair Breast Center. Her experiences with her patients and their families have resulted in her passionate advocacy for high-quality, individualized screening for all women. She authors a website and blog, www.TheBreastDiaries.com, to share crucial information with a wider audience, and to give women the tools they need to navigate an often confusing, contradictory and impersonal "healthcare system."
Dr. Vitiello has testified before the FDA regarding the issue of breast density, and she is an active advocate for a woman's right to be informed of her breast density. She is a contributor for The Atlantic and www.KevinMD.com, and she has been interviewed for numerous online and print publications, including Family Circle magazine, iVillage, The Huffington Post, USAToday.com, Impowerage, Spry.com, EverydayHealth.com, Imaging Economics, and CureToday.com. She has contributed to a video series for www.TalkAboutHealth.com, and she has been interviewed on NJ 12 to Your Health.
Dr. Vitiello was raised in Harrington Park, NJ. She completed her undergraduate studies at Georgetown University, graduating with honors, and returned to New Jersey to attend medical school at UMDNJ- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Vitiello and her family reside in Hoboken, NJ.
"I am so pleased to be part of a practice in my home state that is a model for excellence in breast healthcare. The personalized approach to medicine practiced here results in a better experience for patients, as well as better outcomes."
Radiologist/Breast Imager
Dr. Gail Quackenbush joins Montclair Breast Center after her most recent appointment as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Radiology at Columbia University Medical Center.
Dr. Quackenbush was born and grew up on the south shore of Long Island and followed family tradition as a third generation graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She graduated top in her class from medical school at UNC. She completed her residency at Cornell Medical Center, and fellowship in breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Her past appointments have included Director of Breast Imaging at Holy Name Hospital and Pascack Valley Hospital. She is well known for her ability to efficiently interpret breast imaging studies and to bring comfort and reassurance to the patients with whom she works.
Coaching Little League baseball, volunteering at a local animal shelter, and working on the Board of the Jacob Marley Foundation (originally established by her late brother Christopher Quackenbush, who was killed on September 11th) are but a few of her passions outside of work. She lives in Tenafly with her three children.
"I know that patients are often scared and worried when they come for their breast imaging, and if I can make them feel more relaxed and the experience a positive one whatever the results, then I know I've done my job well."
