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Memorial Sloan Kettering radiation oncologist Michael Bernstein

Michael B. Bernstein, MD

Radiation Oncologist

My Role at MSK

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Breast Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer & Other Genitourinary Cancers
  • Spine Tumors
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Dr. Bernstein's Office Information
Languages: English

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About Me

What I Do at MSK
  • Medical Director, Strategic Partnerships
Get To Know Me

I am a radiation oncologist who cares for people with a variety of cancers. I have particular expertise in treating breast cancer, head and neck cancer, prostate cancer and other genitourinary cancers, and tumors affecting the brain and central nervous system. I use advanced radiation techniques such as intensity modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to safely and effectively treat these cancers.

My practice is located at MSK Westchester and MSK Nassau. I enjoy delivering the same level of compassionate, expert care to our patients and neighbors in a convenient location.

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Originally, I entered medical school convinced I would pursue a career in orthopedic surgery. However, when I was exposed to the field of radiation oncology, I was drawn to the combination of cutting-edge technological advances, groundbreaking research, and opportunity to develop deep-rooted relationships with patients and families. These were aspects I was always searching for in a career in medicine, and I knew radiation oncology was the perfect fit.

I am interested in the way radiation can work together with other treatments, particularly immunotherapy. During a research fellowship at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, I studied the potential of cancer vaccines to activate the body’s own immune system to attack cancer cells. We often bolstered these therapeutic vaccines with radiation to help strengthen the treatment response.

At MSK, we are working to enhance the effects of immunotherapy by combining it with more advanced forms of radiation therapy, including SRS and proton therapy. We are proud to be able to offer these exciting new therapies to our patients not only at MSK in Manhattan, but also at our regional network locations closer to home.

When patients and their families come to see me for their first visit, they often have a lot of fear about the unknown. Radiation sounds intimidating and can be frightening. My goal is to help alleviate fears and misconceptions by answering all questions, making sure that they have a full understanding of the radiation process, and most importantly, reminding them that I will be with them every step of the way.

I work very closely with my patients’ surgical and medical oncologists to ensure we are all moving forward collaboratively with an effective and safe treatment course. When patients leave their visits, I hope to see them walking out with their heads held high knowing that they have a plan set in place designed with unparalleled attention to detail and care.

My Role at MSK

A radiation oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in using radiation therapy (RT) to treat cancer with radiation.

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Breast Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer & Other Genitourinary Cancers
  • Spine Tumors
  • Bone Metastases
Education & Honors

Education

  • MD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, with special distinction in oncology

Residencies

  • Radiation Oncology – Montefiore Medical Center

Fellowships

  • Radiation Oncology – MD Anderson Cancer Center

Board Certifications

  • Radiation Oncology

Insurance Information

Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.

Aetna

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (MTA and NYC retirees only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Anthem BCBS and other BCBS licensee plans

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

See updates

Anthem BCBS Health Plus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

See updates

Anthem Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO, DSN

See updates

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

See updates

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS

See updates

Carrum Health

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

Cigna

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Connecticare

In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.

Emblem Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage (Medicare Choice PPO Network and VIP Prime Network Only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Empire Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Empire Plan / NYSHIP (Blue Cross/UnitedHealthcare split plan)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

See updates

Fidelis

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

First Health

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Healthfirst

In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

See updates

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

See updates

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier I (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

See updates

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier II (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

See updates

Horizon Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Magnacare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

MVP

In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

In Network Coverage Type
TBD

Oscar

In Network Coverage Type
HMO/EPO

Oxford

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Qualcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

UMR

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS

United Healthcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Don't see your carrier or plan? We can help you understand your coverage.

If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.

If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.

Make an Appointment

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New Patients

Scheduling an appointment is easy. Click or call 800-525-2225— we’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
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Current Patients

Request an appointment by logging on to MyMSK or calling your doctor’s office. If you aren’t registered for MyMSK, call 646-227-2593 for your Enrollment ID.

Contact and Location

Dr. Bernstein sees patients at one location.

Office Phone
Location
Uniondale, NY
Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau
1101 Hempstead Turnpike Uniondale NY 11553
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Colleagues

Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.

See all Radiation Oncology doctors

See all External Beam Radiotherapy Service, Regional Care Network doctors

Clinical Trials

Smiling doctors in the lab
Find a Clinical Trial for You

Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.

You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.

Search clinical trials

Research and Publications

Bernstein MB, Walker K, Gillespie E, Mueller B, Cuaron J, Xu A, McCormick B, Khan A, Cahlon O, Powell S, Braunstein LZ. Bilateral Regional Nodal Irradiation Using Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy: Dosimetric Analysis and Feasibility. Pract Radiat Oncol. 2022 May-Jun;12(3):189-194. doi: 10.1016/j.prro.2021.11.008. Epub 2022 Jan 16. PMID: 35045364; PMCID: PMC9081150.

Lapen K, Sabol C, Tin AL, Lynch K, Kassa A, Mabli X, Ford J, Cha E, Bernstein MB, Braunstein LZ, Cahlon O, Daly BM, Sandler K, McCloskey SA, Vickers AJ, Khan AJ, Gillespie EF. Development and Pilot Implementation of a Remote Monitoring System for Acute Toxicity Using Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2021 Nov 15;111(4):979-991. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.07.1692. Epub 2021 Jul 24. PMID: 34314814; PMCID: PMC8530913.

Boyce-Fappiano D, Gjyshi O, Pezzi TA, Allen PK, Solimman M, Taku N, Bernstein MB, Cabanillas ME, Amini B, Tatsui CE, Rhines LD, Wang XA, Briere TM, Yeboa DN, Bishop AJ, Li J, Ghia AJ. Spine stereotactic radiosurgery for metastatic thyroid cancer: a single-institution experience. J Neurosurg Spine. 2020 Feb 14:1-9. doi: 10.3171/2019.12.SPINE191269. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32059183.

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Bernstein MB, Chang EL, Amini B, Pan H, Cabanillas M, Wang XA, Allen PK, Rhines LD, Tatsui C, Li J, Brown PD, Ghia AJ. Spine Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Patients with Metastatic Thyroid Cancer: Secondary Analysis of Phase I/II Trials. Thyroid. 2016 Sep;26(9):1269-75. doi: 10.1089/thy.2016.0046. Epub 2016 Jul 25. PMID: 27334245.

Bernstein MB, Krishnan S, Hodge JW, Chang JY. Immunotherapy and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (ISABR): a curative approach? Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2016 Aug;13(8):516-24. doi: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2016.30. Epub 2016 Mar 8. PMID: 26951040; PMCID: PMC6053911.

Gameiro SR, Malamas AS, Bernstein MB, Tsang KY, Vassantachart A, Sahoo N, Tailor R, Pidikiti R, Guha CP, Hahn SM, Krishnan S, Hodge JW. Tumor Cells Surviving Exposure to Proton or Photon Radiation Share a Common Immunogenic Modulation Signature, Rendering Them More Sensitive to T Cell-Mediated Killing. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2016 May 1;95(1):120-130. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2016.02.022. Epub 2016 Feb 13. PMID: 27084634; PMCID: PMC4834148.

Sharon E, Polley MY, Bernstein MB, Ahmed M. Immunotherapy and radiation therapy: considerations for successfully combining radiation into the paradigm of immuno-oncology drug development. Radiat Res. 2014 Aug;182(2):252-7. doi: 10.1667/RR13707.1. Epub 2014 Jul 8. PMID: 25003314.

Bernstein MB, Garnett CT, Zhang H, Velcich A, Wattenberg MM, Gameiro SR, Kalnicki S, Hodge JW, Guha C. Radiation-induced modulation of costimulatory and coinhibitory T-cell signaling molecules on human prostate carcinoma cells promotes productive antitumor immune interactions. Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2014 May;29(4):153-61. doi: 10.1089/cbr.2013.1578. Epub 2014 Apr 2. PMID: 24693958; PMCID: PMC4024843.

Kwilas AR, Donahue RN, Bernstein MB, Hodge JW. In the field: exploiting the untapped potential of immunogenic modulation by radiation in combination with immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer. Front Oncol. 2012 Sep 6;2:104. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2012.00104. PMID: 22973551; PMCID: PMC3434425.

Disclosures

Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.

MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.

Michael B. Bernstein discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

No disclosures meeting criteria for time period


If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.

The information published here is a complement to other publicly reported data and is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.

This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2023 through disclosure submission in spring 2024). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.

Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at ecoi@mskcc.org.


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