Dr. Stella Lymberis Honored with the Exceptional Woman in Medicine Award

Dr. Stella Lymberis

Dr. Stella Lymberis, Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at NYU Langone Medical Center of the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center has been recognized as an Exceptional Woman in Medicine for 2018 by Castle Connolly, and with the Association of Greek American Professional Women’s award (Woman of the Year) to be celebrated at the 3 West Club on March 28, 2019 (during the event, the organization will also present two scholarships to college students: the Katerina Navab Excellence Tuition Scholarship on Humanities and the Amalia Colombos Excellence Tuition Scholarship on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

Dr. Lymberis specializes in the treatment of gynecologic cancer radiotherapy utilizing up-to-date brachytherapy techniques in order to achieve cure in advanced cervical, vaginal, vulvar and endometrial cancers. She is the primary investigator on on-going research projects involving quality improvement and patient experience in gynecologic brachytherapy, evaluating dosimetry of brachytherapy applicators used in brachytherapy, and incorporating MRI planning in cervical brachytherapy treatment planning. She has co-authored over 20 journal articles, book chapters and presented over 50 abstracts at national meetings as well as mentored MIT college students interested in medicine, radiation oncology residents and fellows in gynecologic oncology surgery.

Dr. Lymberis feels that it is a “privilege and honor” to be a physician and to take care of patients. She takes special pride in her approach to medicine which is to “listen and tailor treatment individually for every patient. My goal is to perform excellent advanced radiation oncologic care using the latest technological advances and imaging but also to address any personal concerns patients face so that women can return to normal healthy functioning as soon as possible.”

Although a US born American citizen, Dr. Stella Lymberis was raised in Greece and returned to the US for high school and then to study Chemical Engineering at MIT, completing a SB degree Tau Beta Pi in 1995 with minors in Chemistry and Music. Interested in applying mathematics and technology to medicine, Dr. Lymberis studied medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and then chose to study radiation oncology and completed residency in radiation oncology at New York University.  She worked as an Assistant Attending, specializing in neuro-oncology and stereotactic radiosurgery at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NYC, NY from 2005-2007.

Dr. Stella Lymberis (2nd from right) with fellow Association of Greek American Professional Women members Pannie Trifillis, PhD, Olga Alexakos, PhD, and Natassa Romanou, PhD

Since 2007, she has worked at New York University in the Department of Radiation Oncology first treating breast cancer for many years before transitioning to gynecologic oncology. Dr. Stella Lymberis holds many leadership positions representing the radiation oncology department at New York University’s Langone Medical Center including the Physician Quality Leaders Committee, and serves as the radiation oncology representative for the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center Disease Management Group for Gynecologic Oncology as well as the Institutional Review Board reviewing clinical protocols.

In addition to her award as an exceptional woman physician, Dr. Lymberis has been featured by Castle Connolly as one of the “Top Doctors” for radiation oncology, in New York Magazine, for the last 5 years and top 1% of professionals nationally.  Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. identifies top doctors, both nationally and regionally, based on an extensive nominations process open to all licensed physicians in America. The Castle Connolly physician-led research team reviews and screens all nominated physicians before selecting those regarded as the most outstanding healthcare providers to be Top Doctors. Physicians do not and cannot pay to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.

Dr. Lymberis is active in the Hellenic American community and has been recognized for her activism and service. She has served as Vice President and Election Committee Chair for the Hellenic Medical Society of NY, and has been awarded and recognized by the Hellenic Professional Women, the Greek Association of Professional Women and the PanSamian Brotherhood Pythagoras of NY.

The Hellenic Medical Society of New York established the Dr. Mary Kalopothakes award in 2011, through her efforts to recognize the achievements of female physicians and scientists of Hellenic descent who provide inspiration to their students and their colleagues.  Dr. Lymberis has also lectured promoting the advancement of women in STEM, engineering and medicine, as well as on the challenges and successes of women in medicine.

Dr. Stella Lymberis with husband, Dr. Vassilios Latoussakis at the 2018 Hellenic Medical Society Annual Gala. PHOTO:ETA PRESS

Stella is married to Dr. Vassilios Latoussakis, a psychiatrist at Gracie Square Hospital, who specializes in geriatric psychiatry and is a proud mother of two children, Olga and Michalis Latoussakis.