Amy J. Goldberg, MD, MSSM '87

Biography

A CAREER IN SURGERY

Amy J. Goldberg, MD, FACS, MSSM ‘87 is the Peters Chair of Surgery, Surgeon-in-Chief of the Temple University Health System, and Medical Director of Perioperative Services for Temple University Hospital.  She received her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 1987, and subsequently completed her training at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University Hospital.  She fell in love with surgery while at Mount Sinai and has since built her career in the surgery department.

Why Mount Sinai

Dr. Goldberg was originally attracted to Mount Sinai because of the medical school’s innovative curriculum and the hospital’s strong reputation for patient care.  Mount Sinai’s location and affiliates guaranteed a diverse patient population. The basic science education was exceedingly strong and the clinical education was the perfect balance of community and tertiary care.  

When remembering Mount Sinai, Dr. Goldberg misses the camaraderie amongst the students and especially her roommates in Aron Hall.  Her class really enjoyed spending time together, from the classroom to the labs, and shared a spirit of togetherness and family.  

Dr. Goldberg’s advice to students is to study hard and systematically, since at medical school you build the foundation for life-long learning.  But, she notes, it is also important to also take a step back from school and take advantage of the arts and culture in the city, and she encourages students to enjoy everything New York has to offer: from the wonderful museums to Broadway shows.  

Importance of Innovation

Innovation and technology have revolutionized medicine.  But though a great deal will change in medicine and surgery over the next decades, Dr. Goldberg stresses that nothing will ever replace the History and Physical Examination. To be an outstanding physician and surgeon, it is necessary to always talk with and touch our patients. 

Dr. Goldberg still remains involved at Mount Sinai.  In 2017, Drs. Marin and Divino invited Dr. Goldberg to be the guest lecturer at the 37th Annual Mae and Samuel Whitman Lectureship.  It was an incredible honor to be asked back to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to give such a prestigious lecture.