News and Awards


Dr. Rao who has a special interest in breast and ovarian cancer and genetics, earned the Top Doctors Award of NJ for 2022, as she works compassionately with her team:(Front Row L-R) Kari Sierant, APN, Joshua Strauss, MD, Maithili Rao, MD, Se young Han, MD, Ashish Shah, DO, Anita Sultan, MD, Charlesse Pondt, MD, Ashish Khot, MD, Kathleen Escobia, APN, Evangeline Stromeyer, APN (Back Row L-R) Niyati Goradia, MD, Neil Nimkar, MD, Kimberly Koval, APN, Daniella Greaves, PA-C, Matthew Stuart, MD, Lisa Rouson, APN, Jessica Surloff, PA-C, Marlene Schmitz, APN, Lindsay Kellogg, APN, Karen Schorr, APN
Earned Top Doctors Award of New Jersey
for 10 consecutive years – 2012 through 2022.
Our Oncologists are now practicing in our newest Pompton Plains location.
In the article “Top Doctors” featured in NJ Monthly – the magazine explains how 24,116 New Jersey doctors were asked to reveal which of their fellow practitioners they consider New Jersey’s best doctors. The result: Our latest Jersey Choice list of the state’s 1,117 Top Doctors, as chosen by their peers. “How do doctors get on the cover? The individuals are chosen to be featured on covers by the editorial department from among doctors with the most votes in their specialties. Dr. Maithili Rao has been featured as Top Oncology & Hematology Doctor 10 years in a row 2012 through 2022 (Featured on Cover in 2013).
ACOHA News
As We Continue to Grow
Dr. Pondt Honored with “Volunteerism Physician of the Year” 2022 AMG’s Award
Congratulations to Dr. Charlesse Pondt-Huannou for receiving the 2022 Atlantic Medical Group (AMG) "Volunteerism Physician of the Year" Award! We are so proud of your dedication and work done in the community.
Joshua Strauss, MD, Featured in the Hematology Advisor with Clinical POV
Dr. Joshua Strauss is featured in Hematology Advisor in Clinician POV section discussing how to Reduce Hypophosphatemia Risk associated with Parenteral Iron Repletion. Read more about key takeaways (View Full Article) “Overall, hypophosphatemia does not appear to be a...
Dr. Rao Honored at American Cancer Society’s 2022 Diamond Ball
The American Cancer Society and Diamond Ball Planning Committee were proud to announce Maithili Rao, MD founder of Advanced Care Oncology & Hematology Associates, LLC (ACOHA) as the recipient of the 2022 Medical Honoree Award, at the 41st Annual Diamond Ball Gala...
2021 Hackettstown Ribbon Cutting
We wanted to share with you this amazing video of our ribbon cutting for our newest infusion center at Hackettstown. CLICK white area above to VIEW VIDEO
Dr. Shah Live on the Healthier Living Radio Show
Listen to Dr. Ashish Shah live on the Healthier Living Radio show discussing Oncology Services at Hackettstown Medical Center and the Joan Knechel Cancer Center. Also, featuring one of our patients and her dad who wrote a heartfelt letter about the exceptional care...
Advanced Care Oncology and Hematology Associates Co-Sponsors Hackettstown Holiday of Lights Festival
Hackettstown Medical Center Lights Up For The Holidays. On November 25, 2020 The Holiday Lights Festival brought hope, happiness and Santa to town. The Holiday Lights Festival brought hope, happiness and Santa to town over the weekend as participants drove through the...
Doctors Rao, Strauss and Khot Named Top Doctors by NJ Monthly Magazine
Dr. Maithili Rao, Dr. Joshua Strauss, and Dr. Ashish Khot are proud to have been recognized as Jersey Choice Top Doctors 2020 and are featured in this month’s edition of NJ Monthly magazine. Together with their outstanding team, they comprise Advanced Care Oncology and Hematology Associates, a premiere hematology-oncology practice with private, comfortable, modern facilities at locations in West Orange, Springfield, Morristown, Rockaway, and Hackettstown. The practice is affiliated with the Atlantic Health System and visits patients at the affiliated hospitals (RWJ-St Barnabas, Overlook Medical Center, Morristown Medical Center, Hackettstown Medical Center). They specialize in treating adults with benign hematology disorders, such as anemia, blood clots, coagulation disorders and abnormal blood counts, and all solid tumors and malignant hematology.
The practice was founded in 2011 by Dr. Rao with a vision to bring integrated oncology and hematology care to patients in the community. “We have created a unique setting for consulting and treating patients at four major hospitals as well as at our state-of-the-art outpatient sites,” Dr. Rao says. “Our patients see world-class practitioners and have navigators to coordinate their care. We treat patients holistically, meeting both clinical and emotional needs.” In collaboration with on-site clinical pharmacists and oncology nurse specialists, patients are treated with chemotherapy, iron infusions, and blood transfusions and receive cutting-edge medical technology and laboratory services. The group also offers clinical trials, genetic counseling and testing, and palliative care services, providing full 360-degree care while delivering individualized treatments. Dr. Rao has a special interest in breast and ovarian cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia. She also manages hematology issues in high-risk pregnancies and lectures on topics such as early detection and treatment of breast cancer, coagulation disorders, and genetics at Morristown Medical Center. Dr. Rao completed her fellowship at the University of Rochester. This is her ninth year being selected as a Top Doctor.
Dr. Strauss is board certified in both medical oncology and hematology and joined the practice upon completing his fellowship at Columbia University. He cares for patients with all types of malignancies and blood disorders while keeping a special interest in gastrointestinal, thoracic, and genitourinary oncology. He is a fierce advocate for his patients, and he takes pride in providing them with complete care that is at once compassionate, modern, and individualized to their needs. “I enjoy learning about my patients, their families, and their values,” Dr. Strauss says. “This allows me to tailor my treatment and recommendations to their specific needs.” He maintains vibrant office practices in Morristown and Springfield and rounds at the affiliated hospitals. He cares deeply about educating the next generation of internists and specialists, lecturing to residents and fellows on a broad range of hematology/oncology topics.
Dr. Khot is an active attending faculty at Overlook Medical Center and Saint Barnabas Medical Center, where he regularly lectures and provides teaching rotations for residents and students in the department of medicine. His special interests include the management of patients with urological, gastrointestinal, and thoracic malignancies as well as various hematological diseases. Dr. Khot sees his dedicated patients at several of the practice’s locations in the community, allowing them to receive care closer to their homes. “With a vast amount of data available in this field, we have implemented a targeted patient-centric approach that allows patients to make informed and satisfying decisions about their care,” he says. “We emphasize great communication between patients, their caregivers, and all the physicians involved to make their care seamless during their journey.” Dr. Khot completed his fellowship training at Montefiore Medical Center. This is his third selection as a Top Doctor.
The trio works in collaboration with Drs. Charlesse Pondt, Ashish Shah, Ved Desai, Arunabh Sekhri, Anita Sultan, Matthew Stuart, and Se young Han; nurse practitioners Marlene Schmitz-Pinkowsky, Edgar “Joed” LaChica, Cherry Rudge, Kari Sierant, Kathleen Escobia, and Kimberly Koval; and physician assistants Jessica Surloff and Daniella Greaves. All office sites are open, and the practice continues to see patients during the pandemic. They have taken extra precautions to keep all patients safe. The office is diligently cleaning and disinfecting patient areas multiple times a day in line with its commitment to the well-being and safety of all patients.
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