Michele Donato, MD, FACP, CPE, MBA
Board Certifications: Medical Oncology
Languages: English and French
Locations: Hackensack, NJ
Call Hackensack, NJ (551) 996-5900
Michele Donato, MD, has treated patients in the Hackensack, New Jersey, communities for over 20 years. She works with a wide range of cancer types and hematology conditions and is actively involved in stem cell and immunotherapy research to improve treatment outcomes for blood cancers. She is highly awarded for the level of care she provides to each patient seeking treatment.
Dr. Donato is involved in treating various cancers and blood disorders. Her special interests, however, are in malignant blood disorders such as multiple myeloma, leukemia, myelofibrosis, and myelodysplastic syndrome. She treats these conditions using advanced procedures such as:
- Stem cell transplantation
- CAR-T therapy
- Apheresis, including photopheresis
Dr. Donato is also actively involved in blood stem cell transplantation and immunotherapy research. She works to improve treatment efficacy and options for patients with blood malignancies, to achieve better outcomes for current and future patients.
Academic Appointments and Achievements
Dr. Donato delivers an exceptional level of care for all patients she treats. Her commitment has been acknowledged with awards from multiple publications, including:
- Exceptional Women In Medicine: 2019, 2020
- Jersey’s Best Magazine Top Doctors: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Jersey’s Best – Top Doctors for Cancer: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- New York Magazine: Top Doctors: 2021, 2022
- Top Doctors New York Metro Area (digital guide): 2020, 2021, 2022
She has also been awarded the Medal of the Governor General of Canada for the Highest Academic Standing, the Denis Dussiaume Award for Academic Excellence, and the McGill University J.W. McConnell Entrance Award.
In addition, Dr. Donato is actively involved in clinical research. She is a member of multiple professional organizations, including:
- American Society of Hematology
- American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
- Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research
Education
- Medical school: McGill University, 1992
- Residency: McGill University, Internal Medicine, 1995
- Fellowship: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Medical Oncology, 1997
- Board certifications: Medical Oncology
About Michele Donato, MD, FACP, CPE, MBA
Michele Donato, MD, was drawn to the medical field for its unique combination of science, problem-solving, and human connection. During her studies, hematology and oncology stood out. “They embody the forefront of where medicine meets hope and innovation,” says Dr. Donato. The field of oncology is constantly expanding with new treatment options, making it possible to manage and even cure diseases that were previously terminal.
The prime example of this, to Dr. Donato, is transplant and cellular therapy. “This is an unprecedented era of transformation,” she says, naming recent advances in treatment, such as:
- CAR T-cells
- Gene editing
- Novel targeted therapies
- Advances in transplantation
These empower physicians to deliver treatment that is truly personalized. They revolutionize oncology and hematology care, opening up avenues that were never before possible. “It is deeply motivating and humbling,” says Dr. Donato, to be able to offer advanced curative therapies like these.
Cancer care is not solely about scientific advancement, however. During her 25 years in the field, Dr. Donato has seen exceptional resilience from her patients. Their greatest lesson for her is that courage is not the absence of fear but facing a frightening situation head-on. In her words, “medicine is powerful, but so too is the human spirit.”
This spirit is what makes oncology rewarding to Dr. Donato. She loves the opportunity to see patients re-integrate into their lives after overcoming a difficult diagnosis, going back to spending time with friends and family. This hope keeps her motivated.
To patients, Dr. Donato states “You are not alone.” A cancer diagnosis may be overwhelming, but it is not something that patients and their families must confront without help. They have a team of dedicated experts on their side. The physicians at RCCA are not only committed to treating the disease, but they also support patients “physically, emotionally, and spiritually” through every step of the process, from initial diagnosis through treatment, rehabilitation, and beyond. “There are more treatment options than ever before,” she finishes, “and there is hope.”
Philosophy
“My philosophy is simple,” says Dr. Donato: “Treat the person, not just the disease. While evidence-based, cutting-edge therapies are essential, so too is seeing the whole person with their values, families, and goals. Patients put enormous trust in us during some of the most vulnerable times of their lives. That trust must be honored with honesty, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Locations
Dr. Donato treats patients at Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) in Hackensack.
Hospital Affiliations
She is also an affiliate of Hackensack University Medical Center and Jersey Shore University Medical Center, which are both part of the Hackensack Meridian Health Network. She also works as the Director of blood and marrow transplantation at John Theurer Cancer Center.
We are here for you
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 844-346-7222. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the RCCA location nearest you.
Regional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.