Ridgewood October 26, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 9 Local physicians to receive Community Leadership Award Dr. John Poole of Ridgewood, a specialist in general and laparoscopic surgery, and Dr. Mitchell J. Rubinoff, a gastroenterologist who practices in Ridgewood, are two of six health care professionals who will be honored by the Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative, Inc. at the organization’s second anniversary event: “Celebrating the Culture of Caring: Reception and Buffet Supper” on Tuesday, Nov 1. The honorees will receive the Community Leadership Award at the 6 p.m. celebration, which will be held at Seasons in Washington Township. Dr. Poole is being honored for outstanding volunteer service to the patients of BVMI. Dr. Poole has been an attending surgeon at Holy Name Medical Center for the past 24 years. BVMI, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, provides free primary medical care to working, low-income residents of Bergen County who have no health insurance. Volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and other health care professionals treat patients at 241 Moore Street, Hackensack. Additionally, over 300 doctors in specialty practice throughout the county offer pro-bono service on a limited basis to BVMI patients. There are several patients of BVMI who are grateful to Dr. Poole for his diagnosis and treatment of inguinal hernias and abdominal hernias. The same-day surgical procedures were performed at Holy Name Medical Center. Dr. Poole, a past president of the Bergen County Medical Society, brings his passion for medicine to statewide and national platforms. He is the Chair of MedAC, the political action committee of the New Jersey Medical Society; and is a member of AMPAC, the political action committee of the American Medical Association. He is an effective voice on behalf of the medical profession in the shaping of public policy. Dr. Rubinoff is exceedingly generous in seeing BVMI’s patients in his Ridgewood office. Since the opening of the BVMI center, Dr. Rubinoff, a widely respected gastroen- Left: Dr. John Poole, MD. Right: Dr. Mitchell J. Rubinoff, MD. terologist described as quiet, humble, and unassuming, has willingly seen patients for GI consults and has performed colonoscopies and other procedures. “This is a great endeavor, and I am glad to participate,” was his immediate response when asked to serve. Dr. Rubinoff has made a difference in the lives of many of BVMI patients, but one story stands out. A middle-age man with intractable pain came to the center, and after a comprehensive examination by volunteer physicians and inconclusive tests, he was referred to Dr. Rubinoff, who discovered a most unusual cause for his continuing discomfort: The patient was suffering from eosinophilic gastritis. After extensive diagnosis and treatment over time, the patient is now pain-free and back to work. A partner in Gastrointestinal Associates, PA, Dr. Rubinoff has practiced at The Valley Hospital for 21 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Lehigh University and a medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He completed his internal medicine residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital and completed a three-year fellowship at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. For five years after completion of training, Dr. Rubinoff was in fulltime academic practice at Saint Luke’s Hospital and Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. The father of two children, Dr. Rubinoff is also involved in volunteer activities at the Ridgewood public schools and Temple Israel.