Donald Tomasello, MD

Dr. Donald Tomasello says he absorbed a career in medicine through his dad, a retired Philadelphia cardiothoracic surgeon. But that was just the spark. He discovered he had a real passion for it.

“It’s important that you get into medicine for the right reasons,” Dr. Tomasello explains. “It’s not about lifestyle or prestige, it’s about improving quality of life for others,” he says.

Dr. Tomasello is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. A biology graduate of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, he earned his medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia.

He completed his surgery internship and residency at Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa. – where he had the unique experience of working under his father. “I was the only resident who could talk back to the heart surgeon. It was a great experience, my dad was an excellent teacher,” he says.

He was department chairman at Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center in Pennsylvania and also worked at Cape Regional Medical Center in Cape May Court House. At AtlantiCare, he is looking forward to using his advanced training in minimallyinvasive robotic surgery.

“AtlantiCare is pushing technology and that’s where we see the biggest advances,” he says. Dr. Tomasello says roboticallyassisted surgery allows better precision while reducing blood loss and impact on healthy tissue. That translates to faster recovery, less pain and fewer complications.

“We want to cure disease. But improving quality of life is just as important,” he says. “I see my role as a communicator and educator. I guide my patients so they make the best decisions for themselves. Together, we can really improve daily life,” he says