Medical Oncology & Hematology
Louis J. Avvento, MD graduated from the University of Rome with a degree in medicine in 1981. He continued with his residency at Jamaica Hospital in Queens, where he chose to submerge himself into the oncology world because, at the time, treatments were limited and patient care was extremely challenging. He wanted to be a part of a healthcare revolution to change the lives of oncology patients for the better and has found it to be the most rewarding career he could have chosen
After completing his fellowship in Hematology and Oncology at Stony Brook University, Dr. Avvento began a private practice in Riverhead as a solo practitioner with a nurse and receptionist – a staff of three. The practice eventually grew to a staff of forty-five oncology professionals. Dr. Avvento chose the East End of Long Island because in 1988, there were no other practices around. He created a more convenient and comfortable situation for patients.
Dr. Avvento is board-certified in four specialties including Internal Medicine, Hematology and Hospice, Medical Oncology, and Palliative Care. He has been the Medical Director of East End Hospice in Westhampton, NY since 1990. He is the former Director of Palliative Care at both Peconic Bay Medical Center and Southampton Hospital in Riverhead, NY. He was involved in establishing the Palliative Care Fellowship at Southampton Hospital for training doctors in palliative care. Dr Avvento was also responsible for the palliative care board certification of 4 physicians at the Southampton Hospital and 3 Nurse practitioners at Peconic Bay Medical Center under the newly established palliative care programs. Dr. Avvento is a former board member of Fighting Chance and currently holds an appointment as Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professorship at Mount Sinai.
Through the years, Dr. Avvento has received multiple awards in recognition of his outstanding performance and achievements in the field. Accolades include: “Best Doctors on Long Island’ –Newsday, 2008-2019; “Physician of the Year” –Peconic Bay Medical Center, 2005; “Best Doctors” –New York Magazine, 2004/2008; Castle Connolly Top Doctors: New York Metro Area – 2002 to 2008, 2010 to 2014; Patient’ Choice 5th Anniversary Award – 2012; Patients’ Choice Award – 2008 to 2012, 2014; and Compassionate Doctor Recognition – 2010 to 2012."
| Riverhead Medical Oncology | 750 Old Country Road, Riverhead, NY 11901 | 631-751-3000 |
| Southampton Medical Oncology | 640 County Road 39, Southampton, NY 11968 | 631-751-3000 |
| Eastern Long Island Hospital |
| Peconic Bay Medical Center |
| Southampton Hospital |
| Stony Brook University Hospital |
Patient Reviews
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"Dr. Avvento caused my father undue pain and suffering. Despite being his doctor for many years, when my father was diagnosed with nodules throughout his organs, Avvento told him not to worry. He delayed the CT scan and then delayed the biopsy. He agreed to do a virtual appointment to read the results and then delayed it by hours and only did a phone call when we threatened legal action. He ordered chemotherapy with a high risk for bleeding despite my father having extremely low platelets (something which Avvento had treated him for for over 10 years). Throughout this process, despite my father clearly having metastatic pancreatic cancer, he refused to give him a clear prognosis and when pressed repeatedly he finally said 3-6 months, when it was in fact just over a week. This cowardly refusal to speak honestly and frankly made things much more difficult than they already were. The continued delaying of appointments and procedures was agonizing. If this man is unable to have tough conversations, he probably shouldn't be working in oncology. People who are dying deserve the dignity of the truth, even if it makes the doctor uncomfortable. His office was often unwilling to talk to my brother and I despite our legal medical proxy status. He did not order the full biopsy tests he should have and had to go back and retest for us to know genetic information. I recommend getting out from his care immediately and know that if he orders test, you are stuck with him until he chooses to read results (which will happen late and inaccurately) because other doctors are not allowed to share results."
from MMT 1.0 Stars - (2024-11-21) -
"Everyone at the Riverhead office is wonderful. I would especially like to recognize Hannah at the front desk. She is always so pleasant and helpful. I also would like to recognize Nanette the RN who gives me my monthly chemo shot. She seems to be the only one that can give me the shot correctly with no pain as I have had several who could not nor knew how to inject it. Thank you Hannah and Nanette you both are definite assets to NY Cancer and Blood."
from Violet 5.0 Stars - (2024-11-20) -
"Very detail oriented, did not rush you out of the office, he made sure he didn’t miss a beat very friendly and customer was to a T👏👏👏👏"
from Christiana 5.0 Stars - (2024-11-18) -
"All went well. Nice staff.Dr.Avvento is a genius!"
from kathleen 5.0 Stars - (2024-11-15) -
"Everybody was helpful, knowledgeable and kind. Very thorough."
from Barbara 5.0 Stars - (2024-11-06) -
"NY Blood and Cancer is a great place for your medical needs. Dr. Avvento and his staff are welcoming and make sure all you needs and questions are answered."
from Jason 5.0 Stars - (2024-10-29) -
"I had received some scary results from an MRI that another Doctor had ordered for me and wasn’t scheduled to see Dr Avvento for a routine follow up for a couple of weeks. I was a nervous wreck. The staff was very accommodating and moved my appt up. When I arrived at the office there was a mix up but the nursing staff spoke to Dr Avvento and he said of course he would see me. He reviewed all my scans with me and alleviated my fears.
Dr Avvento is truly the most caring and knowledgeable Doctor I have ever
worked with. I trust him with my life."
from Sandra 5.0 Stars - (2024-10-18) -
"Wait time was very minimal. Support staff were very friendly. Center itself was very clean. Physicians assistant was very informative. I asked questions and she answered them in a manner which I could understand."
from Thomas 5.0 Stars - (2024-10-01) -
"Dr. Avvento and his staff are all genuinely caring people. I’ve been a patient since 2015 and am so glad that I’ve been treated here."
from Gerri 5.0 Stars - (2024-09-24) -
"Professional, thorough, trustworthy. I have complete faith in Dr. Avvento"
from Rosalie 5.0 Stars - (2024-09-19)