Medical Expertise
Colorectal Surgery, Colonoscopy, Laparoscopic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Colon
Cancer, Rectal Cancer, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, Rectal Prolapse, Rectocele
Hospital Affiliation
University Hospital, Newark
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
INSURANCE PARTICIPATION
Insurance Participation: with Provider Number (where applicable)
The information below is subject to change and should not be relied upon until after
it is verified with the insurance company. In addition, psychiatric providers should
be contacted directly for information on their participation with managed care and
insurance companies.
Languages
Spanish
Overview
Melissa M. Alvarez-Downing, MD, FACS, FASCRS is a board certified surgeon in both colorectal and
general surgery. After receiving a medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York
City. Dr. Alvarez-Downing completed her general surgery residency training at Saint Barnabas
Medical Center in New Jersey, now part of the RWJ Barnabas Health System, where she was the
administrative chief resident for resident education. During her chief year, she also won both awards
for outstanding chief resident by her peers and faculty. She went on to complete two advanced
fellowships first in surgical oncology at the National Cancer Institute Surgery Branch and an
additional clinical fellowship in colorectal surgery at Cleveland Clinic Florida.
Dr. Alvarez-Downing is the sole colorectal surgeon at University Hospital who offers all of her patients
advanced minimally invasive robotic surgery. Postoperatively, she manages her patients with an
enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program, which she created, as a way to improve their
recovery after major abdominal surgery.
In her administrative roles, she chairs the Rutgers NJMS Department of Surgery's Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion Committee and serves as the Clerkship Director for the Rutgers NJMS 3rd year surgery
clerkship. She is a fellow of the American College of Colon & Rectal Surgeons and American College
of Surgeons. She is involved in several national organizations including the American Society of
Colon & Rectal Surgeons Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee; Association of Surgical
Education
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force; The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic
Surgeons; The Association of Women Surgeons and has recently been named the National Hispanic
Medical Association Council of Surgery Co-Chair.
She is actively involved in teaching and mentoring of medical students, surgery residents, nursing
students, underserved Latinx pre-med students and has trained several colorectal surgery fellows.
Education
MD, 2005, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Licensure & Certification
Medical LicensureNew Jersey
CertificationAmerican Board of Colon & Rectal Surgery - Colon & Rectal Surgery
Curriculum Vitae
View CVLanguages
Spanish
