MD, PhD, FACOG is a gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon. After completing advanced surgical training in gynecology, gynecologic oncology and advanced pelvic surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and maintaining a successful surgical practice there for more than a decade, she decided to focus exclusively on the care of women in a more comfortable and private setting. After establishing her private practice, she was noted in 2007 and 2008 to be a Castle Connolly Guide Top Doctor for the New York Metro Area, for gynecologic oncology.

Dr. Poynor graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University in 1984. She then graduated from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1988 and completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1992. Dr. Poynor completed her fellowship in gynecologic oncology in 1995 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and remained on the surgical attending staff until July of 2006. While developing and maintaining a busy surgical practice as an Assistant Attending Surgeon at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cornell Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences, she also obtained a PhD in cell biology and genetics from Cornell. Dr. Poynor is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology. In June of 2006, after amassing a vast experience in radical pelvic and minimally invasive pelvic surgery, Dr. Poynor established her solo private practice in gynecologic oncology and pelvic surgery in Manhattan. This move was made in order to provide her patients with leading-edge, top quality care in a patient-centric, calm and compassionate fashion. In addition to providing surgical and medical care to the highest standards in her field, she provides a distinct focus on the importance of the patient-physician relationship.

Over the years Dr. Poynor has co-authored numerous publications and book chapters on topics in gynecology and gynecologic oncology, and has lectured nationally, internationally and through the national media. As a surgeon scientist her work involved translating basic science principles into clinically meaningful treatments and she served as Director of Translational Research for the Gynecology Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Poynor has also served as an investigator in numerous clinical trials relating to the surgical, medical and biologic treatment of gynecologic cancers and has participated in national leadership programs in gynecologic oncology including the Committee on Experimental Medicine in the Gynecologic Oncology Group.

Dr. Poynor provides comprehensive surgical management of gynecologic cancers and works with medical and radiation oncologists in order to facilitate a compassionate, multidisciplinary approach to the management of women’s cancers. Through her extensive experience in the treatment of women’s cancers and recent move into the private setting, she is able to provide leading edge cancer care in an unhurried and calm atmosphere so that treatment plans and options can be discussed in a private, thorough and unrushed fashion. She also provides operative care, counseling, and surgical alternatives to women who require, or may be considering complex gynecologic surgery. There is a focus on minimally invasive surgery in the practice and advanced laparoscopic techniques are employed. In addition to traditional outcomes evaluation of operative procedures, there is also a focus on cosmetic and quality of life outcomes for patients who require surgery.

Dr. Poynor’s practice also focuses on the care of the woman who is at elevated risk to develop cancer based on an abnormal Pap smear, her personal medical history, or family history of cancer. She has special expertise in the complex management of women and their families who have a genetic predisposition to developing breast cancer and gynecologic malignancies. Dr. Poynor also provides gynecologic care for women who currently have or have survived cancer, and may be experiencing side eff ects from prior or ongoing treatments. A large portion of her practice is devoted to the management of menopausal symptoms and sexual health of women who may not be candidates for hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Poynor has thus developed a special interest in the management of health and quality of life issues related to menopause in the cancer survivor.

Dr. Poynor is a respected and sought after source for the popular press and has been quoted in such publications as: Town and Country, More and Redbook. She has also appeared as an expert commentator on MSNBC, the Today Show and WCBS.