Bottom from Left: Dina Podolsky, MD (Co-Director, Columbia Hernia Center), Yuri Novitsky, MD-Chief of Division (Director, Columbia Hernia Center, Philip George, MD (Co-Director, Columbia Hernia Center)
The Columbia Hernia Center brings together a group of world-class physicians focused on delivering the highest-quality hernia care possible. All of our surgeons are fellowship trained in advanced hernia repair and are thought leaders in the world of hernia surgery. They are adept in laparoscopic and robotic surgery, which through the center's own research has been shown to improve outcomes and quality of life compared to traditional methods.
Our goal is to continue to provide excellent clinical care, groundbreaking new research, top of the line surgical techniques, and uncompromising outcomes to patients from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and beyond.
If you would like to set up a consultation, please call us at (212) 305-5947 or use our online appointment request form. We look forward to answering your questions and meeting your hernia care needs.
We are excited to announce our outpatient offices in New Jersey. Appointments can be scheduled through our main line at (212) 305-2038.
Who We Treat
The Columbia Hernia Center offers care for those dealing with a new or recurrent hernia, no matter the complexity.
About Hernias
A hernia is a weakness or opening in the abdominal wall, which often results in soft tissue such as fat or intestine protruding through the abdominal muscles and occupying the space under the skin. The mechanism of a hernia is like what happens with a bulge in a damaged tire, where the inner tube, normally contained by the hard rubber of the tire, extends through a thin or weakened place. The opening in the abdominal wall that leads to the hernia is also known as a hernia defect.
Learn more about the different types of hernias, the causes, symptoms and treatments
Conditions We Treat
- Inguinal (Groin) Hernias
- Umbilical (Belly Button) Hernia
- Ventral Hernias
- Spigelian Hernias
- Incisional Hernias
- Recurrent Hernias
- Hernia Incarceration/Strangulation
- Rectus Diastasis
- Lumbar, Obturator, and Flank Hernias
- Sports Hernia (Athletic Pubalgia)
- Chronic Groin or Abdominal Wall Pain after Hernia Repair
- Hiatal Hernias
- Paraesophageal Hernias
- Diaphragmatic Hernias
Treatments We Offer
- Open Hernia Repair
- Laparoscopic Hernia Repair
- Robotic Hernia Repair
- Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
- Component Separation
- Totally Extraperitoneal Hernia Repair
- Non-Mesh Hernia Repair (Suture only repair)
- Mesh Excision
- Nerve Injections for Chronic Pain
- Nerve Resection
- Sports Hernia treatment
- Hernia Repair under Minimal Anesthesia
- Minimally Invasive and Robotic Hiatal Hernia Repair
- Minimally Invasive and Robotic Paraesophageal Hernia Repair
- Minimally Invasive and Robotic Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair
- Other General Surgery Procedures (i.e. gallbladder removal, lipoma or cyst removals)
If you do not see your condition or treatment listed, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office at (212) 305-5947. We look forward to answering your questions and meeting your hernia care needs.
Learn more about types of hernias and their treatments.
Stories & Perspectives
Overcoming Hernia After C-Section
New mom Shanise discusses her hernia treatment and the process to reclaim her health and confidence with hernia surgeon Dr. Dina Podolsky.
Highlights of Our Program
Comprehensive Hernia Care
At the Columbia Hernia Center, we are wholly dedicated to the care of hernia patients. As such, we ensure that our patients get the most expert care around. Whereas other surgeons may perform hernia repair as a small portion of our practice, you’ll see each of our practitioners as absolute experts in the field of hernia surgery. Because of this we can offer advanced hernia repair techniques not offered anywhere else with outcomes that are superior to any nearby center. At the Columbia Hernia Center, we also collaborate with physicians specializing in rehab medicine, physical therapy, sports medicine, interventional radiology, clinical nutrition, and orthopedic surgery. Because these specialties are all a part of the Hernia Center, you are always seen by physicians who are all familiar with the hernia repair and recovery process. When we fix hernias, we strive to do it with the most advanced and minimally invasive techniques available, to get you back to living your life to the fullest. When you are worried about getting your hernia fixed, do it right, the first time.
Pioneering Treatments
Abdominal wall and groin hernia repair techniques have undergone major advances in recent years, leading to smoother recovery, a reduction in recurrence rates, and a decrease in pain. One such technique was pioneered by the Hernia Center’s director, Dr. Yuri Novitsky: The transversus abdominis release. This allows for the reconstruction of the abdominal wall in order to fix massive hernias which were once thought unfixable. This technique has even been extended to be performed robotically, which allows for patients undergoing major abdominal wall reconstruction to even leave the hospital after a day or so.
Groundbreaking Research
Our center focuses on providing the most up-to-date care possible, and research is always ongoing throughout our center to improve outcomes for our patients. With the assistance of world class statisticians and investigators, the Hernia Center can analyze data for hernia repairs to determine the best approach to hernia care. This work is presented at major conferences including The Society for American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), The American College of Surgeons (ACS), The Americas Hernia Society (AHS), and The European Hernia Society (EHS).
Availability and Convenience
Hernias can be painful, may compromise lifestyle, and in some cases can be dangerous if left untreated. Our center is always available to patients for consultation, surgical treatment, follow-up, or just for questions. We can typically provide appointments within a week and one of our surgeons is always on call for emergency situations. We have offices throughout Manhattan, at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Columbia’s Midtown offices. For those patients from New Jersey, we also have offices in Teaneck and Hoboken.
Stories & Perspectives
A Delicate Dance: Alberto del Saz’s Journey Through Hernia Surgery and Recovery | ColumbiaDoctors - New York
Alberto del Saz relies on his body daily as a dancer and instructor. When he woke up one morning and noticed a bulge on his leg, he sought specialized care at the Columbia Hernia Center.
Our Hernia Center Team
The Columbia Hernia Center comprises world-class, fellowship-trained hernia surgeons who have dedicated their professional careers to the performance and advancement of hernia surgery.
Abdominal Wall Surgeons
Yuri W. Novitsky, MD | Director, Columbia Hernia Center
Medical School: Albany College
Residency: Mount Sinai Medical Center, University of Massachusetts
Fellowship: University of Massachusetts, Carolinas Medical Center
Dina Podolsky, MD | Co-Director, Columbia Hernia Center
Medical School: Rutgers University
Residency: Montefiore Medical Center
Fellowship: Columbia University Medical Center
Philip George, MD | Faculty, Columbia Hernia Center
Medical School: George Washington University
Residency: Mount Sinai Medical Center
Fellowship: Anne Arundel Medical Center
Alex Addo, MD | Faculty, Columbia Hernia Center
Medical School: Tufts University
Residency: Geisinger Medical Center
Fellowship: Anne Arundel Medical Center
Administrative Assistants
Jennifer Suarez-Collazo
Practice Manager
Steph Dejesus
Administrative Assistant
Elsa Ramos
Administrative Assistant
Nurse Practitioner
Victoria "Tori" Consalvo, NP
Current Clinical Fellows of Surgery
Katherine Hopkins
University of Pittsburgh
Sarah Mohamedaly
University of California, San Francisco
Stories & Perspectives
State of the Union: Hernia Care Today
An interview with Yuri Novitsky, MD, Director of the Columbia Hernia Center, and Dina Podolsky, MD, Co-Director of the Columbia Hernia Center.
Hernia Center Locations
We see patients at multiple locations for your convenience. Our providers are also available for virtual visits in the comfort of your own home.
Manhattan
NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
The Herbert Irving Pavilion
161 Fort Washington Avenue (at West 165th Street), 5th Floor
NewYork, NY 10032
All of our providers see patients at this location
Columbia Doctors Midtown
51 West 51st Street
New York, NY 10019
All of our providers see patients at this location
New Jersey
330 Grand St.
Hoboken, NJ 07030
Scheduled through Columbia offices at (212) 305-2038.
Providers at this location: Philip George, MD
300 Frank W Burr Blvd.
Suite 130
Teaneck, NJ 07666
Providers at this location: Philip George, MD
Make an Appointment
The Columbia Hernia Center is ready to help build a personalized hernia care plan for you. We accept most major insurance plans and can verify your plan when you call to make your appointment.
To start your path to hernia relief, call us at (212) 305-5947 or use our online appointment request form to schedule a visit at any of our locations.
Appointments at our Hoboken, NJ office can be scheduled through a concierge service at (212) 305-2038.
Stories & Perspectives
A Minimally Invasive Hernia Repair Then Back to Golf
At 74, Larry Grunfeld was having a wonderful retirement, with plenty of time on the Connecticut golf course, hiking, and swimming to his heart’s content. Then in early 2018, he had pain in his side while walking, and while lying down. The discomfort was so intense, he couldn’t sleep. After his local physician found a hernia in his groin, Larry came to Columbia’s Comprehensive Hernia Center because he wanted the best possible care. He was treated by Dr. Yuri Novitsky, the Center’s director, and a pioneer in minimally-invasive repair that leaves patients with less pain and little down time.
Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Fellowship
We are excited to announce our search for the 2025-2026 Abdominal Wall Reconstructive Surgery Fellow. Find out more information on how to apply for this fellowship program.
Resources
Planning & Preparing
- Hernia FAQs
- What to Expect During Your Care With the Columbia Hernia Center
- NewYork-Presbyterian Patient & Visitor Information
Stories & Perspectives
- State of the Union: Hernia Care in 2022
- Standards of Care Are Changing, and Robotic Surgery Is an Anchor of Advancement
- The Truth About Mesh
- A Casual Conversation with Dr. Yuri Novitsky
- Dr. Dina Podolsky Talks Hernia with BronxNet
- A Minimally Invasive Hernia Repair Then Back to Golf
- After Hernia Surgery, Daniel Has a Larger Life
- Hernia Repair Is Not Just ‘Anybody’s’ Surgery
More Resources
- The Society for American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
- The American College of Surgeons (ACS)
- The Americas Hernia Society (AHS)
- The European Hernia Society (EHS)