Dr. Milena Elimelakh, MD is a medical oncologist practicing at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Hollywood in Hollywood, FL. She is deeply committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive oncological care for older adults, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a dedicated partner in their health journey, she specializes in the expert medical care of older adults (65+) facing cancer diagnoses, working collaboratively with their primary care physicians and other specialists to develop personalized treatment plans. Her focus is on managing complex conditions effectively and ensuring that her patients feel supported throughout their care.
A general oncologist, Dr. Elimelakh provides expert medical care for older adults with common cancers like breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, lymphoma, and leukemia. With over 20 years of experience in oncological care, she brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to her patients and their families. She earned her medical degree from State University Of New York Downstate Health Sciences University College Of Medicine in 2001, followed by an internship and residency in Oncology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and a fellowship at Fairview University Medical Center. Dr. Elimelakh is Board Certified in Hematology, Medical Oncology, and Oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Medical Specialties, respectively. She is affiliated with several medical facilities, including North Memorial Health-Maple Grove Hospital and North Memorial Health-Robbinsdale Hospital. She is currently welcoming new patients and offers telehealth appointments. Dr. Milena Elimelakh offers consultations in several languages, including Arabic, French, Russian, and Spanish. Please call (954) 874-9170 to schedule an appointment.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Milena Elimelakh is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Elimelakh provides compassionate and comprehensive oncological care for seniors, recognizing the unique needs of older adults facing cancer. She works closely with primary care physicians and specialists to create personalized treatment plans, focusing on managing complex conditions while respecting each patient's individual goals and quality of life. This collaborative approach ensures a supportive and holistic experience throughout the cancer journey.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Milena Elimelakh can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Coventry Health Care
Principal Financial Group
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Aetna
- Aetna HMO
- Anthem
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
- Blue Card PPO
- Blue Cross Accord
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
- Blue Preferred Plus POS
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Choice Plus POS
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna
- Cigna PPO
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care) PPO
- Great West Healthcare-Cigna PPO
- Group Value Network (Select Network)-MN
- HealthyBlue 2.0
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Options PPO
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Milena Elimelakh provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Breast Cancer: While a breast cancer diagnosis can be concerning, advancements in medicine mean that many seniors are able to receive treatment that helps them live full and active lives.
- Brain Cancer: Brain cancer is a serious disease involving the growth of abnormal cells in the brain, and treatment, which may include surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, aims to control the cancer and improve quality of life.
- Small Intestine Cancer: Cancer in the small intestine is less common than other cancers, but treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy can help extend life and maintain independence for older adults.
- Esophageal Cancer: Dealing with esophageal cancer can be challenging, but modern medicine offers options like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy to address the cancer and improve your quality of life. These treatments can help you manage symptoms and maintain your independence.
- Head and Neck Cancer: Head and neck cancer refers to cancers that develop in the mouth, throat, nose, or voice box, and treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for seniors.
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of blood disorders where the bone marrow doesn't make enough healthy blood cells, often affecting older adults and potentially impacting energy levels and increasing infection risk, but treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
- Lung Cancer: If you've been diagnosed with lung cancer, know that modern medicine offers treatments like radiation or immunotherapy to shrink tumors and help you maintain your independence for longer.
- Stomach and Small Intestine Cancer: Cancers affecting the stomach or small intestine can be challenging, but modern medicine offers various treatment options like surgery, targeted therapies, and supportive care to manage symptoms and help you maintain your independence.
- Colorectal Cancer: If a senior is diagnosed with colorectal cancer, a personalized treatment plan, which may include surgery, radiation, or medication, helps to manage the condition and improve their quality of life.
- Breast Carcinoma: Breast carcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the breast tissue, and modern treatments like surgery, radiation, or medication can help control it and maintain your comfort and independence.
- Stomach Cancer: Developing stomach cancer means there are cancerous cells growing in your stomach, but with modern treatments including surgery, targeted therapies, and supportive care, many seniors can manage their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.
- Urethra Cancer: While urethral cancer is uncommon, effective treatments are available to address this condition. These treatments can focus on relieving symptoms and helping seniors maintain their daily routines.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Milena Elimelakh offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Bone Marrow Aspiration: Bone marrow aspiration helps doctors monitor the effectiveness of cancer treatments in seniors, allowing for adjustments to the care plan as needed.
- Bone Marrow Biopsy: A bone marrow biopsy helps doctors understand the extent of certain cancers, such as multiple myeloma, allowing for more precise treatment planning and better management of your condition.
- Breast Cancer Treatment: Breast cancer treatment options are designed to diagnose the extent of the cancer, remove tumors, and prevent recurrence, offering a personalized approach to managing this disease in older adults.
- Cancer Pain Management: Through a combination of medication, therapies, and lifestyle changes, cancer pain management helps seniors stay active and engaged.
- Cancer Screening: As part of a comprehensive senior care plan, cancer screenings play a vital role in detecting cancers like breast, prostate, colon, and lung cancers early, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment.
- Cancer Treatment: A comprehensive cancer treatment plan addresses the specific needs of each senior, considering their overall health and preferences.
- Chemotherapy: For seniors diagnosed with certain cancers, chemotherapy is a treatment option that aims to eliminate cancer cells and help them live longer.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Oncology in Florida.
Dr. Milena Elimelakh is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- Following a breast cancer diagnosis, a senior woman felt reassured by the support and personalized care plan. She was able to return to her beloved knitting hobby, a source of joy and connection, with renewed energy and comfort.
- After undergoing specialized treatment for brain cancer, a senior felt more secure at home, able to enjoy quiet evenings with their family, a cherished part of their daily routine.
- A senior with small intestine cancer experienced reduced abdominal discomfort and felt more secure at home, thanks to the oncology's guidance and personalized treatment plan. The family also reported feeling more hopeful about the future.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Hematology)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology)
- American Board of Medical Specialties (Oncology)
Here are answers to some common questions about Oncological care with Dr. Milena Elimelakh:
- What is an Oncologist?
- Dr. Elimelakh and her team are medical oncologists, specializing in treating cancer with medications like chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Surgical and radiation oncologists also play important roles, often collaborating to create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to each patient's needs.
- What can I expect at my first visit with an oncologist?
- Your first visit with Dr. Elimelakh will be a comprehensive consultation. We will review your medical records, pathology reports, and imaging scans to gather all the necessary information. This is the first step in a partnership where Dr. Elimelakh will explain your diagnosis, discuss treatment options, and answer all your questions with care and compassion.
- Is age a factor in deciding on cancer treatment?
- While age is a factor, Dr. Elimelakh considers a patient's overall health, fitness, and personal goals to be more important. She specializes in creating personalized treatment plans for seniors, which may be adapted to be just as effective while minimizing side effects and preserving independence.
- What does it mean if my prostate cancer is managed with 'active surveillance'?
- Active surveillance is a safe and standard approach for slow-growing, low-risk prostate cancer. It involves regular monitoring with blood tests and biopsies, rather than immediate treatment, to avoid possible side effects if the cancer doesn't need immediate intervention.
- What is the difference between palliative care and hospice care?
- Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and stress from serious illness, like cancer, and can be given at any stage alongside treatment. Hospice care is comfort care provided when curative treatment is stopped.
- What is immunotherapy?
- Immunotherapy is a groundbreaking cancer treatment that uses the body's own immune system to find and fight cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy, which directly kills cancer cells, immunotherapy "unleashes" the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. It's often a well-tolerated approach to cancer care.
- How is breast cancer treated in older women?
- Treatment for breast cancer in older women is highly personalized, depending on the cancer type and the patient's overall health. Options often include surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy pills, which are generally well-tolerated. Dr. Elimelakh works with a team to create the most effective and least disruptive treatment plan.
- What is chemotherapy and what are the side effects?
- Chemotherapy is a powerful medication used to kill cancer cells throughout the body. While side effects like fatigue, nausea, and hair loss are a concern, many excellent medications and supportive care strategies are available today to effectively manage these side effects and maintain quality of life during treatment.
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at Hollywood
3850 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood FL 33021
Phone: (954) 874-9170
Dr. Milena Elimelakh, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1679609689
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Oncology like Dr. Milena Elimelakh are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.