Matthew Ostroff’s dedication to cancer advocacy is deeply personal. In 1962, his grandmother Bonnie co-founded the Albany Leukemia Society, while his grandfather Jules served as secretary of the National Leukemia Society of America. Continuing that legacy, Matthew’s uncle, Rick Ostroff, launched the Jules and Bonnie Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Family Support Fund in 2017 to help families offset out-of-pocket costs—such as gas, parking, tolls, and meals—while receiving treatment at The Melodies Center in Albany.
The loss of both his grandmother and maternal grandfather to cancer only deepened Matthew’s commitment to making a difference in healthcare. Diagnosed with severe Crohn’s disease as a teenager, he underwent low-dose chemotherapy for over 20 years. Embracing the mindset, “If I didn’t think I was sick, I wasn’t,” he developed the resilience that would define his career in medicine.
Matthew began as an EMT and paramedic in New York City, starting his first shift on September 11, 2001—a moment that cemented his commitment to patient care. After earning the 2007 NYC Medic of the year, he became an Emergency Department nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital, where he specialized in ultrasound-guided vascular access. A traumatic experience involving his brother’s central venous catheter inspired him to improve the patient experience, and he soon emerged as a national leader in the field, serving patients of all ages—from neonates to geriatrics.
His work took him to Gemelli University in Italy to train in arm port placement. Upon returning, he launched the nation’s first inpatient and outpatient bedside port placement program at St. Joseph’s Health, allowing women to discreetly receive chemotherapy ports in their arms rather than the chest—reducing both trauma and treatment delays.
As founder and coordinator of the Vascular Access Program at St. Joseph’s, Matthew has received numerous honors, including the New Jersey Biz Healthcare Hero Award, Drexel University’s Outstanding Graduate Award, the Suzanne LaVere Herbst Award, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Innovation Excellence Award. He is also a respected national and international speaker and author of Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access: Practical Solutions to Bedside Clinical Challenges (2022).
Today, Matthew is focused on advancing research and development to make port placements less invasive and traumatic. His work continues to redefine best practices in vascular access, guided by a lifelong commitment to innovation, patient dignity, and honoring his family’s enduring legacy in cancer advocacy. He extends his heartfelt gratitude to his mentors and colleagues, and above all, to his patients, who remind him each day that there is no greater calling than the privilege of helping others.
On October 6th, 2016, just two months into my Senior year at St. Joesph Regional High School in Montvale, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma. A hockey player since age three, all I had thought about all summer was preparing for my Senior season. Especially after missing over half of my Junior year due to a double spiral fracture of my tibia sustained in a game. I had never trained harder or been more determined for anything. Now, I thought I would never even have the chance.
That was until I walked into the doors at Hackensack Meridian Health’s Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit. From the beginning, Dr. Burton Appel and his assisting team were nothing short of phenomenal. They were there for me and my family emotionally as we had no idea how to navigate the next few months ahead. Professionally, I would say they did a perfect job, as I only needed one three-month round of Chemotherapy before being declared Cancer free on January 6th 2016. Thanks to their amazing work, I was able to play throughout Chemo treatments only had to miss three games of the hockey season. I had the honor of receiving the 2016 Bergen County YMCA’s Inspirational/Courageous Youth Athlete Award and was given a standing ovation at Madison Square Garden through the New York Ranger’s Garden of Dream.
I then went on to play Ice Hockey at Villanova University and was able to witness National Championships firsthand, unfortunately in basketball. I now work in Morristown, New Jersey for Simon Quick Advisors and I am proud to say I will be 10 years Cancer Free in January!
