RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute Surgeons Earn New National Designation in Complex Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Headshots of Dr. Beninato and Dr. Laird

New Brunswick, N.J., June 3, 2025 – Amanda M. Laird, MD, FACS, Chief, Section of Endocrine Surgery at Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health and Toni Beninato, MD, MS, FACS, endocrine surgeon at Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health have received a Focused Practice Designation in Adult Complex Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery from the American Board of Surgery. This newly established national certification recognizes high-volume endocrine surgeons with significant experience in advanced thyroid and parathyroid procedures.

To qualify, surgeons must submit detailed logs demonstrating expertise in the full complement of complex operations, such as advanced thyroid cancers, parathyroid disease, neck dissections, and reoperative surgeries, followed by a rigorous exam. Drs. Beninato and Laird are experienced, fellowship-trained endocrine surgeons.  This is the first year the American Board of Surgery has offered the designation, which aims to help patients identify surgeons who have advanced training and perform a high number of these operations annually in this highly specialized area. 

This achievement further underscores the high level of surgical excellence and commitment to patient-centered cancer care at the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center at RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute—the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

To learn more about the Focused Practice Designation, visit https://www.absurgery.org/get-certified/focused-practice-designation.

Learn more about the Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumor Program at RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute: https://cinj.org/patient-care/endocrine-and-neuroendocrine-tumor-program 
 

For journalists – contact:
Krista Didzbalis 
Corporate Communications Specialist, Strategic Communications, RWJBarnabas Health
732.507.8307
krista.didzbalis2@rwjbh.org


For patient appointments/inquiries – contact:
844-CANCERNJ (844-226-2376)