Meet Dr. Steven Mathews! We sat down with our newest physician to learn more about him and what makes him so passionate about patient care. Here’s what he had to say:
How many years have you been practicing?
6 total. (3 years Internal Medicine Residency, 3 years GI Fellowship)
Schooling, Residency, Fellowship:
Undergraduate: Boston University, B.S. in Biomedical Engineering (Cum Laude)
Medical Degree: Stony Brook University School of Medicine
Internal Medicine Residency: New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine
Gastroenterology Fellowship: New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine
Board Certifications: Gastroenterology (board eligible), Internal Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine
Other Certifications: Physician Nutrition Specialist
Why did you choose to go into your field?
Gastroenterology affords me the unique opportunity to integrate clinical medicine, procedural care, and nutrition. I was drawn to the variety of conditions we treat and the ability to interact with all types of patients. I love that we can perform relatively quick and noninvasive procedures that can significantly impact our patients’ disease course and general health. Additionally, my passion for nutrition and lifestyle medicine aligns itself well with our field, where I can counsel patients on changes that can help prevent, treat, and even reverse some of the problems they may be facing.
What did you find compelling about it? What do you most enjoy about it now:
I am compelled by the gastrointestinal system’s role as a conduit between our environment and our bodies. As we continue to learn more about the microbiome, I find myself seeking to understand more about how both food and environmental factors can not only drive disease but also be harnessed to heal it. I enjoy discussing these ideas with patients while also providing them the most up to date medical care as well as detailed information through endoscopy – a balance I find deeply fulfilling.
How would you characterize your style of patient interaction?
When connecting with patients, I hope to convey humility, understanding, patience, and knowledge. My goal is to develop meaningful relationships with patients centered around trust. I believe this relationship is the foundation for healing and, therefore, needs to be built delicately with compassion and care.
What do you hope to be able to give your patients?
My hope is to provide patients with the most relevant medical care for their gastrointestinal issues with a refreshing take that incorporates the central role that nutrition and lifestyle habits play in health. I feel it is too often that these choices and habits are overlooked in our current medical system when it is these factors that frequently drive symptoms and diseases in our population. I believe my training and passion for lifestyle medicine, which includes diet, exercise, sleep, and general well-being, along with all the tools that our conventional medical training provides, allows me to connect with patients in a particularly impactful way. I hope to impart this wisdom to my patients and work alongside them to make changes that can transform their health and foster wellness.
What kinds of cases or patients most challenge your skill, training and experience? What is your best quality as a practitioner?
It can be challenging, for gastroenterologists and patients alike, when a diagnosis can take time to ascertain. However, I feel that my desire to get to the root cause of the problem while delivering effective results can be further strengthened by these challenging cases. I also believe that my unique perspective and training background allows me to understand patients in a distinct way, where we can work together to determine the root causes of their illness and utilize the therapies needed to overcome them.
How does that help you in your job each day?
My passion for lifestyle medicine allows me to stay encouraged and focused on each individual patient’s goal. It allows me to work closely with patients to uncover the root of the issue while collaborating with each patient on a plan to address these challenges moving forward. Most importantly, it allows me to stay grounded in the knowledge that health, just like life, is a journey, and that focusing on small, sustainable changes are the most effective way to achieve long-term wellness and happiness.
Please list your community involvement, charities, church or organization participation, youth sports, etc.:
First Congregational Church, Montclair, NJ
What are your hobbies or personal interests?
I love spending time outdoors, hiking, basketball, lacrosse, tennis, snowboarding, and paddleboarding. Given my interest in nutrition, my family and I follow a wholefood plant-based diet and we are always excited to try new foods and recipes.
Contact us to schedule your appointment! (908) 483-4000
