American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Walk Long Island to Honor Two Good Samaritan University Hospital Physicians

The American Lung Association today announced that this year’s annual LUNG FORCE Walk Long Island will honor two physicians from Catholic Health’s Good Samaritan University Hospital, Sharad Chandrika, MD, and Ashish Sangal, MD, for their commitment to advancing lung health in the region. The walk, scheduled for October 25, 2025, at Eisenhower Park, will feature a special plaque presentation in their honor.

“We are grateful for the work of Dr. Chandrika and Dr. Sangal for their contributions to lung health in this community, and for their dedication to preventing lung disease and ending lung cancer,” said Erica Masin, Executive Director for the American Lung Association in Metro New York. “The American Lung Association is proud to support our community of medical professionals, we know that doctors like Dr. Chandrika and Dr. Sangal are instrumental in creating better outcomes for people with lung cancer.”

The Honorees:

Dr. Sharad Chandrika is an Interventional Pulmonary Specialist with over 20 years of experience in clinical medicine and teaching. She brings to Catholic Health specific expertise in minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy and pleural procedures. She completed Pulmonary and Critical Care fellowships at Norwalk Hospital and Yale University Medical Center and an Interventional Pulmonary fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. Her clinical interests include lung cancer screening, early detection, and multidisciplinary management of patients with lung cancer and malignant airway obstruction. She values cutting-edge technology and innovation in procedures.

Dr. Ashish Sangal is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist with over 15 years of experience, specializing in thoracic cancers. He leads Hematology and Oncology, as well as Thoracic Oncology and Clinical Research, at Good Samaritan University Hospital, part of Catholic Health on Long Island, NY.

He earned his medical degree from Coimbatore Medical College in India and completed his residency and fellowship at Brookdale University Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. He has held leadership roles at multiple institutions, including Director of the Lung Center at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Arizona. Dr. Sangal is active in national clinical trials and has presented at major conferences including ASCO, AACR, and the American Lung Association. His focus is on advancing care for non-small cell lung cancer and rare thoracic malignancies.

Participants joining the LUNG FORCE Walk Long Island will complete a scenic one-mile or three-mile route that starts at Eisenhower Park Field 6A. The event will also include an impactful opening ceremony where Dr. Chandrika and Dr. Sangal will make remarks and LUNG FORCE Heroes will share their stories. All participants will have the opportunity to complete a LUNG FORCE Action Passport that encourages lung health education and join us for a closing ceremony and Party in the Park after the walk! Funds raised at the LUNG FORCE Walk will support the work of the Lung Association to defeat lung cancer, improve the air we breathe, reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and families, and eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases.

More information and registration are available at LUNGFORCE.org/longisland.