From Scrubs to Center Stage

By day, they are some of the region's best physicians. By night, they are 'LiveStream,' a rock band ready to battle it out for a good cause - including lead singer and keyboardist - Dr. Debra Fromer, Vice Chair and Chief of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Urology at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center, drummer, Dr. Michael Stifelman, Regional Chair of Urology North, and Trumpeter Dr. Brian Benson, Chair of Otolaryngology at Hackensack University Medical Center. Now, the doctors and their bandmates will compete in an annual New York City Battle of the Bands competition to benefit American Urological Association (AUA) initiatives to expand recruitment outreach.

Practicing medicine for about 25 years now, Dr. Fromer has been a musician all her life. She loves music as an outlet to daily pressures. In fact she recalls a time during her residency when she began playing a piano in the hospital as a stress reliever. She'll never forget the feeling of family, as patients listened and sang alongside her. Now she draws similar inspiration from the musical camaraderie she's formed with her colleagues. Her band, "LiveStream," has band members, including her boss, Dr. Michael Stifelman, chair of Urology at Hackensack University Medical Center, director of Robotic Surgery and co-director of Urologic Oncology at John Theurer Cancer Center, who plays the drums, and Dr. Brian Benson, Juilliard-trained trumpeter and the Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology at Hackensack University Medical Center. Now the band will take to the stage competing against bands from New York City Urology-led bands in an epic fundraiser to support AUA initiatives. Attendees vote for the winner. Come support our Hackensack Docs that Rock!

Battle of the Bands Benefit

Thursday, May 7, 2026

7PM (doors open at 6)

@Downtown Social 149 Second Ave, NY, NY

"One thing the NY section (of the American Urological Association) is dedicated to is enhancing recruitment efforts to encompass a broader range of talent, ”said Dr. Fromer.

It's important for us to enable mentoring, and meetings to develop new sourcing strategies to tap into diverse talent pools," said Dr. Fromer.

The group plays fan favorites and covers from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s like this version of the Go-Go’s “Our Lips are Sealed.”

As you can imagine, organizing rehearsals based on the rigorous schedules of the doctors in the band can be a challenge! Still, the group manages to find time once or twice a month to get together and jam. And it's always a great way to end the day on a high note, while working in harmony to pay forward the opportunities they've had in their successful careers.

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