On January 23, 2009, Dr. Nicolino was rushed to Huntington Hospital with complaints of abdominal pain.  Hours later it was confirmed that Dr. Nicolino was in need of an appendectomy.  There were no warning signs except some minor stomach pains which Dr. Nicolino explained as a pulled muscle type of ache.  After a day of work and a lengthy meeting Dr. Nicolino returned home in the evening only to be taken to the Hospital due to increasing discomfort.  A CT scan was performed at the hospital to identify the problem.  Dr. Joseph Patane of Huntington performed the successful laparoscopic operation in under an hour, allowing for a quick recovery.

      Dr. Nicolino is now resting comfortably.  "There are no real scars to mention.  When I told my daughter about the whole thing the next day she quickly reminded me that I should  "suck it up" because I didn't have heart surgery.  I'm lucky to have such loving children", Dr. Nicolino remarked.