Our Medical Team
Directors
Jun Mitsumoto, MD, MPH
He, him, his
- Title: Medical Director
- Education: MD, MPH, Columbia University
- Training: Residency in Family Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center
- “Well-being is a challenging state of balance to achieve and maintain. People have different points of equilibrium and deal with many oppositional forces over time. I work to connect the dots between people's biological health and how they live their lives.”
Samuel “Sam” Hoelzle, RN
He, him, his
- Title: Director of Nursing
- Education: BSN, Hunter College
- Certifications: CBDCE
- “Well-being is learning a little more, laughing a little more, and caring for others a little more each day...”
Joquetta Paige, MD, MPH
She, her, hers
- Title: Associate Medical Director, Primary Care
- Education: MD, Temple University Medical School
- Training: Residency in Family Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center
- Certifications: Board Certified in Family Medicine
Virginia Robertson, MD, MScPH
She, her, hers
- Title: Associate Medical Director for GYN Health and Specialty
- Education: MD, SUNY at Buffalo; MSc, University of Edinburgh
- Training: Residency Program in Social Medicine/Family Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center
- Certifications: American Board of Family Medicine
- One Zone Certifications: Justice Zone
- SHC Clinical Team(s): GYN Health
- “To me, wellbeing is that sense of healthfulness and centeredness in one's social, physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual life, and the ability to 're-center' whenever needed.”
Primary Care
Jacqueline Bae, RN
She, her, hers
- Education: BSN, University of Virginia
- Languages: Korean
- “Well-being is the state of being healthy, safe, comfortable, and happy.”
Yarromi Romi Bassey, MD
He, him, his
- Education: BS, MB, University of Ibadan
- Training: Residency in Family Medicine, Highland Hospital
- Certifications: American Board of Family Medicine, Royal College of
- Obstetricians, Gynecologists UK
- “Well-being is perfect health of the Mind, Body and Soul with the ability to return back to that state if there is a temporary deviation.”
Katherine Bednarczyk, FNP-C
She, her, hers
- Education: BSN, MSN, Johns Hopkins University
- Certifications: Family Nurse Practitioner
- Languages: Polish, Intermediate Spanish
Elaine Berte, PA
She, her, hers
- Education: MS
- Training: Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine
- Certifications: NCCPA on certifying Physician Assistants
- “Well-being means self care. Adequate sleep, exercise, and a healthy diet. Seeking avenues for stress busting (e.g. yoga, meditation, reaching out to Counseling and Wellness when appropriate).”
Dominic Biney-Amissah, MD
He, him, his
Title: Staff Physician
- Education: MD, Rutgers University
- Training: Residency, St. Vincent's Hospital
- Certifications: Board Certified in Internal Medicine
- One Zone Certifications: Action Zone
Therese Bridges, MS, RDN, CDN
She, her, hers
Title: Registered Dietitian
- Education: MS, University of Alabama
- Training: Dietetic Internship, Lenoir-Rhyne University
- Certifications: Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Dietitian Nutritionist
- SHC Clinical Team(s): Eating Disorder
- “Well-being means nurturing our bodies and our minds with compassion, dedicated care/support, and intentionality. Being that my passion lies in nutrition, well-being also means providing ourselves with enjoyable food, a balance of nutrients, and movement that connects our minds and bodies.”
Axum Browne, MS Ed
She, her, hers
- Education: MS, St. John’s University
Hang Fong Kitty Chan, DO
She, her, hers
- Education: DO, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Training: Stony Brook University Medical Center
- Certifications: Family Medicine
- Languages: Cantonese
- “Well-being is not only a person's physical health, but mental and spiritual as well.”
Alina Climova, PA-C
They, them, theirs; She, her, hers
- Education: BS, SUNY Downstate
- Certifications: NCCPA Certification
- Languages: Russian
- SHC Clinical Team(s): Eating Disorder
- “Well-being is a state in which a person's internal (physical, emotional) and external (cultural, social, etc.) environment allows them to live a comfortable, healthy and satisfying life.”
Diana Corzen, LPN
She, her, hers
- “Well-being is being able to advocate for yourself and make informed choices.”
Cristine Correa, RN
She, her, hers
Title: Nurse Manager
- Education: AAS, BSN, Borough of Manhattan Community College
- Languages: Spanish
- “Well-being is the balance of the mind, body, and soul.”
April Fellers, RN, BSN
She, her, hers
Title: Nurse Manager, COVID-19 Prevention & Response Team
- Education: BA, UC San Diego; BS, Georgetown University
- SHC Clinical Team(s): Gender Team
- “Well-being relates to the perfect balance of nourishment for the mind, body, and soul. That perfect balance, and what fulfills each of those categories, looks different for everyone; for me, it's baking, reading books, spending time with my friends & family, doing yoga, eating good food, watching Broadway shows, and going on walks with my dog. What brings nourishment to you?”
Olivia Galetta, RN, BSN
She, her, hers
Title: Nurse Manager, COVID-19 Prevention & Response Team
- Education: BSN, Rutgers University
Dongsoo “Don” Han, MD
He, him, his
- Education: New York Medical College
- Training: Residency in Internal Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital
- Certifications: Board Certification in Internal Medicine
- Languages: Korean
- “Well-being is to be aware of your physical and emotional symptoms and to seek medical attention.”
Claudia Hudson, MD
She, her, hers
- Education: University of Bologna
- Training: Residency in Family Practice, Hunterdon Medical Center
- Certifications: Board Certified in Family Practice
- One Zone Certifications: Action Zone
- Languages: Italian
- SHC Clinical Team(s): Eating Disorder
- “Well-being is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices towards a healthy and fulfilling life. ”
Jasjot Kaur, RN
She, her, hers
- Education: BSN, New York University
- Languages: Punjabi
- “Well-being means feeling complete, happy, and healthy.”
Alyssa LaFosse, MPH
She, her, hers
Title: HIV Counselor/Sexual Health Educator
- Education: BA, University of California, Los Angeles; MPH, University of California, Berkeley
- Languages: Spanish
- SHC Clinical Team(s): Gender Team
- “Well-being means someone feels empowered, confident, and happy. I am passionate about giving people comprehensive and accurate information in a nonjudgmental and supportive manner so that they can make informed choices about their sexual health and feel good about their sexual lives.”
Jennifer “Jen” Lang, RN
She, her, hers
- Education: BSN, Columbia University
- Training: St. Luke’s Emergency Department - Externship; NYU Langone - Graduate Residency
- Certifications: BLS
- “Wellbeing is the balance of physical, psychological and spiritual health.”
Kate Mannion, FNP-BC
She, her, hers
- Education: BA, Grinnell College; BSN, Georgetown University; MS, Columbia University
- Certifications: BLS
- Languages: Spanish
- SHC Clinical Team(s): Gender Team
- “Well-being means being kind to yourself and others and living a balanced life.”
Jennifer Ongchin, DO
She, her, hers
Title: Staff Physician
- Education: BA, Columbia University; SOM, DO, Rowan
- Training: Yale Internal Medicine - Primary Care
- Certifications: Board Certified Internal Medicine
- One Zone Certifications: Action Zone
- SHC Clinical Team(s): Gender Team
Melanie Pabon, RN
She, her, hers
Title: Assistant Nurse Manager / Urgent Care
- Education: BSN
- “Well-being is health in mind and body.”
Angela Park, MD
She, her, hers
Title: Staff Physician
- Education: MD, SUNY Upstate Medical University
- Training: North Shore University Hospital
- Languages: Korean
- “Well-being means staying healthy emotionally and physically. ”
Manushka Paul, RN, BSN
She, her, hers
Title: Registered Nurse
- Education: BS, BA, New York University
- Languages: Haitian Creole
- “Well-being is the blessing of being fully present- physically, mentally, emotionally, & spiritually. It makes the soul smile.”
Barbara Pavelka, RN
- Education: RN Diploma in Nursing, Methodist Hospital School of Nursing
- Certifications: Certificate in Travel Health (CTH)
- Languages: Korean
Viviana Perdomo, RN
She, her, hers
- Languages: Spanish
- “Well-being is the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy.”
She, her, hers
Title: Medical Assistant
- Education: MA Certification, The New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants
- Training: All Women's Medical Of Queens
- Languages: Spanish
- “Well-being is being in a great place in your life.”
Anna Saporito, MD
She, her, hers
Title: Doctor
- Education: BA, Stanford University; MD, Mount Sinai
- Training: Internship, Swedish First Hill; Residency, Columbia Presbyterian
- Certifications: American Academy of Family Physicians
- Languages: Spanish, some French and Italian
- SHC Clinical Team(s): Gender Team
Zory Speights, RN
He, him, his
- Education: BSN, New York University; BS, University of Florida
- SHC Clinical Team(s): Gender Team
Julie Tomback, MD
She, her, hers
- Title: Staff Physician
- Education: BA, University of Pennsylvania; MD, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
- Training: Residency in Family Medicine, Hunterdon Medical Center Family Practice Residency
- “Well-being is an overall sense of satisfaction in all aspects of life.”
Luz Mary “Catalina” Velasco, LPN
She, her, hers
Title: Nurse
- Education: LaGuardia Community College
- Languages: Spanish
- “Well-being is a balance between Mind, Body, and Soul!”
Mernelis Velazquez, FNP-BC
She, her, hers
Title: FNP-BC
- Education: FNP, New York University
- Training: New York University, NYU Langone
- Certifications: ANCC Board Certification
- Languages: Spanish
- SHC Clinical Team(s): Eating Disorder
- “Well-being is when the mind, body, and sense of self are nourished by positive lifestyle behaviors that support one's ability to excel in daily responsibilities and live a happy and healthy life.”
Alina Wang, MD, MBA
She, her, hers
- Education: MD, University of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Training: Residency in Family and Community Medicine, Penn State
- Certifications: American Board of Family Medicine
- “Well-being is an evolving process and state of being, in body and mind, that alignswith greater balance, health, healing, fulfillment and connection to our highest self.”
Linda Wang, RN
She, her, hers
Title: Registered Nurse
- Education: RN, European University of Ireland
- Training: Neurology, Huashan Hospital
- “Well-being is the state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy.”
Specialty Care
Henry Birnbaum, MD
He, him, his
Title: Orthopedist
- Education: MD, New York University
- Training: Residency in rehabilitation medicine, NYUMC; fellowship in orthopedics, NYUMC
- Certifications: Diplomate, ABPMR
- “Well-being is health in body, mind, and spirit.”
Grayson Chao, PT, DPT, CSCS
He, him, his
Title: Manager, Physical Therapy Department
- Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy, NYU; PhD ABD, Nova Southeastern University
- Training: Institute of Physical Art, Maitland - PNF, Feldenkrais
- Certifications: CSCS, Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Oncology Rehabilitation Specialist
- SHC Clinical Team(s): Gender Team
- “Well-being means maximizing joy. When our bodies feel strong and healthy; when we feel connected as a people and are doing things that fulfill us intellectually and spiritually, I would view that person as being particularly joyful. Well-being to me is being in a place of joy--however that looks to you.”
Kate Lowenthal, MD
She, her, hers
Title: Dermatologist
- Education: MD, SUNY Buffalo
- Training: Dermatology Residency at SUNY Buffalo
- Certifications: FAAD
- “Well-being is taking care of the whole person, inside and out.”
Lisa Newman, MD
She, her, hers
Title: Endocrinologist
- Education: MD, New York University
- Training: Internal medicine residency, New York University; Endocrinology Fellowship, Mount Sinai
- Certifications: ABIM internal medicine, endocrinology
- “Well-being entails both physical and mental/emotional health and contentment.”
Kevin Eerkes, MD
He, him, his
Title: Sports Medicine Physician
- Education: MD, Howard University
- Training: Internal Medicine residency, University of Texas at Houston; Sports Medicine fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin
- Certifications: Sports Medicine
Deborah Weichenberg, MD
She, her, hers
Title: Allergist/Immunologist
- Education: MD, SUNY Downstate
- Training: Fellowship in Allergy & Immunology, Tufts New England Medical Center; Residency in Internal Medicine, Westchester County Medical Center
- Certifications: American Board of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; American Board of Internal Medicine Certificate in Travel Health International Society of Travel Medicine
- “Well-being is a combination of personal, societal and situational comfort.”