The Center's Team

• Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Physicians
  All Center physicians are board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology. Their extensive clinical training and decades of experience in dealing with the entire spectrum of childhood blood disorders and cancers have enabled them to blend the most effective therapies with the personal attention children and their families need to fight cancer.
  
  

  Mark E. Weinblatt, MD, Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology; Director, Cancer Center for Kids
  
  Philip Scimeca, MD, Associate Chief
  
  Igal Fligman, MD
  
  Bill Gerba, MD
  
  Naomi Moskowitz-Brooks, MD
  
  

  These doctors coordinate cancer surgery with Winthrop-University Hospital's highly skilled and experienced pediatric surgeons. Each patient's referring physician is included in the treatment plan and kept up-to-date about the child's treatment and progress.
  
  The Center also provides supportive services from a wide range of specialists, including a pediatric radiologist, an interventional radiologist, a pediatric pathologist, a pediatric radiotherapist, a cytogeneticist, a full coagulation laboratory, and a full service blood bank.
  
  The Cancer Center for Kids is located in the Winthrop Pediatric Medical Center, 120 Mineola Boulevard, together with the other pediatric specialists.
  
  
• Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses
  The majority of the Center’s nurses are certified in the subspecialty of Pediatric Oncology (CPON) as established by the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON). Their selfless dedication to the health and well-being of their patients and families reassures and comforts all those who cross our threshold.

  Sharon Coritsidis, RN, MSN, CPNP, CPON, Nurse Practitioner
  
  Kathleen Corneliess, RN, MA, CPON
  
  Maria Curtis, RN, BS, CPON
  
  Patricia Dunne-Martin, RN, BSN
  
  Jennifer Himmel, RN, BSN
  
  Stephanie Merkis, RN, BS
  
  Colleen Messmer, RN, BSN, CPON
  
  Cathy Shimmel, RN, MA, CPON, Nurse Manager
  
  Linda Skelly, RN, MS, CPON
  
  Jacqueline Valente, RN, BSN, CPN

• Clinical Psychologist
  The Center's clinical psychologist is trained in numerous subspecialties, including neuropsychological evaluations, cognitive remediation and rehabilitation, and pediatric critical and chronic illness.
  
  The psychologist assesses and meets each child's unique emotional needs, and addresses each family's special concerns through the Center’s many programs and support groups.

  Brianne Gruber, Psy.D

• Social Worker
  The Center's licensed social worker (LSCW) co-facilitates support groups in conjunction with other members of the psychosocial team, and makes certain that each patient’s educational needs continue to be met during treatment. When necessary, the Social Worker helps alleviate some of the non-medical burdens that arise by helping families find needed financial and other supportive assistance.

  Nancy Morreale, LCSW

• Child Life Specialist
  Through therapeutic play and developmentally age-appropriate education, the certified child life specialist (CCLS) helps alleviate fear and anxiety, making the children’s and families’ experience with illness as stress-free as possible.

  Kim Krupa, CCLS

• Creative Arts/Music Therapist
  The Center’s licensed Creative Arts/Music Therapist engages children through the universal language of music, and encourages them to express strong emotions about their experiences, fostering a sense of control and connection with the joy in their lives.

  Glenn Schifano, LCAT, CLS

  Members of the Cancer Center for Kids Team

  
  Mark Weinblatt, M.D.
  Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
  Director, Cancer Center for Kids

  Department:	Division of Hematology/Oncology
  Specialty:	Hematology/Oncology
  Address:	120 Mineola Blvd., Suite 460 Mineola, New York 11501
  Phone:	(516) 663-9400
  Fax:	(516) 663-9480
  Email:	mweinbla@winthrop.org
  Certification:	Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics Pediatric Hematology/Oncology American Board of Pediatrics
  Medical School:	Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  Pediatric Residency:	Bronx Municipal Hospital Center/Bronx
  Fellowship:	Children's Hospital of Los Angeles Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

  
  
  Philip Scimeca, M.D.
  Associate Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

  Department:	Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
  Specialty:	Hematology/Oncology
  Address:	120 Mineola Blvd., Suite 460 Mineola, New York 11501
  Phone:	(516) 663-9400
  Fax:	(516) 663-9480
  Email:	pscimeca@winthrop.org
  Certification:	Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics Pediatric Hematology/Oncology American Board of Pediatrics
  Medical School:	Georgetown University
  Pediatric Residency:	North Shore University Hospital
  Fellowship:	North Shore University Hospital Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

  
  
  Igal Fligman, M.D.
  

  Department:	Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
  Specialty:	Hematology/Oncology
  Address:	120 Mineola Blvd., Suite 460 Mineola, New York 11501
  Phone:	(516) 663-9400
  Fax:	(516) 663-9480
  Email:	ifligman@winthrop.org
  Certification:	Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics; Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, American Board of Pediatrics
  Medical School:	Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  Pediatric Residency:	Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  Fellowship:	Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center/ New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

  
  
  Bill Gerba, M.D.

  Department:	Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
  Specialty:	Hematology/Oncology
  Address:	120 Mineola Blvd., Suite 460 Mineola, New York 11501
  Phone:	(516) 663-9400
  Fax:	(516) 663-9480
  Certification:	Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics; Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, American Board of Pediatrics
  Medical School:	Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  Pediatric Residency:	Montefiore Hospital/Bronx
  Fellowship:	Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center/New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

  
  
  Naomi Moskowitz-Brooks, M.D.

  Department:	Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
  Specialty:	Hematology/Oncology
  Address:	120 Mineola Blvd., Suite 460 Mineola, New York 11501
  Phone:	(516) 663-9400
  Fax:	(516) 663-9480
  Email:	nmoskowitz@winthrop.org
  Certification:	Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics; Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, American Board of Pediatrics
  Medical School:	Cornell University Medical College
  Pediatric Residency:	New York University Medical Center
  Fellowship:	New York University Medical Center Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

  
  
  Brianne Gruber, Psy.D

  Department:	Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
  Address:	120 Mineola Blvd., Suite 460 Mineola, New York 11501
  Phone:	(516) 663-8818
  Fax:	(516) 663-9480
  Email:	bgruber@winthrop.org
  Education:	Hofstra University
  Internship:	Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop University Hospital

  
  
  Sharon Coritsidis, RN, MSN, CPNP, CPON

  Department:	Department: Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
  Specialty:	Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Certified in Pediatric Oncology
  Address:	120 Mineola Blvd., Suite 460 Mineola, New York 11501
  Phone:	(516) 663-9400
  Fax:	(516) 663-9480
  Email:	sgreutker@winthrop.org
  Education:	Adelphi University, BA, MA Molloy-New York, post-graduate