WATERBURY SURGERY CENTER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Fellow of the American Board of Ophthalmology
Dr. Cinthia Covey is a board-certified ophthalmologist practicing general ophthalmology with a particular interest in small incision cataract surgery and the treatment of glaucoma. She received her undergraduate degree with honors from Harvard University and then graduated from Yale University School of Medicine, where she was elected to the medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. She completed her ophthalmology residency at the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at Yale.
Dr. Covey is a fellow of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a member of the Connecticut Society of Eye Physicians.
In her free time, Dr. Covey enjoys theater, photography and traveling. She is married and has four wonderful children.
Job Titles:
- Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Yale University School of Medicine
- Specialist
Dr. Craig Sklar, a specialist in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous, received his undergraduate degree from Haverford College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. After completing his residency in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at Yale University School of Medicine, Dr. Sklar pursued advanced training in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at Harvard University, the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and the Joslin Clinic. He has since lectured extensively on retinal disease and has been elected to the American Society of Retina Specialists. Dr. Sklar has been recognized as one of the "Best Doctors in America" for over ten consecutive years as well as by the New York Eye Bank for his work in establishing an eye donation program.
Currently, Dr. Sklar is an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Yale University School of Medicine. He is president of both the Connecticut Retina Association and the Yale Alumni in Ophthalmology Association. Dr. Sklar also served on the Executive Committee of the Connecticut Society of Eye Physicians. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Medical Association. He also serves on the board of several non-profit charitable and educational organizations.
Dr. Sklar is an avid Mets, Knicks, and Jets fan. He enjoys fitness sports, swimming, theater, and reading. His major interest is life with his family: his wife, two adult children, and rescue dog.
Dr. Danielle Rudich is a board certified ophthalmologist who specializes in neuro-ophthalmology as well as comprehensive ophthalmology. A native of Fairfield, Connecticut, she graduated summa cum laude from Barnard College, and is a graduate of The University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She completed her ophthalmology residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, followed by a subspecialty fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology at Columbia University Medical Center. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles and textbook chapters, and is a member of both the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. Dr. Rudich is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at Yale University.
Dr. Rudich enjoys playing tennis, traveling, theater and spending time with her family.
Dr. Rodin's training has included the treatment of athletes at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. He has provided orthopaedic services at the Carlos Otis Stratton Mountain Clinic in Vermont, as well as medical coverage for the PGA tour. He currently serves as the team physician for Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, a position he has held since 2002.
Eric Olson was born in New Haven, CT, but grew up in Wilmington, Delaware. After graduating from The Tatnall School, he attended Princeton University on a four-year Army ROTC scholarship. There he studied biology, graduating Magna Cum Laude and earning the Superior Cadet award in his class. He attended Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, gaining his MD degree in 1984. There he met and married his classmate Dr. Beatriz R. Olson. They went to the University of Pittsburgh for seven years of graduate medical education. Dr. Olson served as a house officer for two years of General Surgery and then performed a year of orthopaedic laboratory research, including investigations into artificial ligament biocompatabilty and spine biomechanics. He completed three years of orthopaedic residency followed by a year of sports medicine fellowship with Drs. Freddie Fu and Chris Harner.
After completing his training, Dr. Olson served in the US Army for four years as chief of Sports Medicine at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington, D.C. He was deployed to Haiti for six months during 1994-1995 with the 28th Combat Support Hospital.
Dr. Olson joined Waterbury Orthopaedic Associates in 1995. His interests have evolved to include shoulder, knee and hip arthroscopy and replacement surgery. He has introduced new surgical techniques to the Waterbury region including arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in 1999 and reverse total shoulder replacements in 2009. Dr. Olson is active in the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the New England Shoulder and Elbow Society. He was named a "Top Doc" by Connecticut Magazine in 2003, 2007 and 2009-2014.
He and his wife have shared interest in finding ways that traditional western medicine and complementary techniques can work together to enhance a person's well-being. Dr. Olson has volunteered as team physician for the Naugatuck High School football team since 1995.
Dr. Olson enjoys flying and is an instrument rated pilot. His favorite sports include frisbee, tennis, skiing, kiteboarding, body surfing and walking. Beatriz and he live in Middlebury and have two daughters in college.
Dr. Joel Geffin is a board certified ophthalmologist. He completed a fellowship in diseases and surgery of the cornea, the external window of the eye, and refractive surgery, which corrects the eye's ability to focus. Dr. Geffin's special surgical skills include LASIK, corneal transplants including DSAEK, keratoprosthesis, and cataract surgery.
Dr. Geffin received his undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Chicago and his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He completed his ophthalmology residency training at Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Geffin then went on to California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, where he specialized in corneal and refractive surgery during his fellowship. Dr. Geffin does extensive dry eye research and has published work in a major ophthalmic textbook. He is the past president of the New England Ophthalmology Society.
Dr. Geffin was born in London, England and grew up in suburban Boston. He is married with two children and enjoys all forms of outdoor activities including biking, fishing, kayaking, mountaineering, and sailing.
Job Titles:
- Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Specialist
Dr. Silbert, a specialist in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids, orbits, face, and lacrimal system, grew up in the St. Louis area. He received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at the University of California, Berkeley in 1990 and returned to St. Louis, where he obtained a combined Medical and Masters Degree from Washington University in 1995. Subsequently, he completed his internship and ophthalmology residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. After two years in private practice as a general ophthalmologist and clinical instructor with the Washington University Department of Ophthalmology, he completed a fellowship in oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Oklahoma Dean A. McGee Eye Institute. He joined The Eye Care Group in the spring of 2002.
Dr. Silbert is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and regularly participates as a course instructor in small incision oculoplastic surgery at the Academy's annual meeting. He is a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and the Connecticut Society of Eye Physicians. Since 2002, Dr. Silbert has also been a Clinical Instructor in the Yale Department of Ophthalmology, and for the last 7 years he has been Section Chief of the Department of Ophthalmology at St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury.
Dr. Silbert and his family are avid St. Louis sports fans. They enjoy bicycling, baseball and traveling in their free time.
Dr. Bhaya received his medical training at The University of Bombay, India. He then completed his Otolaryngology training in Bombay, followed by a one-year fellowship at the International Hearing Foundation, University of Minnesota. He completed his General Surgery internship and Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York in 2003, and was Board Certified in 2004.
Dr. Bhaya's areas of interest include otology, head and neck surgery, and facial plastic surgery.
Dr. Schiff, a native of Connecticut, graduated Cum Laude from Dartmouth College before traveling to Boston, Massachusetts for his medical training. He received his Medical Doctorate degree from Tufts University School of Medicine and completed his General Surgery internship at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. He completed his Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery residency at The New England Medical Center in Boston in 1996. After graduating, he returned to Connecticut to practice and has been Board Certified since 1997.
Dr. Schiff's areas of expertise include advanced techniques in endoscopic sinus surgery, including minimally invasive techniques and balloon sinuplasty, microscopic surgery for chronic ear disease and voice disorders, pediatric surgery, thyroid surgery, facial cancer surgery, surgery for nasal obstruction and sleep apnea, and management of environmental allergy.
Job Titles:
- Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
Dr. Peter Branden joined The Eye Care Group in 1991 and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma in adults and children. He received his B.A. with Honors from John Hopkins University and received his medical degree from Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons. After his internship at New York University Medical Center, Dr. Branden completed his residency in the Department of Ophthalmology at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and pursued advanced fellowship training in glaucoma at the University of Miami, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.
He is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Yale University School of Medicine and Attending Consultant at the Glaucoma Clinic at the Veterans' Administration Medical Center in West Haven, Connecticut, where he teaches residents. Dr. Branden is a founding member of the Connecticut Glaucoma Society, and has served on the Executive Committee of the Connecticut Society of Eye Physicians. As a member of the volunteer organization ORBIS International, he traveled to Nigeria, where he instructed local ophthalmologists in glaucoma diagnosis, management, and surgical techniques. He has been recognized for many consecutive years as one of the "Best Doctors in America" and by Connecticut Magazine as one of Connecticut's "Top Doctors."
Dr. Branden is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and participates in glaucoma and medication research studies. His areas of professional interest include diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, particularly complex management cases, and cataract surgery.
Recreationally, Dr. Branden is a pianist who plays and composes music. He also enjoys biking, skiing, and playing bridge. He and his wife have a son and daughter.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Association of Arthritic Hip
Dr. Matza is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon with specialty training in surgery of the hand and for arthritis of major joints including the hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, hand, and foot. He received his Doctor of Medicine Degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and completed his internship and residency in general surgery at the Tufts New England Medical Center Hospital in Boston.
He completed his specialty training in orthopaedic surgery at both Tufts and Harvard University affiliated hospitals in Boston. Dr. Matza also received special training in reconstructive joint surgery for arthritis in Boston at the New England Baptist Hospital under the auspices of many notable reconstructive orthopaedic surgeons. He also received specialty training in rheumatoid hand surgery in Boston with Dr. Edward Nalebuff and Dr. Lewis Millender, and traumatic reconstructive hand surgery in New York City with Dr. William Littler and Dr. Richard Eaton.
Dr. Matza is a charter member of the Association of Arthritic Hip and Knee Surgeons, and is a member of the New England Hand Society, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Society on Aging, the Waterbury Medical Association, and the Connecticut State Medical Society.
Dr. Matza regularly participates in nationwide lectures, seminars, educational programs, and medical conferences in order to provide the latest treatments. He has authored numerous articles in the orthopaedic literature including a book chapter on reconstructive surgery of the knee.
Dr. Matza is dedicated to the treatment of the arthritic knee and hip and to the orthopaedic treatment of major sports and hand injuries. He performs approximately one hundred hip, knee, and shoulder replacements per year, including revision hip and knee replacement surgery.
In practice since 1978, Dr. Matza utilizes the newest techniques and developments in his field. This includes joint replacements of the hip and knee utilizing the MIS (minimally invasive surgery) technique. MIS entails operating with specially designed instruments that allow a joint replacement to be done through an incision as small as two and a half inches, the average being four inches.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Clinical Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation With the Yale School of Medicine
Dr. Hendrikson is a graduate of Georgetown Medical School. He went on to take his residency in general surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital followed by his residency in orthopaedic surgery also at Yale New Haven Hospital. He has further training with a one year fellowship in hand surgery at New York University School of Medicine where he worked with two world-renowned hand surgeons at several hospitals including New York University Hospital and Bellevue Hospital and was also a team physician for the New York Yankees Baseball team and the New York Islanders Hockey team.
Dr. Hendrikson is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, a member of the New England Hand Society, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has taken a subspecialty examination giving him "added qualifications in surgery of the hand."
Dr. Hendrikson is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation with the Yale School of Medicine as well as a consultant in hand surgery at the West Haven Veteran's Administration Hospital. He is Chief in Orthopaedic Surgery at Waterbury Hospital.
Dr. Hendrikson donates his time to the former Russian republics of Estonia and Latvia where he instructs, demonstrates and lectures orthopaedic and plastic surgeons in new surgical techniques. Dr. Hendrikson has been on the staff at Waterbury Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital since 1983.
Dr. Leventhal is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. Dr. Leventhal did his Gastroenterology and Hepatology training at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Dr. Cronin specializes in pediatric eye care and adult motility disorders. Raised in Madison, Connecticut, she graduated from Yale University in 2000, and completed her medical school and ophthalmology residency training at the University of Pittsburgh. In 2009, she completed her fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Cronin is a board-certified member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and is a member of both the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and the Connecticut Society of Eye Physicians. As a Clinical Instructor at Yale University, she enjoys teaching the ophthalmology residents. Dr. Cronin studies the treatment of common childhood eye conditions as an investigator with the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group, and has published her research on nystagmus in the Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. She brings a warm bedside manner to her blend of diagnostic and surgical skills.
Dr. Cronin enjoys running, tennis, playing the piano, and spending time with her husband and sons, Liam and Luke.
Dr. Rockoff is board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. Dr. Rockoff did his Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Instructor at Yale University School of Medicine
Dr. Kostina is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in neuro-ophthalmology, comprehensive ophthalmology, cataract surgery, and administration of Botox® for medical and cosmetic procedures. She graduated with honors from the Medical Academy of Moscow, Russia and completed her residency in ophthalmology at SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Dr. Kostina is a Clinical Instructor at Yale University School of Medicine in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science. She lectures to ophthalmology residents on various topics related to neuro-ophthalmology. Dr. Kostina is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and a member of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, the New England Ophthalmological Society, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. She was nominated as one of America's Top Ophthalmologists in 2015 and was selected by her peers as a Best Doctor in New Haven Living Magazine for 2015-2016.
Dr. Kostina is a dedicated mother of two daughters. She enjoys reading, walking, traveling and classical music.