FRIEDMAN CENTER - Key Persons
Alexa works collaboratively with Dr. Smith in both the OR and office settings to provide patients with the quality, compassionate care they deserve. She provides support., guidance, and reassurance to breast cancer patients throughout their reconstructive journey. Alexa maintains a direct and open line of communication with patients to make sure that their clinical (and non-clinical) concerns are immediately addressed throughout their surgical journey. Alexa enjoys exploring NYC with friends, an avid peloton rider, and enjoys spending time with family.
Allyson assists Dr. Capece in all aspects of clinical breast care. She helps patients to understand their test results and diagnosis and is a critical part of the team for post-operative follow-ups and exams. Alyson loves being able to help patients and provides a personalized approach for the best care possible, making sure every patient's concerns are addressed. In her spare time, she loves reading, hiking and paddleboarding.
Brianna loves interacting with patients and people in her workspace who are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. She spends much of her time coordinating with the many clinical specialties involved in breast cancer care. She takes pride in ensuring that patients are well taken care of and helps navigate their needs. When not at work, Brianna enjoys listening to music, journaling, and painting.
Cindy takes great pride in assisting Dr. Reyes in surgeries. She also plays a supporting role in the office to provide patient care and understands that meeting a patient right after receiving their diagnosis can be a very emotional time. She makes every effort to establish a personal connection with her patients to ensure an open line of communication throughout their journey. In her spare time, Cindy enjoys reading, running, and spending time outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Burglia
- Burglia, Senior Surgical Coordinator
Dea is Surgical Coordinator "extraordinaire" to Dr. Kasabian, whom she has worked with since 2014. She strives to make each patient's experience positive by providing them with personal attention from their first appointment to their last. When she's not at work making patients' lives a little better, she's putting the same level of care and attention into her farm to table cooking and spending time with her family.
Dominique is our Surgical & Patient Coordinator and an integral part of the team that strives to provide an exceptional patient experience. Having previously worked as a medical assistant, Dominique's healthcare experience has prepared her to support women as they navigate through various aspects of their surgical journeys. Her compassion, positive attitude, and optimism make her an indispensable member of Dr. Tanna's team. Dominique works tirelessly to provide patients with personalized attention to make sure all of their needs are met. From scheduling appointments to coordination of surgeries, Dominique goes above and beyond to find creative ways to accommodate all patients. She works closely with Dr. Tanna and the entire clinical team to ensure patients and their families feel connected at all times. Her commitment to each patient makes her an invaluable asset to the team.
Donna has been working with Dr. Leipziger for over a decade. She brings a positive attitude to work each day, and she loves collaborating with her fellow teammates to provide an exceptional patient experience. From scheduling to charting, Donna handles administrative details so that the reconstruction journey can be just a bit smoother. She loves baking, photography, and needlepoint.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Plastic Surgery at Southside Hospital
- Expert
Dr. Adam Perry is an expert in reconstructive breast surgery and a board-certified plastic surgeon. He believes his job as a physician is to bring hope to the women he works with-along with outstanding clinical outcomes.
A physician acts as an important advisor to help patients make decisions, so it's imperative that the patient-physician relationship is based on trust. Dr. Perry understands the importance of establishing trust, and he works to make his patients feel as comfortable as possible: providing reassurance, alleviating concerns, and being accessible 24/7 to answer questions.
Dr. Perry is also passionate about incorporating cutting-edge technology into his surgical procedures. This includes microsurgical breast reconstruction, the technique currently at the forefront of breast surgery. By staying up to date with the latest trends in the field, he can offer patients the greatest number of options and the most advanced solutions possible.
Dr. Perry believes patient relationships are strongest when everybody listens to, learns from, and communicates with one another. He incorporates this two-way exchange at every level of his practice and is proud of his continued growth as a caring, compassionate provider.
At Northwell Health, the Friedman Center's partner health system, Dr. Perry also serves as the Chief of Plastic Surgery at Southside Hospital.
"Dr. Perry is genuine. He was consistently committed to treating me as a whole person, emotionally and physically. My husband and I both experienced Dr. Perry's exceptional care during every interaction from my intake to my hospital stay to my 3 month follow up."
Education
Fellowship in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University
Residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles
Residency in General Surgery, Medical College of Georgia
MD, Thomas Jefferson University Medical College
BA in History, University of Georgia
Dr. Alexandra Capece is a board-certified breast surgeon who works to provide a concierge level of care for each of her patients. She offers women personalized treatment options, uses the latest developments in breast cancer care, and strives to make every patient feel comfortable.
Dr. Capece specializes in oncoplastic procedures and wants to help patients feel confident in their bodies post-surgery. As far back as she can remember, Dr. Capece wanted to be a physician. She was drawn to the operating room from a young age.
Dr. Capece chose to work with breast cancer patients because she found inspiration in their strength and resilience. She's proud to work within the Northwell Health network to ensure patients receive high-quality care in every aspect of their treatment.
"[It was] my first time seeing Dr Capece, and she was wonderful. She listened to my concerns and questions, and that made me feel good."
Education
Fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Dr. Armen Kasabian brings a wealth of knowledge and surgical experience to the Friedman Center. A board-certified plastic surgeon, he specializes in microsurgery and other cutting-edge techniques for breast reconstruction. Dr. Kasabian is also a leader and mentor at Northwell Health, the Friedman Center's health system partner.
Dr. Kasabian loves his work; he finds great joy in the positive impact he can make on a patient's life. Particularly drawn to large, complex cases, he provides keen analysis of a patient's individual situation and then helps her make choices that are the best match for her needs.
Dr. Kasabian also uses his skills to help those in need. He volunteers with Healing the Children and Medical Missions for Children, organizations which provide children all over the world with much-needed medical care. He is fluent in Armenian as well as English.
Dr. Cindy Cen believes in patient care that is collaborative and comprehensive. A board-certified breast surgical oncologist, her approach combines surgical expertise with a commitment to helping every patient feel at ease. She is experienced at treating breast cancer and is skilled in surgical techniques to improve cosmetic outcomes including breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), skin and nipple sparing mastectomy, and oncoplastic techniques.
Dr. Cen recognizes that patients are more confident in their treatment plan when they can be involved in every decision they need to make. To alleviate the concern and anxiety patients sometimes feel, she focuses on making sure patients know the details of their diagnosis and understand the choices they have going forward.
Dr. Cen actively contributes her time and knowledge through institutional and community service. She was an ambassador at the NYU School of Medicine and a member of the Residents as Teachers committee in Manhasset, NY. She has also volunteered at Harvard-Radcliffe Chinatown Afterschool and the Women's Health Clinic at the New York City Free Clinic. In addition to English, Dr. Cen is fluent in Cantonese.
As a Friedman Center physician, Dr. Cen is honored to provide patients an integrated and supportive experience through their entire breast cancer journey.
"Dr. Cen was very warm and knowledgeable. She had all my tests etc. and had reviewed my file prior to visit. Very prepared and listened well to our concerns and questions. She was wonderful."
Education
Fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology, NYU School of Medicine
Residency in General Surgery, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University
MD, New York University School of Medicine
AB, Harvard College
Dr. Denis Knobel joins the Friedman Center with a passion for cutting-edge technology in oncologic surgery. He's a board-certified plastic surgeon who focuses on the highest quality aesthetics in breast reconstruction.
Dr. Knobel believes that plastic surgery is crucial to recovery for cancer patients, helping minimize the physical effects of their cancer after surgery. He views the future of breast reconstruction as both having the technical knowledge to perform complex procedures like the DIEP flap and the ability to reconstruct the breast to its ideal aesthetic form.
A firm believer in giving back, Dr. Knobel also donates his time and expertise as a volunteer. He's an avid supporter and visiting physician for the Medical Mission for Children in Quito, Ecuador.
"Dr. Knobel was very knowledgeable. He took his time explaining what I needed to understand. I would highly recommend Dr. Knobel & his staff."
Education
Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Wound Healing Research, Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
Research Fellowship in General Surgery, North Shore LIJ
Fellowship in Microsurgery, New York University Medical Center
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at Albany Medical Center
Dr. Joseph Ricci approaches every patient interaction with attention and care. He helps patients feel confident about their treatment plans by clearly explaining every step of the breast cancer journey. Dr. Ricci blends this compassionate approach with deep expertise in plastic surgery and microsurgery. He is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive training from Weill Cornell Medical College, Harvard Medical School, and NYU School of Medicine.
Dr. Ricci is also a prolific researcher; he has contributed to over 60 publications and is a frequent presenter at industry-leading conferences and events. His research delves into the latest microsurgery techniques and also includes work on the impact of broader cultural factors, such as social media platforms, on patients. Dr. Ricci sees research as an avenue to staying on the leading edge of plastic surgery and patient care.
Dr. Ricci has been an Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at Albany Medical Center and Montefiore Medical Center. He is currently an Assistant Professor and the Associate Residency Program Director of Plastic Surgery at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University.
"Dr. Ricci is an amazing doctor. I have been his patient for 5 years and followed him to Northwell. I travel almost 3 hours for him to still be my doctor because he is so good. I trust him completely."
Education
Fellowship in Microsurgery, NYU School of Medicine
Residency in Plastic Surgery, Harvard Medical School
Research Assistant, Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College at Cornell University
MD, Weill Cornell Medical College at Cornell University
BA in Biology, New York University
Dr. Smith is a pioneer in microsurgery, breast reconstruction, and lymphatic surgery. A board-certified plastic surgeon, he brings over 20 years of surgical experience to the Friedman Center, where he also serves as Executive Director.
While his innovative methods have established him as an international leader in breast reconstruction, Dr. Smith's primary focus has always been the patient experience. He understands the intimate and personal nature of reconstructive surgery and is deeply committed to helping every woman confidently make the right decisions for her body. At the Friedman Center, Dr. Smith strives to provide holistic patient care that supports a woman at every stage of her journey to healing and wholeness.
Honored by numerous publications as a Top Doctor in plastic surgery and the recipient of multiple Patient Choice Awards, Dr. Smith most recently was awarded the Northwell Health Patient Choice Award. This award recognizes the top 15 physicians among Northwell Health's more than 3000 physicians for providing the most positive experience for their patients.
Dr. Smith's passion for helping others has also included volunteering with non-profit organizations around the world to educate local physicians in new techniques and to perform advanced reconstructive surgeries.
Dr. Smith holds several administrative positions at Northwell Health, including:
Director of Reconstructive Oncology for Northwell Health Cancer Institute
System-wide Vice Chair of Surgery for Northwell Health System
Vice President of Northwell Health's Surgical Services for Nassau and Suffolk Counties
Professor of Surgery at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.
"Dr. Smith is one of the best doctors I have ever met. He's so professional, very patient and answered all of my concerns."
Education
Fellowship in Craniofacial/Pediatric Plastic Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine
Fellowship in Microsurgery/Oncologic Reconstruction, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Chief Resident in Plastic Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Residency in Surgery and Plastic Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
MD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Dr. Susan Palleschi leads with compassion when it comes to supporting women with breast cancer. She is a board-certified surgeon who has over two decades of expertise in breast surgery, including oncology techniques such as breast conservation surgery, nipple sparing and skin sparing mastectomy, and sentinel node biopsy. She also takes special interest in patients with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer. She sees patients for the evaluation and treatment of benign breast diseases and also takes a special interest in patients with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer.
Dr. Palleschi believes that knowledge is power. She works to equip her patients with a comprehensive understanding of their diagnosis and options and provides detailed explanations of what they can expect every step of the way. She strives to be available to meet patient needs whenever they arise and offers each woman her undivided attention at each visit from initial consultation and into survivorship.
A breast surgeon specialist for more than 20 years, Dr. Palleschi prioritizes excellent patient care, strong collegiate relationships, and opportunities for ongoing professional growth-she is committed to never stop learning.
Dr. Palleschi provides comprehensive care at the Friedman Center and will work with your entire interdisciplinary medical team to provide an all-inclusive approach to your care. She is also the Director of Breast Surgery at Glen Cove hospital.
"Dr. Palleschi is sent from heaven. She gives her patients undivided attention. Her calming and caring demeanor made a world of difference to me at the scariest time of my life."
Education
Residency in General Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University
Internship in General Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University
MD, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, State University of New York
BA, University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Victor Moon takes great pride in helping patients make informed and confident decisions about their own care. He is continually seeking ways to be of greater service, whether through empowering patients, volunteering his time and expertise, or continuing his own education.
Dr. Moon enjoys working as part of a team to achieve excellent results for his patients. He sees his patients as important contributors to that team effort, and he offers his patients the education and information they need to help choose the treatment options that are right for them.
Dr. Moon has traveled and studied internationally to learn the latest methods in microsurgery and reconstruction. He has also spent time in South Korea and Taiwan to train in plastic surgery specifically for the Asian figure. Dr. Moon is also fluent in Korean and Spanish.
Dr. Moon volunteers internationally with nonprofit Medical Missions, which provides access to quality healthcare around the world. Locally, he engages with the community through the WeKare Health Fair, which provides free healthcare to the uninsured Korean community.
He is board-certified in plastic surgery and serves as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Dr. Moon also serves as the Chief of Plastic Surgery at Glen Cove Hospital.
"Dr. Moon was extremely professional. He answered all my questions completely and was very reassuring."
Education
Fellowship in Hand and Microsurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin
Fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center
Fellowship in Colon and Rectal Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital
Residency in General Surgery, Staten Island University Hospital
MD, State University of New York Upstate Medical University College of Medicine
She loves working with women who want to play an active role in the decision-making process. Dr. Sieczka makes sure that each patient has answers to their questions to help them make informed and confident decisions.
Dr. Sieczka empowers patients with the information they need to feel confident about their breast reconstruction. She recognizes that knowing what to expect before, during, and after surgery is essential to helping women feel as prepared as possible for their procedures.
She also knows how stressful the process of breast cancer treatment and breast reconstruction can be. Dr. Sieczka and her team offer patients encouragement and support through their entire journey.
Dr. Sieczka is board-certified in plastic surgery and is a member of the New York Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the State Medical Society of New York.
"I am thrilled with the results of the surgeries I had done by Dr. Sieczka! Her calm, reassuring way and caring manner made this surgical process event-free!"
Education
Fellowship in Head and Neck Surgery, Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Washington University at St. Louis School of Medicine
Job Titles:
- Senior Nurse Practitioner
Emily is a Senior Nurse Practitioner working with Dr. Tanna. Emily has extensive clinical experience caring for patients before, during, and after surgery. She believes that true patient centered care should been individualized and tailored to each individual to ensure best possible outcomes. Emily is known for her warm demeanor and compassionate care and enjoys getting to know her patients. Emily has a lot of nieces and nephews and enjoys spending time with them. She also loves to travel and is an avid fisher!
Job Titles:
- Student Research Fellowship - New York Academy of Medicine
Graziella is a surgical coordinator, working with Dr. Cen. She is an integral part of the team as she helps coordinate with a large multidisciplinary team of breast care specialists necessary to provide excellent patient care. Graziella enjoys meeting new patients and understanding how she can best help them through their journey. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and is proud to have a Bachelors degree in Speech Language Pathology.
Jaclyn has been working alongside of Dr. Palleschi for over a decade since 2011. She works closely with Dr. Palleschi through all aspects of patient care from diagnosis to test results, to post-op follow up exams and into survivorship. Jaclyn enjoys getting to know her patients in an effort to deliver the best personalized care during a difficult time. She is a trained classical singer and enjoys watching her daughters play sports and loves Disney World.
Jessica helps patients to have a positive experience by coordinating surgeries with multiple hospitals and surgery centers, obtaining prior authorizations, confirming and scheduling post-operative appointments. She is available for patients to reach out to her with any questions or concerns. Jessica loves taking care of her plants and spending time with her dog, family, and friends and loves to travel.
Jessica is a Physician's Assistant (PA) for Dr. Denis Knobel at the Friedman Center. She loves working with breast cancer patients and supporting the rewarding results of restoring patient's self-confidence. She creates and maintains an open line of communication with patients and is proactive in their care. Jessica enjoys working out, activities outdoors in nature, and spending time with family.
Joan is a registered nurse and a key member of Dr. Leipziger's surgical team. She works with patients to ensure seamless, coordinated care from initial diagnosis to final follow-up appointments. Joan is proud to do her part in continually improving the patient experience. When not at work, Joan is spending time with her family.
Kahre's main focus is meeting the needs of her patients when it comes to scheduling appointments, obtaining medical records, and coordinating surgeries. She loves to help others and demonstrates empathy and compassion to all of her patients to help them feel comfortable from the time of their first visit. She loves spending time with her two daughters and enjoys cooking and dancing.
Katherine (Katie) has been working with Dr. Tanna since 2017, caring for patients before, during, and after surgery. She is an excellent patient resource and strives to provide patients with optimal experiences as well as excellent outcomes. Katie believes strong relationships are based on communication and makes herself available to speak with patients whenever possible. She is an avid runner and yogi.
Kelly enjoys working with her patients and finds it gratifying to see women transform through breast surgery. She enjoys working in the operating room alongside Dr. Shikowitz-Behr and finds it equally rewarding to see patients before and after surgery in the office. In her spare time, Kelly enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Kelly enjoys building relationships with her patients, from the time of initial diagnosis until their reconstruction is complete. She works to help patients feel comfortable and informed during each and every visit-whether taking them through a stressful situation or listening to their concerns. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys running, spending time with her family and her dog, and singing at her church.
Dr. Lauren Shikowitz-Behr is passionate about supporting and empowering patients before, during, and after breast reconstruction surgery. She is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has trained in the most up-to-date reconstruction techniques.
Inspired by the women she helps, Dr. Shikowitz-Behr is dedicated to providing the best possible patient experience. She shows great compassion for her patients, and her warm demeanor helps women feel supported in even the most challenging circumstances.
Dr. Shikowitz-Behr routinely gives back to her local community and has volunteered at the Cystic Fibrosis Center at St. Vincent's Medical Center. A natural leader, she also co-founded Teens Against Cancer (TAC), to raise funds and awareness for cancer.
She is proud to be a part of the Friedman Center and to represent the future of breast reconstruction and patient-focused care.
"Dr. Shikowitz was just amazing. She listened to me, took her time explaining & has exceptional bedside manner!"
Education
Fellowship in Reconstructive and Aesthetic Breast Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital
Residency in Integrated Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Chief Resident, Hofstra University
MD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
BA, New York University
Maria has been assisting Dr. Kasabian with preoperative and postoperative patient care since 2015. Although she finds working in the operating room very rewarding, she also loves speaking with and listening to patients and their families. Maria is the Friedman Center's resident specialist in 3-D nipple areola tattooing for breast reconstruction. She enjoys cooking, traveling, and quality time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Senior Surgical Coordinator
When Marilyn comes to work each day, her primary focus is meeting patients' needs. From confirming insurance authorizations to organizing care plans, Marilyn helps coordinate all aspects of surgical preparation. The best part of her job is supporting women through the difficult journey of breast reconstruction. Outside of work, Marilyn enjoys camping and spending time in the great outdoors.
Monica has been working with Dr. Denis Knobel since 2018. She loves helping women through the entire patient journey. Monica knows that even small acts can make a difference in a patient's day. She helps schedule patient surgeries and appointments, coordinate external resources, and answer any questions. When she's not at the office, Monica enjoys nature walks, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Nicole strives to improve the patient experience each and every day by getting to know her patients in advance and assisting them with scheduling. She loves helping people and takes pride in making sure that each patient is educated and understands their next steps and surgical plan before they leave the office. Nicole loves spending time with her two god daughters and listening to country music. She has been to over 30 concerts so far!
Nicolette has been working in various positions for Northwell Health for several years. She is a lead surgical coordinator who helps schedule procedures for Dr. Palleschi, Dr. Tanna, and Dr. Smith. Nicolette loves helping her patients through the process to ensure a smooth experience and strives to make a positive and long- lasting impression on each and every patient encounter. Nicolette makes it a priority to give back and dedicates her spare time to serving the community. She also enjoys traveling with her family, learning about other cultures, art and most of all….karaoke!
Renata welcomes patients to the Friedman Center by listening to their needs and addressing their concerns. She smooths the way for reconstruction surgery by coordinating appointments, communicating with patients, and obtaining all the necessary authorizations and clearances. Renata has lived all over the world: Warsaw, Poland; Cape Town, South Africa, London, UK, and now New York!
Job Titles:
- Director of Breast Services DEI Programs at Northwell Health
Dr. Sylvia Alicia Reyes is committed to helping women face breast cancer diagnosis by providing an exceptional quality of care. A board-certified breast surgeon, she specializes in oncoplastic breast surgery, nipple-sparing mastectomies, and hidden scar procedures.
A first-generation Latino-American, a young Dr. Reyes often acted as translator for her family in medical settings. Through those experiences, she was drawn to medicine, driven to provide patients not only exceptional care but also reassurance. She considers it a privilege to help women through the challenges of breast cancer diagnosis.
Dr. Reyes brings a collaborative spirit to meet all the needs of her patients. Northwell Health's integrated network allows her to give patients a personalized experience that addresses all of their needs.
Passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Dr. Reyes has long focused on health equity research and community education. She is fluent in Spanish and English.
Dr. Reyes is the Director of Breast Services DEI programs at Northwell Health and the Co-Director of the NSABP Accreditation program at LIJ/Northshore. She is also an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.
"Dr. Reyes is incredible! She was so thorough, direct, and reassuring. I feel lucky to have seen her. Definitely recommend, she knows her stuff!"
Education
Fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Clinical Research Fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Chief Surgical Resident, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Internship and Residency in Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
MBS in Biomedical Science, Rutgers University School of Graduate Studies