Bilal Asif ’12, ’16
Gastroenterology Fellow, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health
BS Psychology, MD
“I am nominating my husband, who is a doctor serving on the front lines. My husband and I matched into training in different states (I am a pediatric dental resident in Brooklyn, NY). He is currently a GI fellow at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD working on liver disease related research. During the height of the pandemic, he was a first-year GI fellow at the University of Maryland Medical Center. During that time, he was not only seeing GI patients but also helping overnight on ICU floors for COVID-19 patients. He is actively working on developing gastroenterology and hepatology clinical guidelines for patients related to COVID-19 with faculty at the University of Maryland. The most difficult part of this pandemic is that COVID-19 travel restrictions have decreased our ability to travel to see one another. As his wife (and a fellow SBU alum), it is so difficult to be away from him, and I love that from a distance I can support him.” - Sarah Khan, BS '12 DDS, MPH '16
Michelle Blearie-Samuel '98
Social Worker, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
BA, Social Science, Interdisciplinary Sociology
Staying focused and being resourceful has helped Michelle Blearie-Samuel, a hospital social worker, provide care to sick patients and provide support to their loved ones in a very uncertain time. Michelle and a few of her family members got sick with COVID at the beginning of the pandemic. She returned to work at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and continued to advocate for patients.
"I tried my best to provide my patients and their families with the emotional support, reassurance and resources needed to help them cope, which was not easy, especially when you hear of patients losing multiple family members and they are thinking of their own mortality. But the rewarding part is actually seeing my patients being discharged after spending a few months in the hospital. With COVID on the rise, I am preparing myself once again for the challenges that lie ahead." - Michelle Blearie-Samuel
TATIANA CELCIS ’12
Emergency Department Social Worker, Elmhurst Hospital
BS, Social Work
As an emergency department social worker, Tatiana has provided immeasurable support to those affected by COVID-19, all while keeping a positive attitude. She has acted as a source of support for patients as well as their families. Since March, in the beginning of the pandemic, she has been on the frontline and has been vocal about safety measures and precautions.
Marie Ciacco Tsivitis ’84
Epidemiologist, NYS Department of Health, Bureau of Health Care-Associated Infections
BS, Medical Technology
Marie's work in healthcare-associated infection control was paused while the COVID pandemic required all hands on deck. She worked to provide technical assistance on recognizing and preventing the spread of the virus throughout the states' hospitals and nursing homes. This required months of exhausting work, often 12 hour days, six or seven days per week for months.
Eliana Emrani ’16
Physical Therapist, Montefiore Nyack Hospital
DPT, Physical Therapy
Since April 2020, Eliana has been working with hospitalized COVID-19 patients. She has seen everything from the sickest of patients to the lucky ones with milder symptoms. Despite the uncertainty, fear and risk to her own family, she has never stopped believing in the importance of physical therapy with this virus. She has helped patients improve their breathing, exercise, sit up for the first time in weeks, and walk. Eliana and all of the other healthcare workers across the world have truly placed their patient's needs above their own. She credits her DPT professors at Stony Brook University for teaching her patient-centered care and a teamwork mentality. Without these qualities, many would have run from the virus. Today, she continues to educate patients on the importance of mobility and breathing exercises to keep their lungs strong.
Mitchell Fourman '09, MD '14
MD Fellow, Orthopedics Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard
BA, History and Political Science; MD
During the pandemic, Dr. Fourman continued his work as a sixth-year orthopedics resident, living away from his wife and two young children to keep them safe. In July, he began working as an oncology fellow at Harvard/Mass General Hospital, where he has been doing 24-hour surgeries, while continuing to keep his family safe.
Glen Granati, MD '10
Pulmonary Critical Care Physician, Mather Hospital Northwell Health
BS, Biology
Dr. Granati works as a pulmonary critical care physician at Mather Hospital/Northwell. At the height of the pandemic, he stepped up and volunteered to work extra shifts on COVID wards at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.
Typheny Griffith '09
Respiratory Therapist, Memorial-Sloan Kettering
BS, Respiratory Care
As a respiratory therapist, Typheny has shown up to work every day since the start of the pandemic, putting her life at risk and on the back burner, knowing that she took an oath and has a responsibility to care for those in need.
Christina Hampton ’05
Administrative Director of Clinical and Pathology Laboratories, White Plains Hospital
BS, Biology
During the initial phases of COVID, Westchester county was considered a "hot-spot" for infection incidences. Mrs. Hampton led White Plains Laboratory with insight, leadership and diligence. She was instrumental in validating testing platforms and streamlining all resources within the supply chain. At every step of this unprecedented pandemic, Mrs. Hampton and the WPH laboratory staff were able to tackle each challenge presented. Mrs. Hampton's passion for laboratory science beams in times of adversity. All of which ignites her spirit toward the execution of providing exceptional patient care.
David G. Harrington ’90
Respiratory Care Practitioner, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC
BS, Cardiorespiratory Sciences
"I work on Children's National Hospital's Neonatal and Pediatric Transport Team. This spring, COVID was overwhelming hospitals in Maryland and Virginia. Our hospital normally admits patients under the age of 21 (unless they are a Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Anemia or Cardiac patient). During the initial surge, the neonatal and pediatric admissions were down significantly, and our team started transporting adult COVID patients with no comorbidities. One evening, a particular hospital had to intubate several sick adult patients. We were dispatched to pick up a 23-year old male who was diagnosed with COVID. When we got to the hospital, we saw he had shallow breathing. The lack of PPE at that hospital was shocking, but we brought supplies with us. I auscultated him and could hardly hear breath sounds. He was severely hypoxemic. A nurse asked if he wanted us to take over the breathing for him; he begged us, 'yes, please.' We and the referring hospital intubated him and got him to our PICU. He was intubated for over a month and eventually was discharged for rehabilitation.” - David G. Harrington '90
Lindsay Hutchinson ’17
Registered Nurse, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
BS, Health Science
“Lindsay was my teammate on the Stony Brook women's soccer team and remains one of my best friends today. She's always been the type of person who silently goes above and beyond her everyday responsibilities to do the right thing, and do it well. She always shows up for people when they need it most and works incredibly hard without the need for recognition. Lindsay has worked on COVID-19 and oncology floors throughout this pandemic, and I know that her patients are in the best hands possible under her care. I'm so proud to be your friend, Linny!" - Priscilla Wiggins ’16
Alexandria Elizabeth Imperato, MD ’10, ’12, ’18
Resident Physician, Internal Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
BS, Chemistry & Nursing; MD
As a second-year internal medicine resident at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Alex worked at New York City Health + Hospital Bellevue, NYU Langone, and the Manhattan VA during the COVID-19 pandemic. She worked in critical care units, step-down units and general medicine floors and had the honor and privilege of caring for some of the city's most vulnerable people. Alex will be staying on as a chief resident for her program, where she will also be continuing her efforts to heighten awareness of physician, resident and medical student depression and suicide.
Justin Lawrence ’11, ’13
Emergency Room Social Worker, Stony Brook Medicine
BA, Psychology & Sociology; MSW
Justin's role as an emergency room social worker has involved wearing many hats — and often wearing those hats at the same time. Social workers like Justin are the liaison between the community and the hospital staff, allowing them to advocate for their patients. As a member of the multidisciplinary medical team, Justin shares insight about new barriers and issues brought on by COVID-19. Justin also provides crisis intervention services to patients and staff, which has been invaluable as he stands side-by-side with all of the other essential healthcare workers on the frontlines of the pandemic at Stony Brook University Hospital.
"I have learned that, as healthcare workers, we are far more resilient than we intended on finding out. Every process has been impacted by new challenges. However, I am thankful to be part of the Stony Brook Medicine team. Through this trying time, the resources our institution have had access to have been able to provide creative solutions and allow us to provide quality care with an increased sense of empathy and compassion for our patients. At a time where social distancing is heavily enforced, we have utilized technology to bridge the gap, allowing our patients to interact with their loved ones. Being able to be a part of that process makes me feel I am doing my part to serve the community." - Justin Lawrence ’11, ’13
Stuart Levine, MD ’75
Operating Partner, Chicago Pacific Founders; Director, Google Health; Assistant Professor, Internal Med; Psych, UCLA Stanford
Throughout the pandemic, Dr. Levine has been working remotely with the NY Governor’s Force for Health Care Workers Stress in addition to his work with Los Angeles hospital on healthcare worker’s stress programs. Dr. Levine has done a lot of work on the front lines, including:
- Leading the ethics committees at St Mary's UCLA and UCLA
- Co-leading the St Mary’s Residency program
- Took over Medical Director Mission Community Hospital Psych Unit for homeless Medicaid Psychiatric patients inpatient and outpatient
- Led Chicago Pacific fundraising for home and community-based services
Yan Leyfman '11
Director of Immunology Division, WACEM-ACAIM Joint Global COVID-19 Taskforce
BS, Biology with Research Honors
During the COVID-19 pandemic, with many family members, friends, and colleagues deemed essential employees, Yan connected several hospitals and frontline workers with the resources to acquire PPE. As a volunteer with the Penn State COVID-19 Engineering Group, he worked to devise novel strategies of disinfection to prolong the life of PPE and helped to write a summary of their findings. He also volunteered with COVID-19 patients both locally, nationally and internationally, giving talks about the pandemic in multiple languages. Additionally, Yan was recruited to join the Global COVID-19 Taskforce to serve as a Special Advisor for Immunology, Oncology and Cellular Therapeutics, where he worked to devise solutions and shape policy to improve survival outcomes. This resulted in one of the largest international anthologies about COVID-19, published in the Journal of Global Infectious Disease adding novel perspectives about the virus to the literature. Yan was made Director of the Immunology Group, where he lead an international cohort of MDs, PhDs, and MD-PhDs that produced the first cohesive mechanism of action for SARS-CoV-2, a new prognostic assay to predict patient outcomes, and presented the first synergistic paradigm between the flu and SARS-CoV-2, termed "COVI-Flu", and model along with therapeutic interventions and preventative strategies for both.
Yan was recognized for research excellence by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and as a 2020 New York State & City Manhattan Hero for his community service and research contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Priya Mallikarjuna MD '12, '13
Resident Physician, Flushing Medical Center
BS, Biology; MA, Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics
My phenomenal sister has not only gone above and beyond in her duties and obligations as a resident physician, but she has also assisted her colleagues, family members and friends in surviving this pandemic. My sister showed up to work with minimal to improper PPE, putting her best foot forward and addressing her patients' needs in an unwavering manner. Amidst the pandemic, she has helped her friends relocate and provided for her mother. Last but not least, when she tested positive for COVID, she stood strong with her chin up. She, along with her colleagues and patients, showed resiliency and perspective. I can only imagine the courage and bravery it takes, the strength needed to overcome inner monologues and nightmares of working in a healthcare setting in the epicenter of the pandemic in NYC. She has gone "above and beyond during this pandemic." - Farha
Patricia Matos-Puente, MD '84
Physician, Doctor in the House
MD, Medicine
Patricia Matos-Puente, MD ’84 practices medicine on Long Island in an uncommon way: she does house calls. No office. No group practice. Only house calls - even during this challenging COVID-19 pandemic. All of her patients are home bound - she is their primary care physician as well as their chronic care manager. She is not a “concierge doctor” who caters to society’s elite. Instead, she serves elderly Medicare patients ranging in age from 75 to over 100. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice of Suffolk for the past 10 years and currently serves as the Vice President. She and her husband, also a Stony Brook School of Medicine Alumnus, host an annual BBQ for Stony Brook's self-identified underrepresented minority medical students at their home. Dr. Matos-Puente is a founding member of the Renaissance School of Medicine Black and Latinx Alumni/Student Network, a supportive and mentoring group of medical doctors and students.
Karim Mohamed ’15, ’19
Physician Assistant; Long Island Jewish Hospital
BS, Health Science; MS, Physician Assistant
Karim saw the virus at its worst, treating large numbers of patients in a very short span. The ICU at The Hospital has a capacity of 16. At one point, the number of patients reached 45. Mohamed drew on his experiences being part of the Stony Brook Football team as a student-athlete at Stony Brook to get him through the intensity of the pandemic with his new team of healthcare professionals in the medical field
"It was definitely intense. We were at triple capacity with the same amount of staffing. It was a lot of juggling. Every patient requires so much care and it’s difficult when you only have so many resources. Everyone was stretched so thin, and we really had to rely on one another to get things done. Being able to rely on other people when you felt like you couldn't handle a situation is important." - Karim Mohamed ’15, ’19
Leonard Moss DO, FACC, FACP '80
Attending Physician, Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute, Morristown Medical Center
BS, Biological Sciences
"I am a practicing cardiologist employed by Atlantic Health Systems, one of the largest healthcare systems in NJ, and work at Morristown Medical Center. My practice focuses on the primary prevention and secondary prevention of heart disease to lower a patients current and future risk of cardiac illness. I treat the full range of cardiac diseases.
"Over the past 9 months, I have had to learn an abundance of new information which continues to be generated daily regarding COVID-19, in general, and its effect on the heart. I have treated patients with no-to-minor symptoms, to patients who were hospitalized for several months. I have, unfortunately, seen the devastating effects COVID has had on patients and their families.
"As a managing physician in a large practice, I have to ensure safety of the patients, staff and myself. I have to develop and implement protocols to ensure that proper precautions are taking place during this most trying time." -Leonard Moss DO, FACC, FACP '80
Maureen Nunez, NP '18
Nurse Practitioner, Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University Cancer Center
MS, Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Maureen has remained steadfast in her dedication both as a Stony Brook University alum and as a Stony Brook Medicine nurse practitioner every day during the pandemic. She has been diligent in ensuring patients at the Stony Brook Cancer Center receive the best possible care given the tremendous strain on hospital staff and resources. And she quickly learned how to think on her feet when she was redeployed to care for COVID patients at the University Hospital. Furthermore, she has volunteered to help connect Hospital patients with their families during this difficult time. This was all while keeping her family safe as a mother of two young children. In Maureen's words: "I'm so grateful to have been redeployed and have had the opportunity to use my training when it was needed most. There was no place I would've rather been than on the front lines."
Lauren Pierre-Glaude ’09
Adult Outpatient Physical Therapist, St. Charles Hospital
DPT, Physical Therapy
As a staff physical therapist in the outpatient setting, Dr. Pierre-Glaude had the option to stay home during the pandemic but felt compelled to work. She volunteered to join the COVID-19 Prone Team at St. Charles Hospital. There, she was responsible for turning ventilator-dependent patients in the ICU and PACU to a prone position then back to supine. Each labor-intensive turn required up to five people to safely accomplish the position change. Ventilator-dependent patients would remain in the prone position for up to 16 hours to help increase oxygen saturation. During downtime, Dr. Pierre-Glaude would serve as a patient advocate; scheduling and performing virtual sessions between patients, their providers and family members.
Vincent "Vinny" Polo ’13, ’18
Emergency Room Physician Assistant, Southside Hospital and Complete Primary Care
BS, Health Science; MS, Physician Assistant
Polo witnessed firsthand the effects of the virus on the patients he was treating. He was exposed to the virus and was diagnosed with COVID-19 during the summer. Several family members also ended up having the virus. All were able to beat it. In the primary-care setting, Polo took on the role of telemedicine visits. He discussed the virus with patients, informing them of best practices to stay healthy and limit anxiety. His desire to enter the medical field came as a result of his brother's cancer diagnosis, which made him want to help others the same way his brother was helped. Now working two jobs and 65 hours a week in the industry, Polo is doing just that.
"It was pretty intense seeing patients suffer due to the virus. On a daily basis, I saw multiple patients throughout the day in respiratory distress in the emergency room." - Vincent Polo ’13, ’18
Frank L. Ross, MD, FACS ’81
Associate Professor of Surgery, NYU Langone Health
BS, Biochemistry
Dr. Ross worked in the epicenter of the pandemic in NYC to provide care for his patients, working both in-clinic and remotely by providing health care via telemedicine. He has performed surgical procedures on COVID patients and was deployed forward in April, when he volunteered in NYU Langone Health's "COVID Army.” Today, he continues to treat patients with complications in the aftermath of their recovery. Dr. Ross has provided remote support for the families of university students by sharing science, data and comfort.
Timothy Shizume '81
System Director, Hartford HealthCare
BS, Medical Technology
Timothy coordinated the development of the most comprehensive COVID Convalescent Plasma program in Connecticut. Through partnerships with NY Blood Center/Rhode Island Blood Center and the American Red Cross, Hartford HealthCare recruited hundreds of patients into the program, and assisted them through the entire donation process. This resulted in a plentiful supply of Convalescent Plasma during the early days (April-July) of the pandemic.
Stephanie Sternberg '11, '18
Primary Counselor, Phoenix House
BA, Psychology; MSW, Social Work Pathway 3
Stephanie has not stopped working to help those who have been impacted by mental health and addiction. During the height of the pandemic, the majority of her work site was infected by COVID-19, impacting her own health. As soon as Stephanie was able to return to work to continue helping those in need, she did.
Wendy Velasquez, RN-BC ’10
Registered Nurse-PACU, Mount Sinai
BS, Health Science
“Wendy has been committed to her patients since the beginning of the pandemic and is still working alongside them to this minute. She treats patients like her own family and is relentless in her passion for the profession. Patients love her as much as I do!” - B. Almonte
Taylor Bouraad ’16, ’18
Res Hall Director, Cornell University
BS, Marine Vertebrate Biology; MA, Higher Education Administration
Taylor has been working hard to provide a safe, healthy and happy community in her residence hall at Cornell. She has worked on a number of important projects, leading a small team to redevelop resident advisor training into a virtual setting while supporting RAs who needed to quarantine. Throughout this all, she has continued to provide support, advocacy and a loving community to the LGBTQIA+ students who live in the LGBTQ+ Living Learning Community she oversees. Most recently, she has been working to advocate for homeless students who are struggling to find financial support and homes during the prolonged winter break. She consistently works beyond her 40 hours a week to make sure every student is safe and healthy.
“Taylor is very truly empathetic in everything she does, and she cares deeply for the wellbeing of all her residents. That is what makes Taylor so unique as RHD.” - Student Testimonial
Anthony Claudio ’85
Teacher, Mattituck-Cutchogue School District
BA, Economics
In addition to his responsibilities as a teacher, Anthony is part of the Mattituck Fire Department, where he has responded to scenes with sick individuals who may be COVID-positive. Despite the risk, he has helped get these patients to the hospital to get the care they need.
Photo (left): Anthony Claudio '85 pictured with his daughter Maisy Claudio '18
Nicole & Joseph Gabrinowitz ’96, ’04
Teachers, Rocky Point
Nicole Gabrinowitz: BS, Mathematics; MAL, Liberal Studies
Joseph Gabrinowitz: BS, Geology; MA, Liberal Studies
“My mom and dad have put many hours into learning new technology to be the best teachers they can be during this pandemic. They had to learn Google Classroom, Screencastify, create videos, and keep their students focused and engaged every day. I watched them teach from home and make videos as well. Now they are in school full-time and they are still bringing so much work home to make sure their students are getting the best education they can get.” - Lexi Gabrinowitz
HEDI GARCIA ’00
Lead Early Childhood Specialist, Stony Brook Child Care
MAL, Liberal Studies
Hedi has been working at Stony Brook Child Care since 1997, teaching Pre-K, infants, toddlers, college interns, parents and co-workers. Since March 2020, Hedi has taken on challenges she never faced before with positivity and attention to detail. She has used artistic talents and creative ideas to bake, sew masks and create a rainbow of children’s handprints to build team spirit. She has been a lighthouse of hope and has touched the lives of many. She goes above and beyond to pay it forward.
Alexis Kydon ’19
Teacher, NYC Department of Education
MA, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - TESOL
As a second grade teacher for the New York City Department of Education, Alexis has supported her students whose families were hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to dedicating additional hours to her students, she’s spent personal funds on school supplies to support remote learning. She’s even purchased gifts for the children at Christmas, a practice she started before the pandemic. Alexis has made it a priority to teach her kids to be accepting and kind.
DANILO CRUZ '04
Sergeant, NYPD
BS, Health Science
Sergeant Danilo Cruz is a family man: he lives with his wife and three children in the Bronx. As a sergeant for the NYPD, he hopes to help the Hispanic community excel. Cruz supervises 20 officers in East Harlem.
"I live in the city that I patrol. It is very important to me that the community remains safe during the pandemic and that we continue to progress." - Danilo Cruz ’04
Shanique Morris ’11
Emergency Medical Technician, New York City Fire Department
BA, Africana Studies and History
At the height of the pandemic, Shanique’s NYFD unit was able to get the most patients to the hospital as quickly as possible while treating them in the ambulance. She also faced patients who had already passed by the time her unit arrived at the scene.
Joe Campolo '94 & Scott Middleton ’84
Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP
BA, History
In a reflection of its relentless determination to pull the business community through this unprecedented period, Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, including alumni Joe Campolo ‘94 and Scott Middleton ’84, led the way with the launch of a first-of-its-kind coronavirus hotline in March. Members of the business community, regardless of whether they were CMM clients, could call or email with questions relating to the pandemic's impact on their business. Messages were monitored continuously and routed to the appropriate attorney, who promptly followed up with guidance at no charge. This work enabled many businesses to survive when they otherwise wouldn't have.
Do you know a Stony Brook alum who has been an essential worker throughout the pandemic?