Meet the Staff at Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine Hero

Meet the Staff at Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine

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Debra-Lynn Day-Salvatore

Debra-Lynn Day-Salvatore

Debra-Lynn Day-Salvatore, MD, PhD, FAAP, FACMG

Physician

Publications
Dr. Day-Salvatore received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Her residency training was in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the Cleveland Clinical Foundation, and she completed two years of post-graduate training in Medical Genetics at UMDNJ. Dr. Day-Salvatore is also a molecular biologist with a Ph.D. and Masters from New York University Medical Center's Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences specializing in pharmacogenetics. She is recipient of the UMDNJ Foundation's Excellence in Teaching Award for 1994-95, has been consistently voted a Top Doctor by NJ physicians, has authored or co-authored more than 50 scientific papers and book chapters, has made several guest appearances on radio and television, and has lectured both nationally and internationally. She is director of the Regional Center for Newborn Screening and Genetic Services for central New Jersey, chair of the New Jersey metabolic task force, and is a principal clinical trials investigator and consultant for lysosomal storage disease therapies. She is best known in the international lysosomal community for her interest in the management and treatment of lysosomal storage diseases during pregnancy and recognized nationally for championing newborn screening.

Shabnam Sabur

Shabnam Sabur

Shabnam Sabur, MSN, RN, PHN, APRN, FNP-C

Nurse Practitioner

Shabnam received her Bachelor’s degree as a registered nurse from Saint Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. After graduating, she spent six years working at a hospital in various departments including emergency, adult and pediatric med-surg, and step down ICU before returning to school. Shabnam then attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where she received her Master of Science as a nurse practitioner in family and emergency medicine. She worked in two busy, urban emergency departments as a nurse practitioner in the Twin Cities before moving to New Jersey. Shabnam maintains her BLS, ACLS, PALS, and ATLS certifications. She was a recipient of The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® scholarship as well as a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the National Honor Society of Nursing.

Kristin Levandoski

Kristin Levandoski

Kristin Levandoski, MS, LGC

Genetic Counseling Supervisor

Kristin is a graduate of Fairfield University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Biology and minoring in Psychology. She received her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling degree from Boston University. Kristin’s graduate thesis investigated the multidisciplinary approach to caring for children diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1. Kristin joins the Department of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine following five years of experience as a prenatal genetic counselor in Boston, Massachusetts and Northern New Jersey. At Saint Peter’s University Hospital she provides genetic counseling services to pediatric, adult, and prenatal patients. Kristin is a board certified and licensed genetic counselor. She is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors

Ryan Kuehl

Ryan Kuehl

Ryan Kuehl, M.G.C., LGC

Genetic Counselor

Ryan is a graduate of Providence College, with honors, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Biology. In 2019, he received his Master's degree in Genetic Counseling from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Ryan’s thesis explored the role of patient religion/spirituality on patient preference for discussion and religious/spiritual actions by their genetic counselor within the framework of a prenatal genetic counseling session among patients receiving care at either a religiously affiliated or non-religiously affiliated hospital. He provides counseling services to pediatric, adult, and prenatal patients. Ryan is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

Katelyn Heraty

Katelyn Heraty

Katelyn Heraty

MS, LGC

Kate Heraty received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Grand Valley State University and graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling. Her graduate thesis examined gender differences in symptomatology in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. She worked as a prenatal genetic counselor in Maternal Fetal Medicine for two years in Grand Rapids, Michigan prior to developing a Hereditary Cancer Program at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois three years ago. Kate is a board certified and licensed genetic counselor and a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Her passion lies in counseling patients and their families about hereditary predispositions to cancer.

Francesca Spinosi

Francesca Spinosi

Francesca Spinosi, MS, LGC

Genetic Counselor

Francesca “Franki” is a graduate of Rutgers University where she received both a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Genetics, as well as a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling. Francesca’s graduate thesis work focused on the billing and reimbursement of reproductive genetic counseling services over an eight-year period. At Saint Peter’s University Hospital, she provides genetic counseling services for pediatric, adult, and cancer patients. Francesca is a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

Andrea Siering

Andrea Siering

Andrea Siering, MS, RD, CSP

Nutritionist

Andrea is a Registered Dietitian, who is Board Certified as a Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition. She currently works with children and adults who are affected with metabolic disorders and require restricted diets, specialty metabolic formulas, and medical foods to stay healthy and thrive. Before joining the Department of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Andrea worked as an inpatient dietitian at Saint Peter’s University Hospital on the Pediatric and Pediatric Intensive Care Units. She has a wide variety of experience in Pediatrics, including oncology, feeding disorders, diabetes, epilepsy requiring the ketogenic diet, and critical care. She is a graduate of Drexel University where she received her Masters of Science in Human Nutrition. Andrea completed her dietetic internship at New York Presbyterian-Hospital. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as the Pediatric Nutrition and Dietitians in Nutrition Support Practice Groups. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The College of New Jersey.

Mary Lou Mickalauskas

Mary Lou Mickalauskas

Mary Lou Mickalauskas, RN, BSN, CEN

Nurse

Marylou is a registered nurse with more than 30 years’ experience, 28 of them at Saint Peter's University Hospital. Graduating from Borough of Manhattan Community College with an Associates of Science degree in Nursing, her primary focus was in emergency nursing. She has maintained board certification in Emergency Nursing, as well as Advanced Cardiac Life support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. In 2013, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, summa cum laude from Walden University, also achieving the Presidential Commendation for Academic Achievement Award. Marylou joined the department in 2003 as an infusion therapy nurse for lysosomal storage disorders and since has expanded her role to include triage and intake coordinator for the department.

Daniela N. Silva

Daniela N. Silva

Daniela N. Silva, MSN, RN, CCRN

Clinical Research Nurse

Daniela is a registered nurse who graduated from Seton Hall University School of Nursing. In 2018, she graduated from Drexel University with a Master of Science in Nursing in Clinical Trials Research. She holds certification in Basic Life Support and Neonatal Resuscitation Program, as well board certification in Critical Care Nursing (CCRN). Daniela has worked at Saint Peter's for over 12 years with a primary specialty in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She has recently expanded into the role of Clinical Nurse Researcher in the Department of Medical Genomics and Genomic Medicine. While at Saint Peter's University Hospital, Daniela has received a Daisy Award for Nursing Excellence and a Nursing Community Service Award for her role in philanthropy. Her multilingual background and diverse experience with patients and families, enables Daniela the ability to provide individualized care while fulfilling the need for Genetic Research.

Donna Farren-Chavez

Donna Farren-Chavez

Donna Farren-Chavez, MS

Intake Coordinator

Donna Farren-Chavez is a board-certified genetic counselor who is currently working as our Intake Coordinator. Donna initially joined the staff as a genetic counselor in 1992 upon graduating from Sarah Lawrence College. She worked with prenatal, pediatric and adult patients and assisted the Craniofacial Team during her years with Genetics. After taking some time to be with her family, she is welcomed back to her new role using her experience as a genetic counselor to assist in triaging patients for our various clinics.

Berta Lima

Berta Lima

Berta Lima

Patient Navigator

Berta is the Patient Navigator for the Department. She provides individualized assistance for our patients and/or caregivers before and after the patient’s appointment. She helps to coordinate the patient’s care with insurance companies, laboratories, legal aid and other clinicians. This ensures the patient’s access to quality healthcare and satisfaction during their time with our department. Berta acts as a liaison to facilitate communication with internal and external providers and assists in scheduling, timely, follow-up appointments for our patients, all while respecting the patient and their families’ needs. She links patients with appropriate financial and referred community resources. Berta is, also, fluent in Spanish. Prior to joining the Department of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Berta worked as the Medical Secretary for the Department of Pediatrics Multi Specialty Pulmonology Division starting in 2007. Berta is currently pursuing her associate degree in Public Health from Mercer County College.

Erin Savage

Erin Savage

Erin Savage

Education and Outreach

Erin is the Education, Outreach and Grant Coordinator for the Department. Erin organizes student and resident rotations, sets up physician and community outreach, and maintains academic relationships for departmental growth. Erin supports grant requirements for New Jersey Mandated Newborn Screening and tends to special projects at the direction of Dr. Day-Salvatore. Erin has her Bachelor of Arts from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey and has worked in development for five years. She joined Saint Peter’s in 2015.

Amida Sagastume

Amida Sagastume

Amida Sagastume

Billing Coordinator

Amida Sagastume has been the Financial Coordinator in our department since 2007. Prior to coming here she worked with the pediatric multispecialty Department as a medical biller/coder. She is a certified medical coder with the American Academy of Professional Coders. She is involved in the overall billing process, which includes reviewing for discrepancies between data gather and submissions for billing. She also works in collaboration with other departments within the hospital ensuring the billing process is a smooth one. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree at Thomas Edison State University.

Erica Leon

Erica Leon

Erica Leon

Registrar/Receptionist

Erica is the Registrar Receptionist for the Department. Erica works to insure that our patients are properly registered for their appointments by collecting and verifying patient information. Prior to joining Saint Peter’s in January 2018, Erica worked for an insurance company and a cardiology group. She is well versed in medical billing and coding, insurance claims, and customer service. Erica is bilingual in English and Spanish. She helps to process patient requests and follows our hospital policy guidelines protecting patient information. She obtained her associates degree in Medical Sciences from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania in 2007.

May Dionisio

May Dionisio

May Dionisio

Practice Coordinator

May Dionisio began her employment with Saint Peter’s University Hospital in 2002, as a unit secretary for the Perinatal Evaluation and Treatment center of Labor and Delivery. In 2008 while working full time, she obtained a certification in medical billing and coding from Lincoln Technical Institute, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration-Healthcare Management from American InterContinental University Online. In 2010 May joined the Institute for Genetic Medicine as a secretary and has since seen the practice evolve into the Department of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine in 2013, leading her to grow into her role as Practice Coordinator in 2016. May manages the day-to-day operations of the practice and serves as liaison with other hospital departments, administration and outside affiliates. In 2017, May worked tirelessly with Information Technology to create a telemedicine program enabling the department to go live with Tele-Genetics in 2018. As the program expands throughout the Saint Peter’s organization, May continues to work part time in I.T. as the Telemedicine Coordinator and Subject-Matter-Expert. May now attends the Rutgers Business School of Newark and New Brunswick hoping to earn her Master of Science degree in Healthcare Service Management. She continuously strives for departmental growth, excellence and comradery, coining the office’s now well-known nickname, “the Gene Team”.

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