Yvette Rhea-Burg joined Columbia Health in 1999. She is a scheduling coordinator at Medical Services.
In 2019 she completed her Masters degree in Human Resource Management.
When she is not at work she enjoys traveling the world, kick boxing, yoga and testing out new vegan recipes.
Yonette Douglas joined Columbia Health in 2012.
Tonia Lesesne joined Columbia Health in 1991.
Dr. Kazmi joined Columbia University in 2020. She is a board-certified Family Physician and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Center for Family and Community Medicine, Columbia University.
Prior to joining Columbia University, Dr. Kazmi was Medical Director with New York University Abu Dhabi. She has extensive global experience and is committed to providing the highest level of health care in culturally diverse and college health populations.
Tania Holguin is a Health Services Assistant at Medical Services.
Tamara Hawkins (she/her) provides primary care to students while including the promotion of health and prevention of disease, as well as evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and chronic illness and acute medical issues. Tamara conducts focused evaluations of patient health history and performs physical examinations for complex, acute, critical, and chronically ill patients or as indicated by the patient's reason for the visit.
Tamara enhances wellness by focusing on lifestyle medicine such as stress management and using food as a source of healing while also addressing acute and chronic healthcare concerns. Her focus is supporting her patients to feel vibrant and energetic.
Tamara Hawkins began her career in Maternal/Infant Health focusing on Lactation and Women’s Health as a source of equitable and primary care. She now uses Functional Medicine to treat the root causes of illness and restore healthy function through a personalized experience.
Tahshann Richards, DO, MPH, is a Board-certified Family Physician with a special interest in reproductive health, behavioral health, and osteopathic manipulative medicine. Dr. Richards joined Columbia Health in 2015.
She received her medical degree from UMDNJ School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Medicine residency training at St. Barnabas Hospital. She later served as the Family Medicine Residency Associate Director and as a staff physician in both the Adolescent & Family Medicine Departments.
Holding a Master’s Degree in Public Health from The George Washington University and through securing a Teen Pregnancy Prevention grant from the NYC Department of Health, Dr. Richards assisted in developing the Teen Health Center as well as creating youth development programs during her tenure at the Union Community Health Center, Bronx NY.
Dr. Richards has served as the Clinical Care Team Leader of the Riverside Practice Team at Columbia Health for the past 2 years. She is the current President of the Empire State Medical Association. Dr. Richards remains committed to improving the overall health of the Columbia University community as well as the health of those living in underserved communities. She enjoys spending time with her family and 14 year old son.
Siobhan (she/her) joined Columbia Health in 2023. She provides pre- and post-clinical visit assessments; follow-up of patients for interim continuity of care by clinicians, emergency department transfer, hospitalization and procedures; acute and chronic primary nursing care, wound care, travel assessment, allergy assessment, and the administration of vaccines, allergy shots, and medication.
Siobhan started her nursing career in 2018 as a cardiac surgery ICU nurse at Johns Hopkins Hospital and then transitioned to travel nursing. As a travel nurse, Siobhan worked in various ICUs (cardiac surgery, trauma, medical), outpatient surgery centers, and women’s health clinics throughout Anchorage, New York City, Seattle, Savannah, and Tampa. From working in a variety of settings, she realized that she was passionate about patient education and community health.
Outside of nursing, Siobhan enjoys writing, backpacking, and cross-country skiing.
Roseann Neuberg joined Columbia Health in 2007. She began her career in women's health, working at several hospitals, two birthing centers, as well as Planned Parenthood. She transitioned to student health, where she worked at the Fordham University Health Service for 12 years. She enjoys the diversity of student health, and focuses on education and prevention as integral parts of treatment.
Dr. Robert Bernales joined Columbia Health in 2020. He is a board-certified physician specializing in primary care and preventive medicine. Prior to Columbia Health, Dr. Bernales practiced as an attending physician with the Long Island FQHC in several locations throughout Nassau County, New York. He completed his residency training at Nassau University Medical Center, a Northwell Health affiliate.
Dr. Rick O’Keefe joined Columbia Health in 2004. Prior to Columbia, Rick worked in academic family medicine with a focus on increasing the quality and access to care for underserved communities in urban areas. O’Keefe developed programs that care for marginalized and LGBT adolescents in school-based and street settings.
As part of Columbia Health, Rick is a member of the men's health team, serves as medical advisor for GHAP (Gay Health Advocacy Project) and facilitates the Integrative Medicine Workgroup. He earned an M.A. in Social and Organizational Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2015.
Ramona Lanzo joined Columbia Health in 1994. Prior to Columbia, Ramona worked as a laboratory technologist in various medical facilities and hospitals. She has been in the laboratory services field since 1985. Ramona attended Bronx Community College, where she majored in medical laboratory technology, and Lehman College with a concentration health services administration.
Rafaela De La Huerta, FNP, joined Medical Services in May 2022 as a member of the Amsterdam Practice Clinical Care Team. Rafaela provides primary care services for students with a focus on health promotion and education, providing treatment for acute and chronic injury and illness, and comprehensive reproductive and sexual health services including offering long-acting reversible contraception.
Prior to joining Columbia Health, Rafaela worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in community health in the Bronx, New York, serving the healthcare needs of patients across the lifespan, including in-school-based health centers where she focused on adolescent reproductive health. She began her career as Paramedic/Firefighter and later in Nursing and it was in these roles that she became acutely aware of health care disparities/social determinants of health and the need to prevent illness and injury with access to primary care.
When she isn't working, she enjoys outdoor sports, traveling, spending time in nature, and time with family.
Patricia Coleman is a Registered Nurse at Medical Services.
Myriam Marques joined Columbia Health-Medical Services in August 2020 as Assistant Nurse Manager. Prior to Columbia she was the Campus Health Nurse and Wellness Coordinator at Manhattan School of Music.
Her professional background includes more than 30 years as a community and public health nurse in the USA, Brazil and Belgium.
She had developed extensive clinical Nursing expertise in primary care settings and had served diverse populations in New York City: immigrants of all backgrounds, youth, women, schoolchildren, LGBTQ + community, adults and performing artists.
Myriam’s professional interests include the organization of health services, College Health, Integrative Nursing, Sexual & Reproductive Health, Wellness and Health Education.
Growing up in Brazil, she received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Science of Nursing at the Federal University of Minas Gerais. She also received a Master’s in Public Health from the Universite Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium.
Besides being a nurse Myriam volunteer for human rights, access to healthcare and environmental protection social organizations.
Monica Kunkel joined the Columbia Health team in 2018, after serving as Director of Nursing at Brown University Health Services for 19 years. She is excited to live and work in New York City, and to be able to spend time with her grandson Arlo.
Mary Anne Segal joined Columbia Health October 2019. Prior to coming to work at Columbia University, Mary Anne was a school nurse at Lighthouse Guild School for 15 years providing nursing care for students aged 5-21 with vision impairments and multiple disabilities. She has also had a 20-year professional relationship at the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center providing nursing care to a medically complex population.
Mary Anne is a life-long New York City resident and enjoys the vibrant energy of the city.
Martine Duplan joined Columbia Health in 2017.
Marcia Malcolm-Alexander is a medical assistant at Columbia Health Medical Services.
Marcel Pierre-Louis joined Columbia Health in 2020 after serving as a General Staff Nurse for Respiratory Care and the Assistant Nurse Manager for Orthopedics at Westchester Medical Center since 2017. Prior to his Nursing career, Marcel worked for Health based non-profits in New York City and Los Angeles. He received his Master's of Healthcare Administration from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health in December 2021.
Madeline (she/her) joined Columbia Health in 2023. As a Registered Nurse at Medical Services, she provides pre- and post-clinical visit assessments; follow-up of patients for interim continuity of care by clinicians, emergency department transfer, hospitalization, and procedures; acute and chronic primary nursing care, wound care, travel assessment, allergy assessment, and the administration of vaccines, allergy shots, and medication.
She started her nursing career in 2020 working inpatient at NYP-Columbia in a medicine-stepdown unit taking care of critically ill patients. She transitioned to working as a travel registered nurse at local NYC hospitals and in California. As a travel nurse, she worked in a variety of medical-surgical units (general, oncology, surgical, etc.). She looks forward to providing care for university students.
In her free time, Madeline enjoys cooking, trying new cuisines, exercising, and watching her favorite TV shows.
Lucia Clase is a Medical Assistant at Medical Services.
Linus (she/her/hers) joined Columbia Health in 2023. She is a Registered Nurse at Medical Service and is deeply committed to caring for patients and communities through steadfast integrity, eager curiosity, and sincere compassion — an attuned, ‘caring other.’
Prior to joining Columbia Health, Linus worked in the Emergency Department engaging with a diverse population, not just in culture and physical ailment, but also in psychological state. She believes therapeutic relationship with her patient is an honor, privilege, and responsibility.
In addition to her professional work, you can find Linus squealing over delicious dessert; reading and writing; and adventuring in the great outdoors (whether it be long runs through the city or off the grid backpacking)
La’Tisa comes to Columbia Health from Mount Sinai Doctors Performing Arts clinic where she was Senior Medical Assistant/Patient Coordinator. She has also worked at the NYU Vascular and Vein Center, as well as St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital doctors offices.
Laura Maudene Nelson is a nutritionist and instructor at the Columbia University Institute of Human Nutrition and teaches graduate nutrition, medical, dental, nursing, and public health students.
She has been active with the American Diabetes Association, where she serves on the national board of directors, and the American Heart Association, where she previously served on the board of directors of the New York City Affiliate, the Advisory Council, Heart-at-Work, Nutrition Counseling Workshop Planning Committee, and as a member of the Nutrition Committee. She has also served on the editorial board for RN Magazine.
Maudene volunteers for the American Diabetes Association making public presentations and reaching out to elected officials to advocate for people with diabetes. She also coordinates opportunities for work site and community nutrition projects.
Best nutrition advice: Eat mostly foods that grow from roots not feet, and, watch out for shiny food – it may be glazed not polished.
Kristen (she/her) joined Columbia Health in 2023. She provides pre- and post-clinical visit assessments; follow-up of patients for interim continuity of care by clinicians, emergency department transfer, hospitalization and procedures; acute and chronic primary nursing care, wound care, travel assessment, allergy assessment, and the administration of vaccines, allergy shots, and medication.
She has been working as a nurse for four years. She began her career working in both inpatient and outpatient positions and then transitioned to school nursing. She is excited to continue her nursing journey in the college health field.
Outside of work she enjoys reading, trying new recipes, going to concerts, and exploring the city.
Kayla Nebbitt (she/her) joined Medical Services in April 2023 as a Nurse Practitioner and is a member of the Amsterdam practice team.
In her role as a Nurse Practitioner, Kayla provides comprehensive acute and chronic primary clinical care, reproductive and sexual health care, transgender health care services including PrEP and PEP, and opioid use disorder care.
Prior to joining Columbia Health, Kayla practiced as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) at Community Healthcare Network (CHN), serving people in community health through in-person and telehealth visits, providing care services in acute and chronic primary care and suboxone for patients with OUD; reproductive & sexual health inclusive of contraception, pap smears, PrEP, and hormone replacement therapy. While at CHN, Kayla was a preceptor in the Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program. Prior to working as an FNP, Kayla worked as a Registered Nurse in Seattle and Massachusetts.
Along with her dedication and interest in the wellness care of the patients and their communities, Kayla shares her enjoyment of tennis and traveling.
Karisma Ajodah joined Medical Services in October 2019. Prior to joining Columbia Health, Karisma worked primarily in the hospital setting, including NYU-Langone Hospital and Mount Sinai-Beth Israel. Karisma is excited to return to her Columbia roots having graduated from the School of Social Work in 2002.
Karisma is also certified as a field instructor for social work graduate interns since 2008 and has supervised many students over the years. Besides being a social worker, Karisma is also certified as a meditation teacher and is interested in integrating mindfulness and social work practice.
Julissa (she/her) joined Columbia Health in 2023. She provides pre- and post-clinical visit assessments; follow-up of patients for interim continuity of care by clinicians, emergency department transfer, hospitalization and procedures; acute and chronic primary nursing care, wound care, travel assessment, allergy assessment, and the administration of vaccines, allergy shots, and medication.
Prior to joining Columbia Health, Julissa had an impressive 26-year career in the United States Army as a surgical technician rising through the ranks to become a Sergeant 1st Class. Upon retirement Sergeant 1st Class Julissa Rosado, USA. Ret. returned to college to pursue a career in nursing, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. Over the past 5 years, Julissa has worked as a registered nurse in Louisville, Kentucky in the Telemetry Unit, Progressive Cardiac Care Unit, Surgical Specialty Unit, the Veterans Affairs Hospital, and the Emergency Department.
Julissa enjoys all outdoor activities, particularly hiking and bicycling. She is a burgeoning mystery and spy fictional writer and looks forward to writing and publishing her own book.
Dr. Jon Weinstein (he/him) provides acute and chronic primary care, including assessment and diagnosis of presenting problems and management of illness, education concerning prevention and wellness; follow-up of patient problems in continuity structure; and utilization of specialists and outside medical resources when indicated.
Dr. Weinstein joins Columbia Health with over 20 years of extensive clinical, administrative, leadership, and teaching experiences. Prior to joining Columbia Health, he worked as an urgent care physician at CityMD with a stint as its Medical Director. Prior to CityMD, Dr. Weinstein was Director of Medical Services at Housing Works, an Emergency Medicine Physician at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Kings Highway and Bronx Lebanon, and Director of HIV Medical Services at Betances Health Center.
Dr. Weinstein completed a Residency in Emergency Medicine at Mount Sinai West (Morningside). He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree there as well.
Dr. Weinstein is an avid reader of ancient historical fiction, is a native New Yorker, and is an animal lover.
Jon (he/him/his) joined the Columbia Health team in 2021. He is a Registered Nurse at Medical Services and is passionate about delivering patient-centered, holistic, affirmative, and collaborative care. He also serves as a nurse on the Transgender and Gender Expansive Team (TGET).
Before moving to New York, Jon grew up, studied, and worked as a nurse in Massachusetts. His previous experiences include treating adults in a smaller community hospital and caring for children on a surgical & trauma unit in Boston.
Jon enjoys spending time with his husband and their cat, playing volleyball & softball, eating pie, visiting the Cape, dancing to Charli XCX and Rihanna (not well), and reading comic books.
Elizabeth Diaz joined Columbia Health in 2023. Elizabeth supports physicians, nurse practitioners, and nurses in the delivery of patient care, including directing, assisting, and preparing patients for exams; takes vital signs and assists with exams; keeps exam rooms stocked and clean; monitors and maintains medical equipment, assists clinical staff, and responds to medical emergencies per protocol; and anticipates provider needs including quality support measures and patient flow.
She has been a medical assistant for 30 years, most of which have been in various OB/GYN departments. Elizabeth was raised in Washington Heights and has lived there all her life!
Colby Golder has provided nutrition therapy since she received a master’s degree in nutrition from Teachers College at Columbia University in 2009. As part of her clinical training in dietetics, Colby worked at the eating disorder unit of the New York State Psychiatric Institute. She was part of a multidisciplinary team that focused on the research and treatment of eating disorders for in-patient care.
Most recently, Colby worked at the prestigious Renfrew Center for eating disorders in New York City. Colby was involved in every level of therapeutic care including the day program, the intensive outpatient program, and individual nutrition counseling. She gained vast experience in nutrition therapy for those struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive exercise, and other forms of disordered eating. She routinely conducted weekly group sessions that focused on nutrition education, the management of therapeutic meals, and post-meal support therapy.
In addition to her work in Health Services, Colby also works in a private practice focusing on nutrition, eating disorders, and weight management by working with patients to cultivate a healthy relationship with food.
Christine Napoleon is a medical assistant at Columbia Health, Medical Services.
Carolina Santos is a Medical Assistant at Medical Services.
Carissa joined Columbia Health in 2021. She has worked for 8 years as a nurse, starting at a comprehensive ambulatory care center, followed by a clinical nurse position at Montefiore in Maternal Child Health and Pediatrics.
Before beginning her career as a nurse, she spent over a decade as a New York State EMT, an EMT volunteer in Honduras and Guatemala and a public health aide in Rockland County.Dr. Brenda Aiken joined Columbia Health in 2000. Brenda served as a physician before being promoted to director of Medical Services in 2012. She is also an assistant professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University Medical Center.
Prior to Columbia, she was an assistant professor of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, as well as an assistant attending physician at the Allen Pavilion. She has worked closely with the faculty and staff of the residency program in social medicine at Montefiore Medical Center.
Dr. Aiken has devoted her professional career to the comprehensive study of medical and health-related issues of under-represented communities.
Ariel (she/her) joined Columbia Health in October 2022 as a Health Services Assistant at Medical Services. In this role, she provides a welcoming experience for incoming patients and maintains the reception area. She answers the telephone and responds to inquiries, resolves any issues, and assists patients as they complete the necessary forms and documentation.
Prior to joining Columbia Health, Ariel was a scheduling coordinator for Mount Sinai Urology Department.
In her free time, she enjoys swimming and reading poetry.
Anna Combs joined Columbia Health in 1995. Prior to Columbia, Anna was employed with Kelly Temps and had several working assignments in customer service. She is originally from Brooklyn and joined the United States Army after high school. Anna’s interests include indoor and outdoor sports, music, and gardening.
Ann Marie Alexander is a health services assistant at Columbia Health.
Medical Services Directory
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