An LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader!

Valley is proud to be on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Healthcare Equality Index once again! Learn more.

At Valley Health System, our healing environment is open to all, including our LGBTQ+ neighbors.

Delivering inclusive healthcare and employment opportunities is our lasting commitment and, simply, the right thing to do.  

Your Partner in Health

As demonstrated by its perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equality Index survey, Valley goes beyond the basics when it comes to adopting policies and practices in LGBTQ+ care:

  • Our Patient Bill of Rights and Ambulatory Patient Bill of Rights make clear Valley’s belief that individuals of all backgrounds, including sexual orientation and gender identity, share indispensable and essential rights regarding all aspects of their healthcare.
  • Our Non-Discrimination Policy for employees clearly states that Valley will not tolerate discrimination of any kind in the workplace.
  • Our Patient and Family Centered Care approach welcomes family members, partners and other individuals identified by the patient as vital participants in a patient’s care.  
  • Clinical programs and services at Valley, including fertility services, emergency care, cancer care and bariatric surgery – as well as Valley Medical Group’s primary care and specialty providers – address the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ patients with respect and compassion. 

Watch: At Valley, we pride ourselves on being a partner in your care, which includes your medical and well-being needs. To help us better understand how we can serve and care for you, we ask that you consider answering the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity questions asked upon registration. Your responses will help us develop a treatment plan, customized to your needs.

Need a Doctor?

Our doctors support a care environment that is welcoming, affirming and inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community. Click on a specialty below to find a doctor for you or a loved one. 

Allergy & Immunology    

Jay Kashkin, MD    
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 
23-00 Route 208 South, Suite 2-1 
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
201-794-7400

Bariatric Surgery

Edward J. Yatco, MD
Seema Dhorajia, DO
VMG - Bariatric Surgery 
947 Linwood Ave. 
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-251-3480

Breast Surgery    

Laura Klein, MD        
VMG – Breast Surgery
One Valley Health Plaza
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-634-5557
     
Moira Christoudias, MD    
VMG – Breast Surgery
One Valley Health Plaza
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-634-5557

Shanthie E. Koshy-Thomas, MD    
VMG – Breast Surgery
One Valley Health Plaza
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-634-5557

Cardiology    

Kariann Abbate, MD - Heart Failure Cardiologist
Nancy Elmann, APN       
VMG - Cardiac Specialty
223 North Van Dien Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-447-8018

Carol A. Angelillo, APN
Damarys Cruz, APN
Omid Dardashti, MD
Themistoklis J. Nissirios, MD
Robert Saporito, MD
Alan Simon, MD
VMG - Cardiology, Ridgewood
1200 East Ridgwood Ave., East Wing Suite 304
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-689-9400

Paul Burns, MD        
VMG - Cardiac Surgery
223 North Van Dien Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-447-8377

Nikolay Bogush, MD        
VMG - Cardiology, Ridgewood
1200 East Ridgewood Ave., West Wing Suite 301
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-664-0201

Melissa Matysiak, PA        
VMG - Cardiology, Ridgewood
1200 East Ridgewood Ave., West Wing Suite 307
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-670-8660

Suneet Mittal, MD        
Tina Sichrovsky, MD        
Aleksandra Bozovic, APN        
Louisa Ghiberti-Toledo, APN        
Carissa Pistilli, APN        
Jeromane Tenido-NG, APN        
VMG - Electrophysiology & Cardiology
970 Linwood Ave., 102
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-432-7837

Aalap Chokshi, MD        
Bruce Slolnick, MD        
VMG - Cardiology Wayne
1578 Route 23 North, Suite 103
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-778-3777

Michael Anshelevich, MD        
Stuart A. Barr, MD        
Sheldon B. Eisenberg, MD        
Arieh Greenbaum, MD        
Joel S. Landzberg, MD        
Patricia L. Murphy, MD
VMG - Cardiology
333 Old Hook Road, Suite 200
Westwood, NJ 07675
201-664-0201

Himanshu Gupta, MD        
The Valley Hospital
223 N. Van Dien Ave., Radiology Administration, Cheel 2
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-447-8577

Joel D. Jacowitz, MD        
VMG - Electrophysiology & Cardiology
200 West 57th Street, Suite 610
New York, NY 10019
212-432-7837

Francis Y. Kim, MD        
Jennifer E. Eskenasi, PA 
Beth A. Bosticco, PA 
VMG - Cardiac Surgery
1200 East Ridgewood Avenue, Suite 301
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-251-3243

Bonnie Matossian, APN   
VMG - Cardiac Specialty
223 North Van Dien Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-251-3243
     
David Montgomery, MD    
Cardiac Associates of North Jersey
43 Yawpo Avenue
Oakland, NJ 07436
201-337-0066
     
Mark Teicher, MD        
VMG - Cardiology
1030 Clifton Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07013
973-778-3777

Gertrude P. Borja, APN
VMG - Cardiac Specialty
223 North Van Dien Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
973-447-8044

Chelsea N. Benell, APN
Mary E. D'Entremont, APN
Debbie Yiu, APN
VMG - Cardiac Surgery
1200 East Ridgewood Avenue, Suite 301
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-447-8377

Elvira Usinowicz, APN
Heart Failure Outpatient Program
223 North Van Dien Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-447-8083

Dermatology

Donna L. Fichera, APN
VMG Dermatology
1200 East Ridgewood Avenue
Suite 302 - East Wing
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-689-2103

Endocrinology

Katherin Heeren, FNP
VMG - Endocrine Surgery
1200 East Ridgewood Ave., Suite 108 East
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-389-1285

Fertility & Reproductive Endocrinology

Dehan Chen, MD
VMG - Fertility Center, Paramus
One Valley Health Plaza
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-634-5400
 
Keri Greenseid, MD
VMG - Fertility Center, Paramus
One Valley Health Plaza
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-634-5400
 
Ali Nasseri, MD, PhD
VMG - Fertility Center, Paramus
One Valley Health Plaza
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-634-5400

Gastroenterology

Sita S. Chokhavatia, MD
Robin M. Friedman, MD
Albert O. Kwon, MD
Jonathan Pinto, MD
George F. Protopapas, MD
Michael G. Rahmin, MD
VMG - Digestive Health 
140 East Ridgewood Ave., Suite 525 South
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-614-6130

General Surgery

Carl Winkler, MD     
VMG - Surgical Oncology
One Valley Health Plaza
Paramus, NJ 076522
201-634-5547

Thomas Ahlborn, MD    
Paul Punla, PA    
VMG - General Surgery - Glen Rock
385 South Maple Avenue, Suite 202
Glen Rock, NJ 07452
201-444-5757

Igor Elyash, DO
VMG - General Surgery - Ridgewood
947 Lindwood Avenue, Suite 2w
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-251-3480

Joseph Licata, MD    
ASP Surgical, LLC
245 E. Main Street, Suite 2
Ramsey, NJ 07446
201-327-0220

Chidambaram Raman, MD    
Raman Surgical
1200 East Ridgewood Avenue, Suite 203
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-444-4466

Gynecologic Oncology    

Nicole Vilardo, MD
Marie Welshinger, MD
Alice Nagy, APN
VMG – Gynecologic Oncology
One Valley Health Plaza
Suite B-201
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-634-5401

Gynecology

Tia Demille Welsh, MD
Patricia M. Bouce, APN
VMG – OB/GYN Ramsey
470 North Franklin Turnpike, Sutie 202
Ramsey, NJ 07446
201-236-2100

Jeffrey Reinkraut, MD
Michelle Beloff, MD    
Daying Zhang, MD    
Jennifer Enrique, APN
VMG – OB/GYN
5-22 Saddle River Road
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
201-796-2025

Sandolsam Cha, MD
VMG – OB/GYN Ridgewood
550 North Maple Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
973-444-4040

Jennifer Cabral, MD
Tia Demille Welsh, MD
Elizabeth A. Kowalski, APN
VMG – OB/GYN Wayne
1578 Route 23 North, Suite 201
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-709-0020
     
Kathlyn Kim, MD    
1200 East Ridgewood Avenue, Suite 308
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-389-0104
     
Shelia Newman, MD    
1578 Route 23 North, Suite 201
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-709-0020

Hematology/Oncology

Ephraim Casper, MD
Jae R. Cho, MD
Elisa Dipierro, APN
Michele B. Frank, MD
Kristen Hartig, APN 
Amanda J. Podolski, MD
Jason Suh, MD    
Eleonora Teplinsky, MD    
Rachel Tobin, APN    
Kevin Wood, MD    
VMG – Hematology/Oncology
One Valley Health Plaza
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-634-5578

Eli Kirshner, MD    
VMG – Hematology/Oncology
400 Old Hook Road, Suites 2-1
Westwood, NJ 07675
201-664-3900

Internal Medicine

Emmanuel A. Aydin, MD
Erhan Kucuk, MD
VMG - Internal Medicine, Wayne
508 Hamburg Turnpike, Suite 102
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-595-0096

Susan Zeveloff, MD
VMG - Westwood Medical
400 Old Hook Road, Suite 2-1
Westwood, NJ 07675
201-497-8779

Glen Berger, MD    
110 Warren Avenue, Suite 5
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423
201-444-9405
     

Yukiko Oe, MD    
VMG - Pulmonary Care and Critical Medicine
1200 East Ridgewood Avenue, Suite 303
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-689-7755

Maria T. Scibetta, MD    
Melissa Apriceno, APN
VMG - Ramsey Medical
470 North Franklin Turnpike
Ramsey, NJ 07446
201-327-8765

Henry Velez, MD    
VMG - Internal Medicine/Pulmonary Medicine, Fair Lawn
19-20 Fair Lawn Avenue
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
201-794-6411

Liver Diseases

Joseph Odin, MD, PhD    
Center for Liver Diseases
1425 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor Rm 4-89
New York, NY 10029
201-251-3485

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Nicole M. Astill, MD
Howard H. Jones, MD
VMG - Gynecologic Oncology, Paramus
140 East Ridgewood Avenue, Suite 525S
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-614-6127

Neonatology

Christiana Farkouh-Karoleski, MD
Monika Reisenauer, APN
The Valley Hospital - Neonatology
223 North Van Dien Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-447-8388

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Kajal Angras, DO
VMG - Women's Health 
223 North Van Dien Ave., Suite 390S
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-270-5739

Jennifer M. Amorosa, MD
Jane Goldman, MD
Hunter A Gomez-Roberts, MD
Carolyn Zelop, MD
VMG - Maternal Fetal Medcine 
140 East Ridgewood Avenue, Suite 390S
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-291-6321
     
Meg Hainer, MD    
Bergen-Passaic Women's Health Center 
258 Godwin Avenue
Wyckoff, NJ 07481
201-891-3336

Melissa Buddha, APN    
Reut Moyal, MD    
Morenike Jegede, CM    
VMG - Women's Health 
135 North Kinderkamack Road
Montvale, NJ 07645
201-476-0040
     
Eugenia Kuo, MD
Savita Khosla, MD
Elizabeth Klimowicz, MD 
Gail Sobel, MD    
VMG – Gynecology Ridgewood
1200 E. Ridgewood Avenue, East Wing, Suite 308
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-489-2255
     
Richard Levine, MD
Oscarina A. Contin-Mendoza, MD
Richa Pursnani, MD
Maryanne Carrillo, MD
Veronica Garces, APN
Elina Zeldina, MD
VMG – OB/GYN Ridgewood
550 North Maple Ave. Suite 202
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-444-4040
     

Pnina Y. Bargad, MD    
VMG – Maternal Fetal Medicine
140 East Ridgewood Ave, Suite 390S
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-291-6321

Ophthalmology

David Benderson, MD    
VMG – Ophthalmology
1200 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Suite 213
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-612-0044

Tanya Fooks, MD    
VMG – Ophthalmology
1200 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Suite 213
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-612-0044     

Diane Hilal-Campo, MD    
43 Yawpo Avenue, Suite 1
Oakland, NJ 07436
201-337-9300

Melanie Sinatria, MD    
350 Franklin Avenue
Wyckoff, NJ 07481
201-891-0200

Orthopedics

Lorraine C. Stern, MD
Peter H. DeNoble, MD    
Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey
2025 Hamburg Turnpike, Suite C
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-898-5999

Ryan M. Dowling, MD
North Jersey Orthopedic Group
246 Hamburg Turnpike, Suite 302
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-689-6266

David F. Ratliff, MD
Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey
3799 Route 46, Suite 207
Parsippany, NJ 07504
973-898-5999

David P. Rudman, MD    
Specialty Orthopedics of New Jersey, P.A.
Specializing in Shoulders, Knees & Sports Medicine
1124 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Suite 201
Ridgewood, NJ 07652
201-447-1188

James C. Mendler, MD    
Sports Medicine Physician Associates, LLC
514 Kinderkamack Road
Oradell, NJ 07649
201-833-3909

Pain Management

Carletta J. Lindie-Fowlkes, PA
Valley Institute for Pain
1 Valley Health Plaza
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-634-5555

Palliative Care

Puneeta Sharma, MD
Ayelet Spitzer, DO
VMG - Palliative Care
1 Valley Health Plaza, Second Floor, Wing C 
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-634-5699

Michael Muro, APN
Yusimi Sobrino-Bonilla, APN
VMG - Palliative Care
223 North Van Dien Avenue, Phillips 4343 
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-447-8413

Pediatrics

Cecilia A. Godoy, MD
Suzanne Bussetti, APN
VMG - General Pediatrics
135 N Kinderkamack Road
Montvale, NJ 07645
201-746-9564

Hakan C. Pehlivan, MD
Nancy J. Moontasri, MD
Avrum L. Joffe
Preferred Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
106 Prospect Street, 3rd Floor 
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-639-2656

Lauren Dankner, MD    
J. Antonio Quiros, MD, PhD
VMG - Pediatric Gastroenterology
140 East Ridgewood Ave, Suite N480
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-389-0815

Eric L. Lazar, MD    
VMG - Pediatric Surgery
140 East Ridgewood Ave, Suite N480
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-447-8151

Ellen Fasanaro, APN    
The Valley Hospital Community Care Clinic
1114 Goffle Road
Hawthorne, NJ 07506
973-427-7676

Sherry L. Sakowitz-Sukkar, MD
VMG - Pediatric Obesity
140 East Ridgewood Ave, Suite N480
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-316-8438

Tatiana Dea, APN   
VMG - NICU
223 North Van Dien Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-447-8388

Barbara Jedlinksi, MD
VMG - House Pediatrics
223 North Van Dien Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-251-3456

Irene Shevelev, MD, FAAP 
Claude Ligenza, MD, FAAP
Christopher Nicpon, MD, FAAP
Amy Leifer, MD, FAAP 
Julia Lee, MD, FAAP 
Valley Pediatric Associates, PA
201 E. Franklin Turnpike
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423
201-652-1888

470 N. Franklin Turnpike
Ramsey, NJ 07446
201-891-7272
www.valleypeds.com

Susan Kushner, MD
Melissa Monaco, MD    
Forest Pediatrics
299 Forest Avenue, 3rd Flr
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-267-0888

Evan Weissman, DO, FAAP   
Tenafly Pediatrics
350 Ramapo Valley Road
Oakland, NJ 07436
201-651-0404

PediatriCare Associates – Fair Lawn
20-20 Fair Lawn Avenue
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
201-791-4545
www.pediatricareassociates.com

PediatriCare Associates – Hackensack
90 Prospect Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-342-4001
www.pediatricareassociates.com

PediatriCare Associates – Mahwah
400 Franklin Turnpike
Mahwah, NJ 07430
201-529-4545
www.pediatricareassociates.com

PediatriCare Associates – Pompton Plains
901 Route 23 South
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
973-831-4545
www.pediatricareassociates.com

PediatriCare Associates – Woodland Park
1225 McBride Avenue
Woodland Park, NJ 07424
973-256-4545
www.pediatricareassociates.com

Indrajit Majumdar, MD
Rachel A. Devine, APN
VMG - Pediatric Endocrinology
140 East Ridgewood Avenue, Suite N480
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-447-8182

Steven Kanengiser, MD
VMG - Pediatric Pulmonology
579 Franklin Turnpike
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-447-8026

Lisa M. Nalven, MD
Marivic Santiago, MD
VMG - Pediatric Development 
140 East Ridgewood Avenue, Suite N475
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-447-8151

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Ryan K. Murphy, DO    
VMG - Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Inpatient
301 Godwin Avenue
Midland Park, NJ 07432
201-301-1317

Samuel S. Jacob, DO, FAAPMR    
VMG - Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Ridgewood
1200 East Ridgewood Avenue, East Wing Suite 306
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-612-4857

VMG - Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Wayne
1578 Route 23 North, Suite 100
Wayne, NJ 07470
201-612-4857

Angela M. D'Allesandro, MD    
VMG - Pediatric Rehabilitation
140 East Ridgewood Avenue, Suite N475
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-251-3304

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Aaron Capuano, MD    
Northern Center for Plastic Surgery
680 Kinderkamack Road
Oradell, NJ 07649
201-820-5280
www.njplasticsurgerycenter.com

Jay Meisner, MD, FACS    
Oradell Plastic Surgery
680 Kinderkamack Road
Oradell, NJ 07649
201-483-8880

Tzvi Small, MD
Bergen Plastic Surgery
275 Forest Avenue, Suite 202
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-599-1500

Podiatry

Mina Hanna, DPM
VMG Podiatry
171 Franklin Turnpike
Waldwick, NJ 07463
201-447-8990

Primary Care/Family Practice

Ellen J. Fasanaro, APN
Mary T. Granholm, APN
Valley Hopsital Community Care
1114 Goffle Road
Hawthorne, NJ 07506
973-427-7676

Dina Dabaj, MD
VMG - Primary Care, Midland Park
44 Godwin Ave., Suite 102
Midland Park, NJ 07432
201-444-5992

Perel Schneid, DO
VMG - Montvale Primary & Walk-In Care
85 Chestnut Ridge Road, Suite 111
Montvale, NJ 07645
201-930-1700

Nita J. Nair, MD
VMG - Primary Care
19-20 Fair Lawn Ave.
Fair Lawn, NJ 074
201-794-1963

Rena M. Jaffe, APN
VMG - Wayne Primary & Walk-In Care
759 Hamburg Turnpike
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-709-0099

Mary Bello, MD
400 Franklin Turnpike, Suite 106
Mahwah, NJ 07430
201-327-3333

Erika Henry, FNP
Michelle T. Mesiano, APN
VMG - Teaneck Primary & Walk-In Care
780 Cedar Lane
Teaneck, NJ 07666
973-836-7664

Simone G. Rubin, DO
VMG - Family Practice, Rochelle Park
50 Essex Street, Suite 3
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
201-843-3152

Jaclyn Anne Sta.Maria, MD
VMG - Primary Care, Wayne
1578 Route 23 North, Suite 203
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-706-0244

Lisa A. Draucikas, DO
Jessica Anne Grace Lim, APN
Marielle Nasta, FNP
Taylor M. Shaker, MD
Seena Shekari, DO
Ayala Silverman, PA
Brianne M. Simpson, PA
Maria G. Williams, APN
Michael A. Williams-Healy, APN
Waldwick Primary & Walk-In Care
140 Franklin Turnpike, Suite 6a
Waldwick, NJ 07430
201-447-3603

Komal Yadav, MD
VMG - Family Practice, Rochelle Park
50 Essex Street, Suite 3
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662
201-843-3152

Pulmonology

Reza Farhangfar, MD
Emma Nicholas, APN
VMG - Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
1578 Hamburg Turnpike, Suite 107
Wayne, NJ 07470
201-595-7456

Timothy O'Donnell, DO
VMG - Pulmonary Wayne
1578 Route 23 North, Suite 204
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-706-0260

Rakesh Sharma, MD      
124 East Ridgewood Avenue, Suite 303 West
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-652-8585

Brianna Tremblay, APN
VMG - Respiratory Health & Pulmonary Medicine
1200 East Ridgewood Ave, Suite 107
Wayne, NJ 07470
201-689-7755

Steven Jacoby, MD
Joseph P. Mathew, MD
VMG - Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
1200 East Ridgewood Ave, Suite 303 West Wing
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-689-7755

Radiation Oncology

Chad DeYoung, MD     
Thomas Kole, MD, PhD    
Michael Wesson, MD    
VMG – Radiation Oncology
One Valley Health Plaza
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-634-5403

Rheumatology

Arik Zaider, MD       
Valley Institute For Rheumatology & Autoimmune Diseases
1200 East Ridgewood Ave, Suite 306 East
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-389-0096

Thoracic Surgery

Robert Korst, MD    
Mark Shapiro, MD    
VMG – Thoracic Surgery
One Valley Health Plaza, Suite B-201
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-634-5722

Urogynecology

Patrick J. Culligan, MD
Cristina M. Saiz, MD  
Nicolette Julson, PA
VMG – Urogynecology, Ridgewood
1200 East Ridgewood Avenue, West Wing - Suite 205
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-221-0504

Hospitalists

Watch: At Valley Health System, our LGBTQ+ Steering Committee works to ensure that our healthcare environment is a safe, welcoming space for our patients, employees, and community.

A Healthcare Equality Leader

A Healthcare Equality Leader

Valley is proud to be an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader, as designated by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. 

Learn More
Valley employees celebrate Pride Month

Valley Pride!

Valley Health System employees were excited to celebrate Pride Month in June! 

Watch the Video