| Fellowship Director |
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| Associate Fellowship Director |
 Kimberly Herrera, MD |
Mission Statement
The mission of Stony Brook Medicine Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship program is to produce physicians who are well-versed in all aspects of women’s health. We accomplish this by promoting lifelong learning and research, staying at the forefront of technology, emphasizing the education of residents and medical students, and advancing Stony Brook Medicine’s status as a leader in compassionate and culturally-competent women’s healthcare.
Overview
Stony Brook University Hospital offers a three-year training program in Maternal-Fetal Medicine through their two Regional Perinatal Centers on Long Island. Our objective is to train specialists in Maternal-Fetal Medicine who, in addition to having expertise in clinic practice, research, and public health, will have the skills needed to excel in the ever more challenging environment of academic medicine. Our specific objectives include training individuals capable of continuing a career in academic medicine with defined areas of interest and foundations in research and education that will prepare each of our trainees to obtain research grant funding or to otherwise be a productive member of the academic community. Each graduate of our Fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine would have the knowledge and skills to act as a consultant to general obstetricians as well as to participate in regionalization of perinatal services which are active in improving the delivery of health care to designated populations. The educational program of this Fellowship is also designed to guarantee a completed, hypothesis-based, research thesis by graduation. Each fellow will be taught to teach and to mentor with didactic lectures, structured educational experiences, 360-degree evaluations, and involvement as a research mentor to undergraduates and/or residents. Each fellow will be adequately prepared to achieve subspecialty certification by the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and then proceed to develop successful careers in academic medicine.
Curriculum
Due to the high volume of high risk patients at Stony Brook, fellows have tremendous opportunities to learn in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Inpatient rotations include managing patients on labor and delivery and the antepartum services, as well as participating in procedures and deliveries. In the outpatient setting, fellows have the chance to manage high-risk clinic, perform consults, and hone their ultrasound skills with scanning and ultrasound guided procedures. In addition, there are rotations in obstetrical anesthesia, critical care/ICU, genetics, pediatric cardiology, pathology, and the neonatal intensive care unit. Lastly, fellows can partake in electives.
Research
In addition to clinical experiences, the fellows are taught research techniques in order to generate a thesis by graduation. Fellows are involved in both clinical and bench research. Faculty mentorship of their projects is instrumental and allows the fellows to flourish in research. There is also support provided by the Research Division of the Department with statistical assistance. There are collaborative opportunities within the department and institution available. Fellows attend the annual SMFM meeting in order to showcase their research and are expected to publish their findings in a peer reviewed journal.
Education
The fellows are engaged in several didactics which include fetal ultrasound conferences, twice monthly MFM-NICU conferences, monthly journal clubs, weekly OB-GYN Grand Rounds, weekly Chairman’s rounds, and weekly lecture series on MFM topics. In addition, there is a monthly research series and regular research meetings to help prepare the fellows with their research endeavors. Finally, the fellows are actively involved in the teaching and education of the residents and medical students.
Faculty
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Cecilia Avila, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FACOG Dr. Avila is a graduate of Universidad Nacional de Columbia School of Medicine in Bogota, Columbia, she did her internship in obstetrics and gynecology at Yale- New Haven Hospital and then completed her residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital followed by a fellowship in Maternal –Fetal Medicine at Columbia- Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. Upon completion of her fellowship in 2000, Dr. Avila trained in Obstetric and gynecological ultrasound at New York University before her arrival here at Stony Brook Medicine in 2004. Her clinical interests includes prematurity, medical complications of pregnancy, intrapartum care and high risk pregnancy. She is currently involved in basic research in prematurity, chorioamnionitis and peripartum hysterectomy. |
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David Baker, MD Dr. Baker is a national recognized expert on infectious diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He received his medical training at the State University of Brooklyn and completed his residency at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. He completed his fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington, VT. Dr. Baker is actively involved in basic, and clinical research involving various aspects of women’s health relating to infectious diseases and menopause. Dr. Baker has published over 150 articles, chapters and books in the fields of infectious disease. Recently Dr. Baker has expanded his research into the area of menopause and herbal supplements. He has been recognized as a specialist in diseases of the vulva and vaginitis. In addition, he recently was recognized for work on herbal supplements. |
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James Bernasko, MD, FACOG, CDE, CDTC Dr. Bernasko is one of few maternal-fetal medicine specialists in the US who are also board-certified in diabetes education. His clinical areas of interest and publications include medical complications of pregnancy, particularly diabetes, preterm birth, and multiple pregnancies. He has published and presented in these fields at several scientific meetings. Dr. Bernasko is the author of ‘A practical guide to insulin pump therapy for pregnancy.’ He served his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Harlem Hospital Center affiliation of the Columbia University college of Physicians and surgeons and completed a clinical fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. |
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Diana Garretto, MD, FACOG Dr. Diana Garretto is a Clinical Assistant Professor of obstetrics and gynecology specializing in maternal-fetal medicine. She is a graduate from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. Dr. Garretto trained in obstetrics and gynecology at Stony Brook University Medical Center and did her sub-specialty maternal-fetal medicine fellowship at Einstein College of Medicine- Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Her research interests include obesity in pregnancy, bariatric surgery in pregnancy, and clinical obstetrics. She has published and presented at various regional and national meetings and looks forward to continuing these interests at Stony Brook University Medical Center. |
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David Garry, DO, FACOG In addition, Dr. Garry is actively involved in basic, and clinical research involving various aspects of women’s health. He also has held many leadership and committee positions in many institutions and prestigious professional societies. |
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Kimberly Herrera, MD, FACOG Dr. Herrera is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. Her clinical interests include diabetes in pregnancy, in which she has published and presented on in regional and national meetings; as well as preeclampsia, and cerclage in pregnancy. She completed her residency at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia in obstetrics and gynecology, and subsequently finished her fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at Mount Sinai St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City. |
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Malini D Persad, MD, MPH, FACOG Dr. Malini Persad is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology specializing in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. She is a graduate from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Persad trained in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine at SUNY Stony Brook University Medical Center. Dr. Persad has a strong research interest in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, and the utility of supplements in preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes. She serves on various national committees. She has also published and presented at regional and national meetings. |
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J. Gerald Quirk, MD, PhD, FACOG Dr. Quirk is a professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine. He received both the M.D. and Ph.D (anatomy) from SUNY Downstate Medical Center; after he completed his residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in NYC, he completed a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at University Texas Southwestern Medical School, Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. Dr. Quirk has conducted research in embryology (Fetal lung maturation and gonadal differentiation), molecular biology of same tumor markers and most recently, in collaboration with members of Stony Brook Engineering faculty, using Bayesian analysis of fetal heart rate patterns. He has published nearly 150 research articles and reviews in these areas. Dr. Quirk enjoys a national reputation and has served in leadership positions in many national organizations. |
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Kristen Alarcon, NP Nurse Practitioner, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine Kristen Alarcon is a Nurse Practitioner in Obstetrics and Gynecology specializing in maternal-fetal medicine. She began working at Stony Brook in 2000 as an RN with experience in maternal/child health and joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2008. Her role here in the department of maternal fetal medicine is primarily direct patient care in women’s health, in particular high-risk pregnancies. Kristen graduated from Pace University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2000 and from Stony Brook University with a Master’s of Family Health in 2004. She holds national certification as a Nurse Practitioner.
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Fellows
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Jay Davis, MD Hometown- New Orleans, LA Medical School- Meharry Medical College- Nashville, TN (MD 2009-2013) Residency- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center- New Orleans, LA (2013-2017) |
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Cheryl Dinglas, DO Hometown- Bayside, NY Medical School- New York College of Osteopathic Medicine- Old Westbury, NY (2007-2012) for combined DO/MS degree Residency- Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, NY (2012-2016) |
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Cassandra Heiselman, DO Hometown- Akron, Ohio Medical School- Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, MO Residency- Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Akron, Ohio |
Alumni
2010: Daniel Kiefer, M.D.
2011: Jolene Muscat, M.D.
2012: Michael Demishev, M.D.
2013: M. Baraa Allaf, M.D.
2014: Corinne Yeh, M.D.
2015: Tracy Adams, D.O.
2016: Nadia Kunzier, D.O.
2017: Sevan Vahanian, M.D.
2018: Malini Persad, M.D.
Interviews and Application
MFM Fellowship interviews generally occur in July, August, and September (prior to the September 30th deadline) for the following year.
For MFM Fellowship Application please submit your application via ERAS and include:
1. Curriculum vitae
- Include any and all activities since medical school
- Account for any time not in residency training
2. Personal statement (limit one page)
3. Letters of reference (up to three)
- Include one letter from Residency Director
- Include one letter from immediate superior of any activity after residency
Contact Information
David Garry, DO
MFM Fellowship Director
Stony Brook University Hospital
David.Garry@stonybrookmedicine.edu
Kimberly Herrera, MD
MFM Associate Fellowship Director
Stony Brook University Hospital
Kimberly.Herrera@stonybrookmedicine.edu
Dianne Hummel
MFM Fellowship Coordinator
Stony Brook University Medical Center
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, HSC T-9 020
Stony Brook, NY 11794-8091
dianne.hummel@stonybrookmedicine.edu
Tel: (631) 444-2739
Fax: (631) 444-8954