Practitioners

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Eric Avezzano, M.D.

Dr. Avezzano is a graduate of Stony Brook Medical School. He completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at George Washington University in Washington D.C. and his Fellowship in Gastroenterology at Georgetown University. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. Dr. Avezzano has been named in The Consumer Research Council Guide of America as well as Castle Connolly Guide as one of the "Top Gastroenterologists", and is the CEO and Managing Partner at Bergen Medical Associates. He serves on the Joint Venture Board for Hackensack University Medical Center at Pascack Valley and is the founding member and Medical Director at the Endoscopy Center of Bergen County.

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Jenny Ayala, M.D.

Dr. Ayala received her medical degree from Saba University School of Medicine, Netherlands Antilles. She completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at Brookdale University Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY and her Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in NY where she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society.  She also completed the Einstein-Cordozo Bioethics Certificate Program at the Benjamin N. Cordozo School of Law.   Prior to joining Bergen Medical Associates, Dr. Ayala served as an attending in Hospital Medicine at Jacobi Medical Center, holding an academic appointment of Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Pain and Palliative Care through the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She also served as the Medical Director for a hospice agency in the Bronx, followed by joining a hospitalist group in Westchester, NY.  Dr. Ayala  is Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine and speaks fluent Spanish.

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Alyse Bellomo, M.D., FACG

Dr. Bellomo earned her Medical Degree at Albany Medical College where she was awarded the Albert M. Yunich Prize for excellence in Gastroenterology. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency, Chief Residency and Clinical Fellowship in Gastroenterology at Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY. She is a Fellow of The American College of Gastroenterology. Dr. Bellomo is Board Certified in Gastroenterology.

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Bhavik Bhandari, M.D.

With a broad range of experience from treating patients at top level academic centers to caring for patients in our community practice, Dr Bhandari is well-suited to enhance the care of all patients across our practice settings. He graduated with honors from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Internal Medicine Residency program where he served as Chief Resident. He completed his Gastroenterology Fellowship at Drexel University, serving as Chief Fellow. Dr. Bhandari was on faculty at Drexel University as Director of their Digestive Health Center prior to joining the faculty at Rutgers RWJ. He served as Program Director for the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program leading the training for future gastroenterologists. He has won outstanding teacher and scholarship awards and has authored and co-authored several articles, chapters, abstracts and case presentations in the field of Gastroenterology. Dr. Bhandari’s special areas of interest include reflux, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome and challenging endoscopic cases. Dr. Bhandari is board certified in gastroenterology.

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Alan Briker, M.D.

Dr. Briker is a graduate of Yeshiva University/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He completed his Internship at Metropolitan Hospital and his Residency at Lenox Hill Hospital. Prior to joining Bergen Medical Associates in 2003, Dr. Briker was in private practice for 28 years. Dr. Briker is Board Certified in Internal Medicine.

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Crystal Broussard, M.D.

Dr. Broussard earned her medical degree at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  She completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, MD, followed by her Fellowship in Gastroenterology at The Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Broussard’s comprehensive medical training has afforded her a diversified experience in the management of gastrointestinal diseases. She is Board Certified in Gastroenterology and is the recipient of the Patient’s Top Doc Choice Award, Top Doctor Award by NJ Monthly, and Castle Connolly.

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Alicia Carti, APN

Alicia Carti is a board certified adult primary and acute care nurse practitioner. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Seton Hall University, and graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the same institution. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Alicia has developed exceptional skill as a gastroenterology nurse practitioner since joining Bergen Medical Associates. Prior to this, she worked in primary care medicine and was a nurse practitioner and diabetes educator for a NJ endocrinology group. Alicia's approach and style of practice is to educate her patients and manage their care while involving them in decision making for their disease management and prevention.

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Nina Cheung, M.D.

Dr. Nina Cheung, M.D., is a board certified internal medicine physician with over 18 years of clinical experience,  providing compassionate, patient-centered care with leadership roles in both corporate and healthcare settings. She earned her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA and completed her Internal Medicine residency at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, where she honed her skills in diagnosis and treating a wide range of complex medical conditions. She has extensive experience in both outpatient and inpatient care. Fluent in Chinese, (specifically Mandarin, Fuzhounese, and Cantonese), Dr. Cheung brings a unique ability to serve a diverse patient population. Her commitment to patient care is complemented by her roles in teaching and mentoring medical students and nurse practitioners, underscoring her dedication to the future of healthcare.  Dr. Cheung believes in the importance of work-life balance and strives to lead by example in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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Jeff Chung, M.D.

Dr. Chung graduated from State University of New York, Health Science Center in Brooklyn, NY. He completed his internal medicine Residency and rheumatology Fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT. He is Board Certified in Rheumatology and has been practicing medicine in New Jersey since 2004. Dr. Chung’s special interest is in caring for patients with arthritis and treating diseases that are associated with arthritis as well as inflammatory autoimmune conditions. He is conversant in Chinese, both Cantonese and Mandarin dialects.

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Margaret Co, M.D.

Dr. Co is a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. She completed her Residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and her Fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at New York Presbyterian Hospital – Cornell Campus. Prior to joining Bergen Medical Associates, she was in private practice in Ridgewood, NJ for over 20 years. Dr. Co is Board Certified in Allergy and Immunology and sees both adults and children. She believes in the importance of patient education and partnership in managing their conditions. Her special interests include food allergy, asthma, allergic skin disorders and immune therapies. Dr. Co is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in her field.

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Holly Doolittle Cullen, M.D.

Dr. Cullen is a graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She has completed both her Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology training at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey where she served as the Chief Medical Resident. Dr. Cullen provides comprehensive care for digestive diseases and primary care. She performs a full range of diagnostic endoscopic procedures and is Board Certified in Gastroenterology.

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Anthony DeLillo, M.D.

Dr. DeLillo is a graduate of Cornell University Medical College. He completed both his Internal Medicine residency and Clinical Fellowship in Gastroenterology at The Mt. Sinai Medical Center. Dr. DeLillo has a special interest in inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Dr. DeLillo is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and is fluent in Italian. He is Board Certified in Gastroenterology.

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Veena Desai, M.D.

Dr. Desai is a graduate of the University of Birmingham Medical School. She completed her Residency in Family Practice at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, NJ and is Board Certified in Family Medicine. Dr. Desai was born and raised in Coventry, England. She has a special interest in preventative care and is a diplomat of the American Board of Family Medicine. She is the Director of Family Medicine at Bergen Medical Associates.

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Anne Marie Finneran, APN

Anne Marie Finneran is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with expertise in Internal Medicine and Primary Care. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. and her Master of Science in Nursing from the College of New Rochelle in New York where she received the award for academic and clinical excellence. Prior to joining Bergen Medical Associates, Anne Marie worked as a Nurse Practitioner for a medical group in Bergen County and prior to that, as the Clinical Director at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, NY. She also specializes in Episodic, Occupational and Travel Medicine and has keen diagnostic and treatment skills for acute and chronic care.

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Susan Amy Flanzman, M.D.

Dr. Flanzman is a graduate of Brown University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY. She is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, where she teaches and mentors medical students. Dr. Flanzman is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and by the Institute for Functional Medicine. She integrates both conventional and functional medicine principles and testing in the care of her patients. Dr. Flanzman has a special interest in preventive health, cognitive and mental health, menopausal management, and nutritional and metabolic health.

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Stacy Galgocy, M.D.

Dr. Galgocy received her medical degree from Trinity School of Medicine in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. She completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center in Glen Ridge, NJ. Dr. Galgocy also obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Felician College, in Lodi, NJ with Summa Cum Laude distinction and was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing. Her special interests are cardiovascular medicine and preventative cardiology. Dr. Galgocy is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine.

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Richard Garden, M.D.

Dr. Garden received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and received his Medical Degree from The Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 1987. He continued his training at Mount Sinai, completing his internship and residency in Urology, serving as Chief Resident during his final year. He is licensed to practice medicine in both New York and New Jersey. Dr. Garden is Board Certified by the American Board of Urology and is a member in the American Urological Association. He has contributed to several articles regarding the latest developments in urology conditions and treatments and is the recipient of the American Urological Association Grand Prize for clinical research for work performed regarding bladder cancer. Dr. Garden has been practicing in New Jersey for over 30 years.

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Kedar Gokhale, M.D.

Dr. Gokhale graduated Magna cum Laude from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. He completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. He also has special interests in the prevention of foreign travel related disease and in the prevention of hardening of the arteries. He is a member of the International Society of Travel Medicine and has been practicing in Bergen County for over fifteen years.

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Allen Griggs, D.O.

Dr. Griggs received his medical education at the College of Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa. He then went on and completed both his Internship and Residency at St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey. Dr. Griggs is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and has been practicing in Bergen County since 1977.

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Sanchita Gupta, M.D.

Dr. Gupta is a graduate of Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India. She completed her Residency in Internal Medicine from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. Dr Gupta has a Masters in Public Health and a special interest in preventive care. She moved to the tri-state area after practicing medicine in Alexandria, VA. Dr. Gupta is a member of the American Medical Association and is fluent in Hindi.

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Jaclyn Heuer, APN

Jaclyn Heuer is a Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner specializing in Internal Medicine, Primary Care, and Nutrition. She received her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Felician College where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and received an award for academic distinction. Jaclyn graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition, with honors, from the University of Delaware. She then worked as a Registered Dietitian for a few years before she changed careers to nursing. Jaclyn received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University’s accelerated BSN program where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Prior to joining Bergen Medical, Jaclyn worked in Internal Medical/Primary Care offices. Jaclyn is passionate about preventative medicine, whole-body wellness, and nutrition.

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Mahmood Karimi, M.D.

Dr. Mahmood Karimi brings over 25 years of dedicated experience in family medicine, with a focus on compassionate, patient-centered care in Northern New Jersey. A graduate of Tehran University School of Medicine, Dr. Karimi went on to complete his internship at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and his residency at Beth Israel Medical Center. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Karimi specializes in managing chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as acute issues like bronchitis and abdominal pain. His breadth of knowledge allows him to provide comprehensive care for a wide range of health concerns.

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Heather Klavan, M.D.

Dr. Heather Klavan is a distinguished gastroenterologist who is triple board certified in Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, and Obesity Medicine. After graduating summa cum laude with a degree in Neuroscience from Tulane University, she earned her medical degree with AOA honors from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, with a distinction in gastroenterology research. Dr. Klavan then completed her Internship at New York Presbyterian-Columbia Medical Center followed by her Internal Medicine Residency and Gastroenterology & Hepatology fellowship at Yale-New Haven Hospital/Yale School of Medicine. She also pursued specialized clinical training weight management and certification in bariatric endoscopy. Dr. Klavan’s expertise includes colon cancer screening, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s Disease/Ulcerative Colitis), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), liver disease (cirrhosis, fatty liver/NASH), and weight management. Dr. Klavan prides herself in providing compassionate and individualized expert care for each of her patients.

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Andy Koo, M.D.

Dr. Koo completed both his M.D. and Internal Medicine residency at the NYU School of Medicine and completed his Gastroenterology training at Mt. Sinai Hospital. Dr. Koo was also a post-doctoral fellow in the study of various liver diseases at the University of Washington. He treats all aspects of gastrointestinal conditions and has special interests in the management of inflammatory bowel disease and therapeutic endoscopy. Dr. Koo is also trained in capsule endoscopy and endosonography. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and is Board Certified in Gastroenterology.

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Sandeep Kour, M.D.

Dr. Kour is a graduate of the Acharaya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital in India where she received her Medical Degree.  She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at The Icahn School of Medicine - Mount Sinai in the Bronx where she also served as Chief Resident, and completed her Endocrinology Fellowship from Westchester Medical Center University Hospital, New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY.  Dr. Kour is Triple Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology/ Metabolism, and Obesity Medicine. She has extensive experience in hospital and clinic settings and takes a compassionate approach to patient care to successfully diagnose and treat their conditions. Dr. Kour has special interests in Thyroid, Pituitary conditions, bone health and interpreting DXA (bone density scans), and is trained in Thyroid Ultrasound and Biopsies. She also has expertise in obesity management – with nutrition support and weight loss medications. In addition to English, Dr. Kour speaks Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu. She is a member of The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, The Endocrine Society and The Association of American Medical Colleges.

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Vivian Lan, M.D.

Dr. Lan received her medical education at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York and continued her Internship and Residency at the Mt. Sinai Medical Center. She has special interests in preventive care and women’s health issues and is an Associate of the American College of Physicians. Dr. Lan is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and has been listed repeatedly in the Castle Connolly Guide as one of "The Top Doctors in the New York Metropolitan Area."

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Robert Levine, M.D.

Dr. Levine earned his medical degree from Georgetown University, followed by residency training in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Gastroenterology at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He has a deep passion for all aspects of Gastroenterology, with a particular focus on building strong doctor-patient relationships. Dr. Levine dedicates time to listening to his patients, as he believes this is essential to providing high-quality care and achieving accurate diagnoses. He is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and has been recognized as one of "America’s Top Physicians" by the Consumers' Research Council of America.

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Francis McGorty, M.D.

Dr. McGorty is a graduate of UMDNJ New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ. He completed his Internship and Residency at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick and at The University Medical Center of Princeton. Prior to joining Bergen Medical Associates, Dr. McGorty was in private practice in Ridgewood, NJ. Earlier in his career he worked at Health Insurance Plan of New Jersey and at Pascack Valley Hospital in the Department of Internal Medicine. Dr. McGorty is a member of The American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association.

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Neeta Motiwala, M.D.

Dr. Motiwala is a graduate of Grant Medical College, Mumbai, India. She completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at UMDNJ, Newark, NJ and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. Prior to joining Bergen Medical Associates, Dr. Motiwala practiced in Bergen County for over 22 years in ambulatory care and private practice. She is fluent in Gujarati, Hindi, and Marathi and has a special interest in preventive care.

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Deana Nes, D.O.

Dr. Nes earned her DO and MS in Neuromusculoskeletal Medical Sciences from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and her Rheumatology Fellowship at New York Medical College – Westchester Medical Center.  Dr. Nes values building long-term relationships with her patients, emphasizing education and collaboration to achieve the best possible outcomes. She also has extensive experience in teaching and research, including designing a curriculum for resident training. Dr. Nes is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology and is fluent in English, Russian, and conversant in medical Spanish.

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Robert Pittman, M.D.

Dr. Pittman completed his postgraduate training in Gastroenterology at Mt. Sinai in New York. While he treats a wide variety of gastrointestinal conditions, Dr. Pittman has a particular interest in inflammatory bowel disease and is skilled in capsule endoscopy and radiofrequency ablation of Barrett’s esophagus. He has authored peer-reviewed articles and textbook chapters on both inflammatory bowel disease and capsule endoscopy. Dr. Pittman serves on the medical advisory committee of the NJ Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America and is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. He serves as Chief Medical Officer for Bergen Medical Associates and is Board Certified in Gastroenterology.

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Erica Rosenbaum, M.D.

Dr. Rosenbaum received her medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL.  She completed her Residency in Internal Medicine from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital,  Philadelphia, PA and her Fellowship in Rheumatology from the University of Miami School of Medicine. Prior to joining Bergen Medical Associates, Erica worked as a Hospitalist at Aventura Hospital in Florida. and most recently, as a Hospitalist at Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.  She is a member of the American Medical Association.

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Samantha Rosenzweig, DPM

Dr. Rosenzweig graduated from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. She then went on to complete her podiatric surgical Residency with an added credential in reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. Prior to joining Bergen Medical Associates, she spent some time in private practice in upstate New York. Dr. Rosenzweig believes that most foot problems can be treated non-surgically, however, she does specialize in surgical management of forefoot deformities especially arthritis of the big toe. She also takes a special interest in Diabetic foot care including wound management, sports medicine, and pediatric foot conditions. Dr. Rosenzweig is a former collegiate athlete who still competes locally in multiple soccer leagues and has completed several half marathons and century cycling rides. Dr. Rosenzweig is Board Certified in Podiatric Medicine.

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Laurie Schlussel, R.D., M.A.

Laurie received her Masters of Arts in Nutrition at New York University and completed her Dietetic Internship at the College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, in Newark, NJ. She has over 20 years of experience working in a variety of health care settings and has been involved in individual and group counseling situations, national cardiac and diabetes programs and is currently teaching college nutrition classes. Laurie is a Registered Dietitian and a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has been consulting with Bergen Medical Associates since 1999 to help improve our patient’s health status through medical nutrition therapy.

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Cristian Serna-Tamayo, M.D.

Cristian Serna-Tamayo, M.D., earned his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ, after completing his undergraduate studies at Cornell University. He pursued his internal medicine training at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine. Dr. Serna-Tamayo further specialized in Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine during his fellowship at The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York. Originally from Colombia, Dr. Serna-Tamayo is fluent in both Spanish and English. Board Certified in internal medicine, he is currently practicing with Bergen Medical Associates as a hospitalist.

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Kathleen Staunton, APN

Kathleen Staunton is a Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner specializing in the care of Internal Medicine patients. She received both her Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Nursing from Saint Peter's College. Prior to joining Bergen Medical Associates, Kathleen worked at the Valley Center for Women’s Health in Bergen County for 3 years and as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for 12 years. She is passionate about wellness and prevention and has a special interest in women’s health/peri and post-menopausal issues. Kathleen’s focus is on the ‘whole’ of each patient and understands the importance of how particular conditions and effects of illness influence patient’s lives as well as their families.

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Sabrina Tempesta, D.O.

Dr. Tempesta is a graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine. She also completed her Internship and Residency at UMDNJ-SOM and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Tempesta is an Adjunct Professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. She has a special interest in preventative care.

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Jaclyn Ulzheimer, APN

Jaclyn Ulzheimer is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in both Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Saint Peter’s University, specializing as an Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wesley College. With over 12 years of nursing experience, Jaclyn has developed a robust clinical background, particularly in endoscopy, pre-op, PACU, and ambulatory care settings. She has hands-on experience managing patient care in diverse healthcare settings, from hospitals and long-term care facilities to assisted living and outpatient offices.  Jaclyn specializes in assessing patients' needs, developing personalized treatment plans, and delivering advanced clinical services. She is passionate about patient-focused care and collaborates closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure the best outcomes for her patients.

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Janelle Yee, M.D.

Dr. Yee completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto in Canada and medical school at Xavier University School of Medicine in Oranjestaad, Aruba. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Mount Sinai Hospital Medical Center of Chicago and her Endocrinology Fellowship at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science at Chicago Medical School in North Chicago, IL. As a double Board Certified physician in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Dr. Yee takes a special interest in diabetes. With a holistic and compassionate approach, she is committed to providing comprehensive management while collaborating with each patient to develop individualized plans. Her goal is to educate patients and empower them to successfully control their condition.