Headaches in Children
Daisy Berisha
Clinical focus in primary eye care and ocular disease including diabetic eye examinations, glaucoma screenings and treatments, anterior segment disease as well as pediatric eye examinations for children aged 5 and up.<quillbot-extension-portal></quillbot-extension-portal>
Dr. Berisha takes a special interest in dry eye disease, screening and management of glaucoma and diabetic eye disease, and finding the ideal corrective eyewear for each patient.<quillbot-extension-portal></quillbot-extension-portal>
David M. Loeb
<p>Dr. Loeb has an active translational research laboratory focused on understanding bone tumor metastasis. His laboratory developed a clinically relevant mouse model of sarcoma metastasis, and has used this model to perform preclinical testing of novel agents that can interfere with this process. More basic scientific studies in the lab involve exploring the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in Ewing sarcoma migration, invasion, and metastasis. Dr. Loeb is also studying the role of an enzyme called RNA helicase DDX3 in Ewing sarcoma biology, especially how this enzyme affects the repair of damaged DNA. More recently, the laboratory has developed an interest in targeting the metabolic reprogramming associated with metastasis as a way to prevent the outgrowth of distant metastases from disseminated tumor cells.</p>
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<p>Dr. Loeb is also actively involved in clinical research, including the development of radiopharmaceutical agents for the treatment of bone metastases and the development of a small molecule inhibitor of DDX3. He serves as the local PI for a clinical trial of reduced intensity haploidentical bone marrow transplantation for children with high risk solid tumors. Finally, as an offshoot of his laboratory work, Dr. Loeb is involved in the development of biomarkers of metastatic risk and of minimal residual disease in children, adolescents, and young adults with sarcomas.</p>
<p>Dr. Loeb is a leading pediatric oncologist and NIH-funded researcher. He has extensive expertise in sarcoma research and clinical care and is a bone marrow transplantation specialist. Dr. Loeb’s research spans the spectrum from basic and translational studies to clinical trials using novel therapies.</p>
<p>Dr. Loeb's PubMed bibliography can be found here: </p>
<p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/1fiIspwqfwUE46/bibliography/5…;
<p>David Loeb, MD, PhD, is Chief, Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Cellular Therapy at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore and Professor, Pediatrics and Professor, Developmental and Molecular Biology at Montefiore Einstein. His clinical work focuses on tumors of connective tissue, such as bone and muscle. He also has expertise in the care of children with other solid tumors. As a member of the bone marrow transplantation team, Dr. Loeb also cares for patients with acute leukemias and has expertise in the application of immunotherapy to childhood cancer.</p><p>Dr. Loeb earned his Bachelor of Arts in biology in 1987 at Johns Hopkins University. In 1993, he received his Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and, in 1994, his Doctor of Medicine at Columbia University. In 1994, he also began an internship in Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, followed by a residency in 1995 and a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology Oncology at the same institution.</p><p>Dr. Loeb has an active translational research laboratory focused on understanding bone tumor metastasis. His laboratory developed a clinically relevant mouse model of sarcoma metastasis and has used this model to perform preclinical testing of novel agents that can interfere with this process. One area of focus is the metabolic differences between cancer cells and normal cells, and between metastases and the primary tumor, with the intention of targeting these differences therapeutically. More basic scientific studies in the lab involve exploring the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma migration, invasion and metastasis. Dr. Loeb also studies the role of an enzyme called RNA helicase DDX3 in Ewing sarcoma biology, especially how this enzyme affects the repair of damaged DNA.</p><p>Dr. Loeb is also actively involved in clinical research, including the development of radiopharmaceutical agents for the treatment of bone metastases and the development of a small molecule inhibitor of DDX3. He has also directed a clinical trial of reduced intensity haploidentical bone marrow transplantation for children with high risk solid tumors. Stemming from his laboratory work, Dr. Loeb is involved in the development of biomarkers of metastatic risk and of minimal residual disease in children, adolescents and young adults with sarcomas. Dr. Loeb’s original research, based on his clinical and laboratory studies, has been published in multiple journals and books.</p><p>Dr. Loeb has been a recipient of many awards, including the Director’s Teaching Award in Clinical Science from Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2006, 2010 and 2015, and The Justin Straus Chordoma Research Award in 2009.</p>
Michael L. Lipton
<p><strong>Michael L. Lipton, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.R.</strong><br />Dr. Lipton, a neuroradiologist and neuroscientist, is Associate Director of the Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center at Einstein and Medical Director of MRI Services for Montefiore Health, both in New York. He divides his professional time between the clinical practice of neuroradiology, teaching and research. Dr. Lipton’s research broadly addresses the use of advanced noninvasive imaging technology to reveal heretofore-inaccessible substrates of brain dysfunction, particularly in the realms of behavior and cognition. More specifically, his research program has focused for nearly a decade on detecting and characterizing the effects of mild brain injury (AKA concussion). Specific areas of emphasis at present include the understanding of inter-individual differences in the manifestations of brain injury and the cumulative effects of repetitive subconcussive injury in sports. Dr. Lipton’s work on the impact of subconcussive “heading” on brain structure and function in amateur soccer players, funded by the Dana Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, has been reported extensively in the press worldwide.</p>
<p>Dr. Lipton develops and applies advanced quantitative MRI to enhance characterization of brain disease in patients with persistent symptoms related to traumatic brain injury and other disorders that are not adequately visualized using conventional imaging approaches</p>
<p>Dr. Lipton applies advanced imaging technology to characterize the effects of trauma on behavior and cognition. His work on repeated subconcussive head impacts in soccer players has been reported extensively in the press worldwide.</p>
<p>Michael L. Lipton, MD, PhD, FACR, is the Medical Director of MRI Services and an Attending Radiologist at Montefiore. He is also a Professor of Radiology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at our Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Lipton has been a member of the Montefiore team since 1997, with a clinical focus on developing advanced quantitative MRI to enhance characterization of brain diseases. He works primarily with patients who suffer persistent symptoms related to traumatic brain injury and other disorders that are not easily identified with conventional imaging approaches. </p><p>Dr. Lipton received his Doctor of Medicine from Boston University in 1990. He continued his studies by attending our Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he received his Master of Science with Distinction and his Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience. His postgraduate training began with an internship in internal medicine at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center completed in 1991. Over 5 years, Dr. Lipton completed a residency and chief residency in diagnostic radiology, followed by a 2-year fellowship in neuroradiology at Montefiore, completing his postgraduate training in 1997. </p><p>Dr. Lipton has completed substantial research on repeated subconcussive head impacts in sports, particularly in soccer players. His work on this topic has been reported on extensively in the press worldwide. Dr. Lipton?s other research focuses mainly on the brain and has been shared in a number of presentations internationally, as well as published in numerous books and papers. </p><p>In 2017, Dr. Lipton received the Distinguished Investigator Award from the Academy of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research. Dr. Lipton is board certified by the American Board of Radiology, is a Fellow of the American College of Radiology and is a member of numerous professional societies, including the the American Medical Association, and the American Society of Neuroradiology. </p>
Elissa G. Yozawitz
<p>Pediatric neurology, epilepsy, neonatal neurology.</p>
Dr. Yozawitz focuses on the management of neonatal neurology and pediatric epilepsy, particularly children and adolescents with difficult-to-treat seizures. She specializes in a variety of neurological conditions diagnosed in the newborn period, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, stroke, and seizures. She has expertise in EEG and advanced medical treatments. She provides care from the neonatal period through adolescence.
Dr. Yozawitz’s research is focused on neonatal seizures and early-life epilepsies, including infantile spasms. She is involved in multicenter studies to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for children with epilepsy. She is also involved in assessing EEG changes during anesthesia.
<p>Elissa G. Yozawitz, MD, is Director of Neonatal Neurology at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein and Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at our Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Yozawitz focuses on the neurological management of children, from the neonatal period through adolescence, particularly those with difficult-to-treat seizures. She also specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, stroke and seizures in the newborn. Dr. Yozawitz’s expertise includes electroencephalography (EEG) and state-of-the-art treatments.</p><p>After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and in health and society from the University of Rochester in 2001, Dr. Yozawitz earned a Doctor of Medicine from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in 2005. She completed a pediatric residency at Schneider Children’s Hospital in 2007, followed by a residency in pediatric neurology at Montefiore Einstein in 2010. Dr. Yozawitz remained at Montefiore Einstein to complete a fellowship in clinical neurophysiology in 2011.</p><p>Dr. Yozawitz’s research focuses on improving the identification and efficacy of treating early-life epilepsies, including infantile spasms. Her research also explores EEG changes during anesthesia. Dr. Yozawitz participated in multicenter studies, functioned as site principal investigator and co-investigator for multiple research projects, presented her research findings at national and international scientific meetings, published in numerous peer-reviewed journals and authored several book chapters. She served as a reviewer for medical journals including <em>Epilepsia, Epileptic Disorders, Neurology</em> and the <em>New England Journal of Medicine</em>, among others. For several years, Dr. Yozawitz participated in the work of international committees tasked to revise nosology and treatment guidelines for neonatal and childhood epilepsy.</p><p>Dr. Yozawitz is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Epilepsy and Neurology, with special certification in Child Neurology. She is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Epilepsy Society and the Child Neurology Society. Dr. Yozawitz repeatedly has been named in Castle Connolly’s “Regional Top Doctor,” “Top Doctors: New York Metro Area.” She additionally has been listed in <em>New York Magazine’s</em> “Top Doctors” for multiple years.</p>
Shiu M. Young
Melissa Yao
<p>Routine and Complex Cataract Surgery</p><p>Medical and Surgical Treatment of Glaucoma</p><p>Comprehensive Ophthalmology</p>
<p>Glaucoma</p><p>Resident Education</p>
<p>Wen-Jeng M. Yao, MD, is an Attending Physician and Associate Professor in Ophthalmology at Montefiore Einstein. Her clinical focus is on routine and complex cataract surgery, medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma, and comprehensive ophthalmology. She enjoys establishing long-lasting relationships with her patients, delivering the highest quality clinical and surgical care in ophthalmology, and teaching residents who are training to become future ophthalmologists.</p><p>After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree at Cornell University, Dr. Yao attended Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, earning her Doctor of Medicine in 2006. She began her postdoctoral training with a yearlong internship at Saint Peters University Hospital, followed by her residency in ophthalmology at George Washington University in 2010. In 2011, she completed her surgical glaucoma fellowship at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.</p><p>Dr. Yao’s research interests involve identifying epidemiological associations of glaucoma and advancing surgical and laser techniques for glaucoma therapy. Her work has been shared through peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, abstracts and poster presentations.</p><p>Dr. Yao is board certified and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Glaucoma Society. She was listed as a Castle Connelly Top Doctor in 2021, 2022 and 2023.</p>
Rodney L. Wright
Dr. Wright’s clinical interests include HIV during pregnancy, infectious diseases, sexually transmitted infections, global women’s health and maternal fetal medicine.
Following his clinical interests, Dr. Wright’s research focuses on HIV during pregnancy, prevention of perinatal HIV transmission, cervical dysplasia, HPV and global women’s health.
<p>Rodney L. Wright, MD, MSc, is Director, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wakefield Campus at Montefiore and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women’s Health, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine at our Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Wright’s clinical interests include HIV during pregnancy, infectious diseases, sexually transmitted infections, global women’s health and maternal fetal medicine.</p><p>After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in biology and psychology from Emory University, Dr. Wright went on to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, earning his Doctor of Medicine. His post graduate training began at the University of California, Irvine, where he completed a four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology. Several years later, Dr. Wright pursued a three-year fellowship in maternal fetal medicine at Montefiore-Einstein. After completing this, he continued his education at Einstein, earning his Master of Science in clinical research methods.</p><p>Following his clinical interests, Dr. Wright’s research focuses on HIV during pregnancy, prevention of perinatal HIV transmission, cervical dysplasia, HPV and global women’s health. He’s shared his research and expertise through many peer-reviewed journals, abstracts and invited presentations. He currently serves on the US Department of Health and Human Services Panel on Treatment of Pregnant Women with HIV Infection and Prevention of Perinatal Transmission.</p><p>An active member within the community, Dr. Wright is a member of the New York State AIDS Advisory Council and the New York State Taskforce on Maternal Mortality. He was awarded the Bronx County Medical Society “Peer to Peer” Excellence in Medicine Award. Dr. Wright received the New York State Commissioner of Health Commissioner’s Special Recognition Award in recognition of his work as co-chair of the New York State Perinatal HIV Guidelines Committee and service to the New York State Ending the Epidemic (AIDS) Task Force. Dr. Wright is board certified in both Maternal Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a member of several professional organizations including the New York Obstetrical Society, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.</p>
Daniel A. Weiser
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Childhood cancer research laboratory</strong></span></p>
<p>Our laboratory is focused on childhood cancer research with a goal of elucidating the underlying biology of the most aggressive malignancies. In such patients with typically incurable cancer, we are striving to identify new approaches to and types of treatment. We have multiple ongoing projects:</p>
<p><strong>+ Identification of biologic drivers of ultra-high-risk neuroblastoma</strong>. Neuroblastoma is one of the most common and deadly childhood cancers. Despite intensive research, there are limited therapeutic strategies for patients with <em>de novo </em>chemotherapy resistance that leads to particularly poor outcomes. We have been studying neuroblastoma since 2009 and are identifying additional biologic drivers of highly lethal tumors.</p>
<p>We compare tumor features from patients with early death from tumor progression compared to those with a maintained complete response. We assess unique histo-morphologic and proteomic features and computationally integrate these data with genomic and transcriptomic datasets to develop a combined predictor of primary refractory disease. Patients with this entity require non-standard and/or intensified treatment. Oncogenic drivers are being characterized in the lab which will facilitate strategies for novel pharmacologic intervention.</p>
<p><strong>+ Characterization of neuroblastoma development from neural crest cells</strong>. We are studying pathways and interactions that results in uncontrolled cell proliferation early in neuroblastoma development with an ultimate goal of identifying new targets and approaches for pharmacologic intervention.</p>
<p><strong>+ Evaluation of novel combinatorial targeted therapeutic approaches in neuroblastoma</strong>. With expected outcomes lagging behind those of more common childhood cancers, children with neuroblastoma require new approaches to treatment. Our lab works with multiple international clinical and research consortium groups to perform preclinical studies that substantiate human clinical trials. </p>
<p><strong>+ Detection of circulating tumor DNA in osteosarcoma</strong>. With no reliable non-invasive approach for disease monitoring during and after treatment, we are applying cutting edge next-generation sequencing approaches to identify solid tumors with a blood-based “liquid” biopsies. This will allow clinicians to assess tumor responsiveness to chemotherapy and predict likelihood of recurrence.</p>
<p><strong>+ Assessment of accelerated aging using miRNA-seq in survivors of childhood cancer</strong>. Chemotherapy has many untoward effects on healthy cells and leads to many signs of accelerated aging in children treated for cancer. Using a known microRNA “aging” signature discovered at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, we are studying what causes this phenotype in childhood cancer, with a goal of offering improved intervention to minimize long-term toxicity of treatment.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Physician Summary</span></strong></p>
<p>Daniel A. Weiser, MD, is board-certified in pediatric hematology/oncology with clinical expertise in neuroblastoma and other tumors of the adrenal glands, kidneys, liver, and gonads. He is the medical director of the intra-abdominal solid tumor program at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore and brings together a highly specialized multi-disciplinary care team to provide comprehensive treatment for diverse pediatric malignancies. In addition, Dr. Weiser directs a childhood cancer research laboratory that focuses on the identification of new targeted agents for cancer therapy, especially in the treatment of rare and aggressive malignancies such as neuroblastoma. His research goals are to understand the role of certain genes in the risk, development, and treatment of cancer. The approaches taken and agents studied hold promise for improving management of all patients with solid tumors.</p>
<p>Dr. Weiser participates in the efforts of a number of professional organizations including the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Advances in Neuroblastoma Research Association (ANRA), National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). He has received numerous awards including the Brigid Leventhal Special Merit Award from ASCO and the Conquer Cancer Foundation, and a prestigious K12 from the National Cancer Institute for the training of the next generation of physician-scientists in pediatric cancer. Dr. Weiser is actively involved in teaching and mentorship of trainees, and takes great pride in providing advanced and compassionate care to his patients and their families.</p>
<p><strong>Clinical Expertise</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Neuroblastoma (adrenal tumors)</li>
<li>Wilms tumor (renal tumors)</li>
<li>Hepatoblastoma (liver tumors)</li>
<li>Germ cell tumors (including testicular and ovarian tumors)</li>
<li>Thyroid and other rare tumors</li>
<li>Experimental therapeutics</li>
<li>Cancer genetics and biomarkers</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Board Certifications</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Pediatrics</li>
<li>Pediatric Hematology/Oncology</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Professional Education</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>M.D. – Stony Brook University, NY</li>
<li>Residency – Children’s Hospital of NY-Presbyterian, Columbia University, NY</li>
<li>Chief Residency – Children’s Hospital of NY-Presbyterian, Columbia University, NY</li>
<li>Fellowship – The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA</li>
</ul>
DR. Weiser's clinical focuses are neuroblastoma and adrenal tumors, Wilms tumor and other kidney (renal) tumors, hepatoblastoma, and other liver tumors, germ cell tumors (including testicular and ovarian tumors), Thyroid and other rare tumors, experimental therapeutics, and cancer genetics and biomarkers.
Dr. Weiser’s research goals are to understand the role of certain genes in the risk, development, and treatment of cancer. The approaches taken and agents studied hold promise in the treatment of all solid tumors. Dr. Weiser’s laboratory focuses on childhood cancer research with a goal of elucidating the underlying biology of the most aggressive malignancies. He has multiple ongoing projects, such as identification of biologic drivers of neuroblastoma at ultra-high risk for treatment failure, characterization of neuroblastoma development from neural crest cells, and evaluation of novel combinatorial targeted therapeutic approaches in neuroblastoma, among others.
<p>Daniel A. Weiser, MD, is a Medical Director of the Intra-abdominal Solid Tumor Program in the Pediatrics Hematology/Oncology department at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. He is also Associate Professor in the Pediatrics and Genetics departments at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His clinical focuses are neuroblastoma and adrenal tumors, Wilms tumor and other kidney (renal) tumors, hepatoblastoma and other liver tumors, germ cell tumors (including testicular and ovarian tumors), Thyroid and other rare tumors, experimental therapeutics, and cancer genetics and biomarkers. Dr. Weiser is actively involved in teaching and mentorship of trainees and takes great pride in his active participation in patient care.</p><p>Dr. Weiser received his Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology in 1995 at Haverford College, PA. In 2004, he received his Doctor of Medicine at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, NY. He is currently earning his Master of Science in Translational Research at the University of Pennsylvania. He began a residency in Pediatrics at the New York-Presbyterian, Columbia University in 2007. Dr. Weiser then completed a three-year fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. </p><p>Dr. Weiser’s research goals are to understand the role of certain genes in the risk, development, and treatment of cancer. The approaches taken and agents studied hold promise in the treatment of all solid tumors. Dr. Weiser’s laboratory focuses on childhood cancer research with a goal of elucidating the underlying biology of the most aggressive malignancies. He has multiple ongoing projects, such as identification of biologic drivers of neuroblastoma at ultra-high risk for treatment failure, characterization of neuroblastoma development from neural crest cells, and evaluation of novel combinatorial targeted therapeutic approaches in neuroblastoma, among others. His research has been published in many reviewed journals. </p><p>Dr. Weiser participates in the efforts of a number of professional organizations including the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). He has received many awards including the Brigid Leventhal Special Merit Award through ASCO, and he has been awarded a prestigious K12 from the NCI for the training of the next generation of physician-scientists in pediatric cancer.</p><p>He is board certified in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and General Pediatrics.</p>
Jacqueline Weingarten-Arams
Nutrition
Pulmonary hypertension
Sepsis
<p>Jacqueline Weingarten-Arams, MD, is an attending physician and Professor, Pediatrics at Montefiore Einstein. Dr. Weingarten-Arams’ pediatric critical care expertise focuses on cardiac critical care, acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, nutrition in critical illness and energy expenditure, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (quality CPR) and extracorporeal life support (ECMO).</p><p>After obtaining her Bachelor of Science in nutritional biochemistry at Cornell University in 1982, Dr. Weingarten-Arams earned her Doctor of Medicine at the same institution in 1986. She then completed her pediatric residency at Columbia University in 1990, where she was Chief Resident in her final year. Following this, Dr. Weingarten-Arams completed a fellowship in pediatric critical care medicine at New York Hospital Cornell University Medical College in 1996.</p><p>Dr. Weingarten-Arams research focus includes the use of deliberate simulated practice in improving outcomes in pediatric critical illness, pediatric resuscitation and pediatric airway management. Her other projects involve chronic critical illness, bioethics in pediatric critical care and oxidative injury in respiratory failure. She has been principal investigator and co-investigator on several research projects, and her work has been shared through numerous peer-reviewed publications and invited presentations.</p><p>Dr. Weingarten-Arams is a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Pediatrics. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Chest Physicians. She is also a member of several professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society and the Society of Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Weingarten-Arams has been named in Castle Connolly’s “Top Doctors: New York Metro Area” for multiple years. In 2006, she was inducted into the Leo M. Davidoff Society and in 2019, Dr. Weingarten-Arams won the William Obrinsky Award for Excellence in Medical Student Education.</p>