OUR
APPROACH

The Gerald J. Friedman Transgender Program for Health & Wellness at Northwell Health/Lenox Hill Hospital was launched in 2016 under the leadership of Leonid Poretsky, MD, Chief of the Division of Endocrinology. 

We offer trans-affirmative, comprehensive care in a safe, non-judgmental environment for transgender and gender nonconforming communities throughout New York City and the tri-state area.

Our goal is to help you achieve a full and enriched life.  

We support your well-being across all aspects of your journey - whether you are seeking pediatric, adolescent, adult or geriatric care.

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Our
mission

Northwell Health Physician Partners provides exceptional, comprehensive and quality clinical care to patients, families and communities through an integral approach and with a commitment to exceeding customer expectations.

 

Our
Vision

To be recognized as a world class leader in delivery of the highest quality, compassionate and innovative medical care.

 

Our
Values

  • Patient Experience: always put our patients first
  • Integrity: be professional, honest, and protect privacy
  • Teamwork: work together and communicate effectively
  • Innovation: initiate change and promote creativity
  • Caring: be compassionate, respectful and supportive
  • Excellence: pursue greatness with passion and quality

Read Northwell's Patients' Bill of Rights here.

Our Team

 
Leonid Poretsky, M.D. Chief, Division of Endocrinology; Associate Chairman for Research; Director, Gerald J. Friedman Diabetes Institute; Department of Medicine Professor, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and Feinstein Institute for Medical Rese…

Leonid Poretsky, M.D.
Chief, Division of Endocrinology;
Associate Chairman for Research;
Director, Gerald J. Friedman Diabetes Institute; Department of Medicine Professor, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

Dr. Leonid Poretsky is currently the Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Associate Chairman for Research, and Director of the Gerald J. Friedman Diabetes Institute—all in the Department of Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City. He is also Professor of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. Dr. Poretsky was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he graduated from First (Pavlov) Medical Institute with honors in 1977. Upon immigrating to the United States in 1979 and completing medical residency, he graduated from the endocrinology fellowship at Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital (now Beth Israel/Deaconess Medical Center) and Harvard Medical School. He has authored over 100 publications and is the editor of a 1,000-page textbook entitled “Principles of Diabetes Mellitus”, currently in its 3rd edition. He is also the editor of “Contemporary Endocrinology”. Both publications by Springer Publishing, Inc.  Dr. Poretsky is co-editor of “Transgender Medicine, A Multidisciplinary Approach”, published by Humana Press. Dr. Poretsky’s research is focused on disease mechanisms and therapy of diabetes mellitus, reproductive disorders, and endocrinological complications of human immunodeficiency virus infection. His research projects have been supported over the years by philanthropy, industry and government grants, including the grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He has served on the NIH grant review committees and on the editorial board of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism and other journals.

Minghao Liu, MD. Director, Friedman Transgender Health and Wellness ProgramDr. Liu is an endocrinologist who provides hormone treatment for transgender individuals. As Director of the Friedman Transgender Program, she leads a compassionate, professi…

Minghao Liu, MD.
Director, Friedman Transgender Health and Wellness Program

Dr. Liu is an endocrinologist who provides hormone treatment for transgender individuals. As Director of the Friedman Transgender Program, she leads a compassionate, professional team experienced in gender-affirming care. Dr. Liu grew up in the Bronx and has a long history of working with underserved communities. As an undergraduate at Yale University, she studied medical Spanish and volunteered in a free clinic for uninsured patients. She graduated magna cum laude from Yale and holds a BS in Biology with honors. Afterward, Dr. Liu obtained her medical degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She returned to New York to complete her internal medicine residency at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein School of Medicine and her endocrine fellowship at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University.

Dr. Liu strongly believes in every individual’s right to physically match their gender identity. She is dedicated to partnering with each patient to achieve their goals for gender expression.

Al Asante-Facey
Physician Assistant, OB-GYN
Supervisor, Advanced Clinical Providers
Pronouns: They, Them

Al completed their undergraduate degree in neuroscience at Dartmouth College. They then moved to New York to  complete their Physician Assistant studies at Long Island  University-Brooklyn Campus. They have been practicing in Obstetrics  & Gynecology for nearly a decade, eventually settling in the  specialty of Gynecologic Oncology.

Al  has always been passionate about providing care to traditionally underserved populations. Initially, working with immigrant and HIV+ patients with cervical dysplasia and now providing  gynecologic care for trans* community. Their clinical priority is to establish an open and comfortable connection with each patient. They believe patients should be active participants in their own health care and encourages patient understanding of all medical conditions.

Al was instrumental in having LGBTQIA + sensitivity training included as part of the New Hires Orientation for Lenox Hill Hospital and provides the training to staff at various departments throughout the hospital.

Deeangelys Colon, B.A. Program Coordinator, Transgender Health & Wellness ProgramDeeangelys Colon, B.A., Program Coordinator: responsible for patient contact, navigation and outreach. Ms. Colon graduated with a BA in Psychology, Cum Laude from Q…

Deeangelys Colőn, B.A.
Program Coordinator, Transgender Health & Wellness Program

Deeangelys Colőn, B.A., Program Coordinator: responsible for patient contact, navigation and outreach. Ms. Colőn graduated with a BA in Psychology, Cum Laude from Queens College, City University of New York in the year 2000. During her time at Queens College, she was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and was active with the Gay & Lesbian Union educating the college community on transgender issues and advocating for LGBT rights.

Ms. Colőn has worked with transgender and LGBTAIQ + clients for over twenty years. She has worked at the LGBT Community Center of NYC as the Program Assistant for the Mental Health & Social Services Department and its Gender Identity Project; Housing Works Inc. as an Intake Coordinator and Outreach Specialist; AmidaCare Inc. as Enrollment Coordinator and Marketing & Member Services Representative, closely with AmidaCare Transgender Program.

Dee was a co-author for the chapter on resources for transgender individuals in the book, "Transgender Medicine, A Multidisciplinary Approach”, published by Humana Press.

Dee conducts LGBTQIA + sensitivity training at the New Hires Orientation for Lenox Hill Hospital and for various organizations in New York City.

Natalie Morrow, LCSW-R Social WorkerNatalie Morrow is the practice social worker in the department of medicine for the Gerald J. Friedman Diabetes Institute and the endocrinology division at Lenox Hill Hospital. She is a licensed clinical social wor…

Natalie Morrow, LCSW-R
Social Worker

Natalie Morrow is the practice social worker in the department of medicine for the Gerald J. Friedman Diabetes Institute and the endocrinology division at Lenox Hill Hospital. She is a licensed clinical social worker who received her master’s degree in social work from New York University and continued her education with a two year training program at New York Psychoanalytic Institute in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Prior to getting her masters, Natalie attended a two year program at the East West Institute for Holistic Health studying alternative approaches for treating the mind, body and spirit. She has spent the bulk of her career as a medical social worker; beginning as a hospice social worker and moving on to her work in endocrinology. In her role as staff social worker for the Gerald J. Friedman Transgender Health & Wellness Program, Natalie has counseled, provided support, case management and advocacy for members of the transgender community. Throughout her career Natalie has continued to study and utilize diverse philosophies and teachings and has developed a deep understanding of people and their needs. It is her goal to provide support and assistance with empathy and compassion so individuals may work towards living their best lives as their authentic selves.

Domenick ACQUISTA, MD. Internist/Primary Care PhysicianDr. Acquista received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. He subsequently attended medical school and graduated with honors from St. George’s University, Gren…

Domenick Acquista, M.D.
Internist/Primary Care Physician

Dr. Acquista received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. He subsequently attended medical school and graduated with honors from St. George’s University, Grenada. Dr. Acquista completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at New York Presbyterian-Queens. After completing his training, Dr. Acquista served his local community in Queens as a primary care physician. He also served as a representative for the medical community at large as a member of the Executive Medical Staff Society. He has held assistant professorship titles at both the NYU and Hofstra Schools of Medicine. Currently Dr. Acquista is an internist and a physician manager for the Executive and International Health Program at Northwell Health in Manhattan.

Adi Katz, M.D., FACOG
Consulting Gynecologist

Adi Katz, M.D., is a board-certified gynecologist who practices at Northwell Health Physician Partners Obstetrics and Gynecology at West 58th Street in Manhattan. Each year, she performs more than 250 gynecological surgeries to treat noncancerous gynecological conditions, such as endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis, bleeding issues and fertility-related issues.

Dr. Katz is also Director of Gynecology; Director of the residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology; and Vice Chair for Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Lenox Hill Hospital. She is an Assistant Professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

Dr. Katz went on to earn her medical degree at Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine and completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

After residency, she did a fellowship in minimally invasive gynecological surgery at the Nezhat Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Katz is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, and the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics. She speaks on a range of gynecological topics, including robotic surgery and resident education, and has been published numerous times in peer-reviewed journals. She will be treating transgender/ gender non-conforming patients seeking competent trans sensitive gynecologic care at the West 58th Street practice.

Shervin Shadianloo, MD. PsychiatristDr. Shadianloo works at the Friedman Transgender Health and Wellness Program as a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist. He has been working with transgender and gender non-conforming youth and adults for sever…

Shervin Shadianloo, MD.
Psychiatrist

Dr. Shadianloo works at the Friedman Transgender Health and Wellness Program as a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist. He has been working with transgender and gender non-conforming youth and adults for several years. Shervin is a graduate of Hofstra Northwell Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship where he is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry. He received his medical doctor degree from Tehran University and continued his education in psychiatry in Australia followed by residency and fellowship in New York. His interest in working with sexual orientation and gender identity variant population dates back to the beginning of his training in New York, where he joined LGBT committee in New York Psychiatric Society and has grown to have leadership roles in several LGBT/Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity organizations and committees. He is currently also the psychiatrist at Center for Transgender Care at Northwell in Great Neck, New York.

Shervin has presented at multiple international conferences and published reviews and chapters in books on care for gender non-conforming and transgender youth. He is an avid advocate for mental health care of youth and is co-chairing advocacy committee as part of his role as a board member of New York Council on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Luisa F. Gonzalez Ballesteros, MD. Pediatric EndocrinologistDr. Gonzalez was born and raised in Colombia. Her interest in medicine has been with her from childhood as she represents the second generation of physicians in her family.She obtained her …

Luisa F. Gonzalez Ballesteros, MD.
Pediatric Endocrinologist

Dr. Gonzalez was born and raised in Colombia. Her interest in medicine has been with her from childhood as she represents the second generation of physicians in her family.

She obtained her medical degree from one of the most prestigious universities in Colombia, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio. She continued her postgraduate education in the United States by completing residency in pediatrics at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, Weill Cornell Medical College. During these years she developed a strong interest in pediatric endocrinology and decided to pursue an endocrinology fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.

She then applied for her second fellowship and was accepted in neonatal-perinatal Medicine at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital of Yale University. Dr. Gonzalez is one of the few physicians with a double specialty to join the team of Northwell Health/ Lenox Hill Hospital.

After these unique learning experiences of two fellowships and extraordinary exposure to highly recognized medical centers, Dr. Gonzalez focused her attention on adrenal function and sexual development and she presently dedicates her time, research, continuing education and practice to this field. She believes that it is crucial to provide adequate care to transgender/ gender non-conforming children/ young adults. Understanding and guiding this specific population is paramount for their mental and physical well-being.

Dr. Luisa Gonzalez is a proud member of the Pediatric Endocrinology Society and she has joined the Transgender Health Special Interest Group. She is also part of the pioneering team at The Gerald J. Friedman Transgender Health & Wellness Program of Lenox Hill Hospital where, with a multidisciplinary team, she participates in developing strategies and implementing medical care and guidance for the transgender and gender non-conforming community.

With her accumulated knowledge, experience and commitment to her patients, Dr. Gonzalez is confident that she will make an impact in this field.

Dr. Luisa Gonzalez is also a member of: AAP/SONPM, ASBMR, ENDO and PES.

Dara Major ConsultantDara Major is an independent strategy and management consultant, helping clients to meaningfully align resources for results – at the individual, organizational and field levels. Clients include a range of foundations and social…

Dara Major
Strategic Planning Consultant

Dara Major is an independent strategy and management consultant, helping clients to meaningfully align resources for results – at the individual, organizational and field levels. Clients include a range of foundations and social sector organizations such as the Ford Foundation, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and LearnPhilanthropy.org, the online platform for grantmaker development that she co-founded. Her thought leadership has been featured in publications such as the Stanford Social Innovation Review, and her recent report in collaboration with Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors – Foundation Frameworks for Private Foundations: A New Model for Impact – was one of GrantCraft’s “five favorites” in 2017.

An active proponent of communities of practice that bring people together to share solutions and support innovation, Dara serves as a board advisor to several nonprofits and philanthropy serving organizations – including as Board Chair of the NYC Anti-Violence Project – and is a frequent grant reviewer for the New York State Health Foundation. Learn more at www.daramajor.com and follow Dara on Twitter @DaraMajor.

David M. Whitehead, MD, MS Plastic SurgeonDr. Whitehead is a fellowship-trained gender, hand, and plastic surgeon. He performs genital (vaginoplasty, phalloplasty, and metoidioplasty), chest (breast augmentation and chest masculinization), and facia…

David M. Whitehead, MD, MS
Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Whitehead is a fellowship-trained gender, hand, and plastic surgeon. He performs genital (vaginoplasty, phalloplasty, and metoidioplasty), chest (breast augmentation and chest masculinization), and facial surgery for gender affirmation. He was one of the first plastic surgeons to complete a year of formal fellowship training in gender surgery in the United States. Prior to his training in Chicago with Loren S. Schechter, MD, FACS, in Gender Confirmation Surgery, he completed a combined-model residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine / Montefiore Medical Center, follow by a fellowship in Hand Surgery at the University of Massachusetts. His medical degree was earned from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. He currently holds operating privileges at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY, and Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Lake Success, NY

Jonathan Bee Sr. CoordinatorJonathan Bee has been involved with social outreach and advocacy in the LGBT community for more than three decades, beginning in the 1990s at Gay Men’s Health Crisis, where he was one of the organization’s youngest volunt…

Jonathan Bee
Social Outreach Consultant

Jonathan Bee has been involved with social outreach and advocacy in the LGBT community for more than three decades, beginning in the 1990s at Gay Men’s Health Crisis, where he was one of the organization’s youngest volunteers. As a part of their Buddy Program, he provided support for people living with HIV and AIDS and was a strong proponent of bringing increased transgender awareness and sensitivity to the entire organization. In his role as Event Coordinator for the Children’s Hope Foundation, Jonathan worked with more than 120 hospitals and social service agencies in the New York City area, planning events for children and adolescents with HIV/AIDS. At Sisterhood Mobilized for AIDS/HIV Research & Treatment (SMART), he was Director of Youth Services and ran a program for transgender and gender non-conforming youth. Jonathan is committed to work that enhances transgender health and wellness and to further supporting the mission of the Friedman Foundation.

James P. Bradley, MD. Dr. James P. Bradley is board certified; specializes in Plastic Surgery and Craniofacial Surgery and is known for his innovative Facial Feminization Surgical techniques. As a Professor and Vice Chairman at Northwell Health Depa…

James P. Bradley, M.D., FACS
Plastic Surgeon

Dr. James P. Bradley is board certified; specializes in Plastic Surgery and Craniofacial Surgery and is known for his innovative Facial Feminization Surgical techniques. As a Professor and Vice Chairman at Northwell Health Department of Surgery, he performs complex facial reconstruction and cosmetic surgery. He studied Art and Anthropology at The University of Notre Dame; graduated from Jefferson Medical School; trained at University of Pennsylvania for General Surgery, NYU for Plastic Surgery and UCLA for Craniofacial Surgery.

He spent 15 years in Los Angeles where he lead the Craniofacial unit at UCLA; He was then recruited to be the Chief of Plastic Surgery at Temple University in Philadelphia before returning to New York City. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and consistently lectures and operates around the globe. He works cooperatively with the Friedman Transgender Program and is known for his caring nature and attention to details.

Nancy Silva-Mullins, MS, PT, PRPC
Supervisor of the S.T.A.R.S. Pelvic Rehabilitation Program
CAPP-Pelvic Certified Physical Therapist

Nancy Silva-Mullins received her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy in 2002 from the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. She specializes in pelvic floor physical therapy and has earned her Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy (CAPP-Pelvic) from the Section on Women’s Health (SoWH), in addition to her Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification.

Nancy started her physical therapy career in outpatient orthopedics and slowly transitioned to working in pediatrics and vestibular rehabilitation.  In 2015, she helped to create and implement a Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Program for Northwell Health. Nancy has taken extensive coursework in the treatment of transgender and non-binary populations. She has lectured extensively to the community on pelvic health and the benefits of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction. Nancy is currently practicing at STARS Physical Therapy of Northwell Health, in East Meadow, NY.

Caroline Ong, MD MHS, FACC Director, LGBTQ+ Cardiovascular Health As Director of LGBTQ+ Cardiovascular Health at Lenox Hill Greenwich Village, Dr. Ong is a cardiologist who is dedicated to delivering individualized and affirming cardiovascular care to LGBTQ patients. She is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, echocardiography, and nuclear medicine.  Dr. Ong was born and raised in Penang, Malaysia. She was awarded the Davis Scholarship to attend Wellesley College where she graduated with honors in Anthropology and Chemistry. Dr. Ong subsequently earned her medical degree cum laude at Yale School of Medicine where she also received a Masters in Health Sciences.  Dr. Ong completed her training in internal medicine at University of California San Francisco and her cardiology fellowship at New York University. Dr. Ong has experience working with and for diverse communities in San Francisco and New York. Her clinical and research interests are in queer health education, understanding LGBT health disparities, and helping LGBTQ patients achieve their optimal cardiovascular health. In addition, she has a special focus on structural heart disease and interventional echocardiography at Lenox Hill Hospital. Office: 7 Seventh Avenue New York, NY 10011 Phone: 646-973-3805 

Caroline Ong, MD MHS, FACC
Director, LGBTQ+ Cardiovascular Health 

As Director of LGBTQ+ Cardiovascular Health at Lenox Hill Greenwich Village, Dr. Ong is a cardiologist who is dedicated to delivering individualized and affirming cardiovascular care to LGBTQ patients. She is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, echocardiography, and nuclear medicine.  

Dr. Ong was born and raised in Penang, Malaysia. She was awarded the Davis Scholarship to attend Wellesley College where she graduated with honors in Anthropology and Chemistry. Dr. Ong subsequently earned her medical degree cum laude at Yale School of Medicine where she also received a Masters in Health Sciences.  

Dr. Ong completed her training in internal medicine at University of California San Francisco and her cardiology fellowship at New York University. Dr. Ong has experience working with and for diverse communities in San Francisco and New York. Her clinical and research interests are in queer health education, understanding LGBT health disparities, and helping LGBTQ patients achieve their optimal cardiovascular health. In addition, she has a special focus on structural heart disease and interventional echocardiography at Lenox Hill Hospital.

Office:
7 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10011
Phone: 646-973-3805 

Eric M. Ascher, D.O.
Attending Physician and Assistant Director Ambulatory Operations, Western Region
Chelsea, New York
Upper East Side, New York 

Dr. Eric Ascher is a family medicine physician who sees patients in Manhattan. He graduated from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at Plainview Hospital, Long Island. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association where he completed the Health Policy Studies Fellowship. He is pleased to treat patients in a community that he calls home with a focus on preventative care and healthy lifestyles. In addition to treating patients, he is involved in digital transformation initiatives to improve care delivery to patients. He is a 2020 and 2021 Super Doctors Rising Star, an annual list of providers in the New York Times. 

Baturalp Baserdem, M.D.
Primary Care Provider
Pronouns: He, Him

Dr. Baserdem is a board-certified internal medicine physician who delivers specialized, affirming healthcare that celebrates the fullness of the LGBTAIQ + community.

Dr. Baserdem began his medical career in his hometown of Istanbul, Turkey at the highly prestigious Marmara University School of Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York. He also received an MPA with a focus on Health Policy and Management from New York University's Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, and an MS in Health Informatics from Hofstra University. Dr. Baserdem has certifications with the American Board of Internal Medicine and American Academy of HIV Medicine.

Dr. Baserdem partners with his patients as an empathic, attentive doctor and nonjudgmental problem solver. He firmly believes that trust is key to a great patient-physician relationship and strengthens positive health outcomes.  He values compassion, privacy and confidentiality, reliability and dependability, and excellent communication.

His goal is to meet patients where they are, to empower their health and wellness.

Lyssett Martinez, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Pronouns: She, Her, Ella 

Dr. Martinez is bilingual/bicultural in Spanish. She obtained her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at La Salle University in Philadelphia, her pre-doctoral internship at New York University School of Medicine and Bellevue Hospital. Dr. Martinez is part of Lenox Hill Hospital’s Outpatient Mental Health Clinic. Dr. Martinez is a gender specialist and WPATH certified provider. She is also an Assistant Professor for the Department of Psychiatry, Zucker School of Medicine, at Hofstra University/Northwell providing treatment, supervision, education, and consultation across the hospital system on LGBTQ+ informed care.

In her private practice and her hospital position, she provides clinical services for a range of psychiatric disorders, with a special focus on gender, gender care, trauma, reproductive mental health, perinatal disorders, parenting, and couples therapy/partners therapy.

In addition to her broad range of clinical expertise, she specializes in providing culturally competent care and promoting culturally sensitive interventions to address the needs of immigrants, BIPOC, and QPOC communities.

Mike Strupp-Levitsky, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Pronouns: They/He

Mike Strupp-Levitsky, Ph.D. (they/he) is a white, gender fluid, queer, able-bodied, Jewish clinical psychologist at Lenox Hill Hospital, as well as in private practice. They completed their doctoral training at LIU–Brooklyn, their pre-doctoral training at Mount Sinai and Maimonides Medical Center, and their postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University.

Utilizing an identity-affirming approach, they work extensively with queer-identified folx in individual, group, and couple’s therapy. They practice from a relational, feminist, multicultural framework giving weight to both socio-cultural-political and psychological-interpersonal forces. Their research focuses on the ways in which people justify and perpetuate racist, heterosexist, capitalist systems, particularly in the context of the Unites States. They are deeply interested in understanding the role of both systems of power and privilege as well as of oppression and marginalization in the context of psychotherapy and the clinic.

Deanna Kawitzky, M.S. CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist 

Deanna Kawitzky graduated with her Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from New York University. At NYU, she conducted her own research study entitled "The Effect of Formant Biofeedback on the Feminization of Voice in Transgender Women", which was published in the Journal of Voice. She was also invited to present her research at the 2016 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association convention and was recognized with two prestigious awards for it. She has worked at Lenox Hill Hospital since 2018 and has been specializing in the treatment of voice disorders at the Center for Voice and Swallowing, with a focus on delivering highly individualized voice affirmation therapy to the transgender community. She has participated in workshops and trainings geared towards the specific voice issues of the transgender community and she is known for her collaborative, client-led approach.

Seth Kaplan, M.D.
Otolaryngologist - Head and Neck Surgery
Laryngologist - Voice and Swallowing Disorders 

Dr. Seth Kaplan is the Director of The Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders at Lenox Hill and Manhattan, Eye, Ear & Throat Hospitals.  He completed his Fellowship training in Laryngology at Cleveland Clinic Hospital.  He is an active member of the Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, as well as the American Laryngological Association and The New York Laryngological Society. Dr. Kaplan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Zucker School of Medicine.

He is actively involved in clinical research and has published numerous peer reviewed publications and book chapters. His research has focused on neuro-laryngology, airway and breathing disorders.

Dr. Kaplan’s clinical interests include all aspect of voice and swallowing disorders including evaluation and management of voice affirmation in the transgender community.  He believes in individualized treatment plans and works collaboratively with his Speech Pathology partners for optimal results.

Peter Meacher, M.D.
Director of LGBTQ+ Care for the Western Region at Northwell Health

Peter Meacher (he/him) is an openly gay physician who completed Medical School at London University (Charing Cross & Westminster), trained in the UK, Australia and the US.  He has spent his entire career as a Family Physician and an HIV Specialist working in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) Healthcare, initially as a Community Activist and Primary Care Physician in the Bronx, training at Montefiore's Family Medicine Residency Program where he was Chief Resident and a Faculty Development Fellow.  He was co-founder of a community-based organization connecting LGBTQ Bronx residents with local LGBTQ-affirming healthcare professionals.  Under his leadership, the organization gained NYS Department of Health funding and became the leading LGBTQ health organization in the Bronx.  He worked as the Medical Director of a Federally Qualified Health Center in the South Bronx for over a decade before becoming Chief Medical Officer of Callen-Lorde 2013-2023.  He is thrilled to be in a newly created position as Director of LGBTQ Care for Northwell’s Western Region, including most of NYC and Westchester, and looks forward to working with the Friedman Center to expand access to transgender & gender non-binary (TGNB) care within Northwell.

Ashley Aluko, M.D.
Reproductive Endocrinologist

Ashley Aluko, M.D., is a reproductive endocrinologist at Northwell Health Fertility of New York City. She specializes in fertility preservation (egg and embryo freezing) and third party reproduction (use of donor eggs, donor sperm, and gestational carriers). Dr. Aluko earned her medical degree from Harvard Medical School, completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and received subspecialty training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Weill Cornell. Dr. Aluko truly enjoys helping patients achieve their family building goals, and she is known for her supportive and patient nature. 

Ward Carpenter, M.D.
Director of the Retroviral Disease Clinic for Lenox Hill Hospital

Dr. Ward Carpenter is a board-certified internist, HIV specialist and expert in LGBT primary care including transgender medicine.  He earned his medical degree from UMDNJ – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey where he first discovered his passion for community health. He has spent his entire medical career providing LGBT-specialized primary care and HIV care in both private practice and community health settings, including two of the largest LGBT health clinics in the country - Callen Lorde Community Health Center in NY and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. He approaches the practice of medicine from an integrative perspective, helping patients to identify their own health priorities and to choose the right path to achieve their individual goals.

Dr. Carpenter is also a physician leader and administrator, previously serving as Chief Health Officer of the Los Angeles LGBT Center where he oversaw the care of 25,000 patients. Upon returning home to NY in 2024, Dr Carpenter joined the Northwell Health – Lenox Hill Hospital family in the role Medical Director of the Retroviral Disease Clinic (RDC) where he is helping to implement expansion of LGBT-specialized services to the NYC community. Dr Carpenter lives in Manhattan with his husband and his elderly old English sheepdog and will be welcoming a new corgi puppy into their home soon.

Melanie Swan, PT, DPT
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
Pronouns: She, Her

Melanie earned her doctorate in Physical Therapy from Hunter College in Manhattan and is currently treating patients in both Manhattan and Queens, NYC at Northwell Health STARS Rehabilitation facilities. She uses a trauma informed treatment style and loves teaching patients how to move their bodies in ways that feel good. Her primary areas of focus include pelvic pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and postural imbalances. Melanie looks forward to working with the Friedman Transgender Program to expand pelvic health services to transgender and gender non-conforming patients.