The Children's IBD Center Team

Children with IBD have specific needs that require a team approach to management.

Keith J. Benkov, MD, Medical DIrector, The Children's IBD Center
Dr. Benkov is Associate Professor of Pediatrics and the Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology. His undergraduate degree is from Stony Brook University and he received his MD from Mount Sinai, where he also completed his post graduate training. Dr. Benkov is a nationally recognized authority in IBD and has been listed in America's Best Doctors as well as Who's Who in American Medicine. In 2002, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award in Pediatric Gastroenterology from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America's Greater New York Chapter. Dr. Benkov is the author of Managing Your Child's Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Our Staff

Nanci S. Pittman, MD
Dr. Pittman is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics. Her undergraduate degree is from Emory University and her MD from Hahnemann University. She completed her fellowship training at Mount Sinai, where she has worked for the past 10 years.

Clare Ceballos, RN, PNP
Ms. Ceballos is a Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and is the Clinical Coordinator for the Children's IBD Center. Ms. Ceballos completed her undergraduate degree in Southampton, England. She has a Master's in Nursing from NYU. Her work at the Center includes managing children and families with IBD, clinical research and planning Center activities and projects.

Kathy Hoffstadter-Thal, RN, PNP
Ms. Hoffstadter-Thal is a pediatric nurse practitioner and the research coordinator for the Children's IBD Center. Her undergraduate degree is from CCNY and she received her Master's in Nursing from Columbia University. Ms. Hoffstadter-Thal started working at Mount Sinai in 1980 and is now working on several research projects for the Center.

 

Marie Aromando, RN, PNP -- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Nutrition Support

Patrice Burke, RN, MS, CNSN -- Nurse Clinician, Nutrition Support

Bambi Fisher, LCSW
Ms. Fisher is the social worker for the Children's IBD Center. She is a graduate of Binghampton University and has an MSW from the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition, Ms. Fisher completed Fordham University's postgraduate program in Child and Adolescent Therapy. She has worked at Mount Sinai for over 15 years and is available to help families cope with IBD.

Sonia Pagán, MA
Ms. Pagán is the medical assistant and office manager for Pediatric Gastorenterology at Mount Sinai. She is an administrator for the Center.