We’ve all seen the wonderful news about Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID vaccine trials – preliminary estimates of greater than 90% efficacy. I, too, am extremely excited and hopeful, especially since I am a participant in Pfizer's trial. I’m here to break down what this all means and when we might actually be able to roll up our sleeves and get vaccinated....
Allied pediatricians, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and School Guidance Counselor, address the behavioral and emotional concerns of our children and families as we head back to school....
As summer vacation draws to a close, we all begin to feel excited and anxious for the new school year ahead. It is always tough to move on past great summer activities and memories we’ve created. This year is no different...
Based on current data, there is no evidence that well-controlled asthma is a risk factor for a poor outcome with Coronavirus infection. The CDC listed asthma as a high-risk category early in the pandemic because respiratory viruses are known to exacerbate asthma. However, the data coming...
You have been sheltering in place at home with your families since mid-March. We are finally in phase 4, and the family can get out of the house with masks and a bottle of hand sanitizer. You are trying to establish a new normal...
As quarantine continues at various levels throughout the state, maintaining emotional and social distance is difficult for all of us, but particularly for our teenagers. As a natural part of development, teens crave a connection with their peer group and rebel against authority. In addition, teenagers view themselves as invincible and their still-developing brains cannot assess potential consequences....
We have been sheltering at home and following the recommendations of social distancing, handwashing and wearing a mask when we have to go out. The good news in our area is the dropping mortality and hospitalization rates of COVID patients. There is a new concern, however, for our children - Pediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome or PIMS....
Spring allergies are in full force and now more than ever it is extremely important to control allergy symptoms aggressively during the pandemic. The weather is getting nicer and you may find yourself wanting to get out for a walk and get some fresh air...
As a pediatrician, I have always looked forward to the Spring. During a typical year, that’s when the flu season comes to end, overall illness is down, and the seasonal allergy visits replace visits of high fever and cough. This year March came in like a lion and came out like an entire pride of lions...
As we all know, children love to explore their environment. They also love to put things in their mouths—and we’re not talking about food! What do magnets, batteries, coins, and clips all share in common? They are household objects, and they are all baby choking hazards....
Being a parent is difficult under normal circumstances; it is even harder right now. Our own stress levels are high, and we see signs of anxiety in our children. Is this normal? Is there anything we can do? Your pediatrician, as always, is a great resource for anything having to do with your children. ...
We have heard a lot about the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the past few weeks. Just recently the CDC suggested to the American people to prepare for possible spread within our communities. So what does that mean for you and your family? Well first, don’t panic. There is no epidemic or pandemic here in the US. The CDC and all of us here at Allied believes prepare don’t panic....
17 minutes. In fact, every 17 minutes. This is the number anchorit.gov gives for how often children in the U.S. get injured in furniture and TV tip-over accidents. That’s more than 80 children a day....
The holiday season is here- Elf on the Shelf, Mensch on the Bench, Gifts Galore! The stresses we put on ourselves each year certainly make the holidays seem less enjoyable. After a rough few months of illness with my son and my dad, I have learned that my own family is what’s most important. I have promised myself that this year, along with my husband, we will solely focus on our children....
Holiday celebrations call for tossing your Mommy jeans aside and putting on that LBD (little black dress) that’s been hiding in the back of your closet. But first, please toss all the dry cleaning plastic in the outdoor garbage. In fact, check all your closets and get rid of...
Dr. Zilkha fun fact 1: As a senior in high school, I turned down admission to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to attend the 8 year medical program at Washington University in St. Louis (Wash U). One of my biggest dreads was having to take humanities course (wouldn’t have had to at MIT)...
Wow! I have always dreamed of writing a blog that would actually be published - and here I am, pinch me! Let me introduce myself; My name is Stephanie and I wear many hats. I am a wife, teacher, cook, housekeeper, secretary, party planner, boo-boo kisser, scary monster exterminator, and mother of...
The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) organizes World Breastfeeding Week annually from August 1-7. The slogan for this year’s event is, Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding involves not just moms and babies, but partners as well. Research shows women with strong support...
Dr. Naomi Levine Zilkha was born in the Bronx and raised on Long Island. She attended Washington University in St. Louis for both college and medical school. She then returned home, got married and did her residency in pediatrics at Long Island Jewish Schneider Children’s Hospital. After that, Dr. Zilkha was in pediatric private practice on Long Island for nearly 20 years. In 2015, she began a transition from in-person primary care to pediatric telemedicine. She has been a pediatric virtualist for the telemedicine company MDLIVE since 2016, and is very excited to now bring her telemedicine expertise to Allied Physicians Group. Dr. Zilkha and her husband have 2 daughters, Joely and Janna. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, organic gardening and ballroom dancing.
Dr. Eric Levene grew up on Long Island, New York. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Mathematics from Franklin and Marshall College and received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Long Island Jewish Hospital where he then continued for one more year as Chief Resident. He is a practicing partner at Chester Pediatrics in Whiteplains, New York. Dr Levene lives in Armonk, New York with his wife, Marla and two children.
Stephanie Ryan was born and raised on Long Island, New York. She currently resides in Wantagh, NY with her husband - Patrick, their golden retriever Payton, and their FIVE children- Jack, Parker, Brandon, Luca & Gabriella. After obtaining her Bachelor's degree in Education at Long Island University at CW Post and teaching for a few years she changed careers and worked in Healthcare Administration. While she thoroughly enjoyed her career in the corporate world, Stephanie decided that her children needed her with them more regularly and she became a stay at home mom. Most recently she decided to return to the classroom part-time at the preschool where her children attend. And now she is sharing stories from life with 5 kids with all of you!
Dr. Lauren Macaluso provides specialized medical care for breastfeeding mothers and their children. She is proud to have a medical practice where a mother can get her and her baby’s breastfeeding needs met in one place. She received her Bachelor of Science from Cornell University, her medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, and completed her pediatric residency at Children’s National Medical Center of George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr. Macaluso’s special interest in breastfeeding started after nursing her own two children while working part-time with medical students and residents in the newborn nursery. She identified a need for breastfeeding focused care and started her practice in 2006.
Bonnie Fachler is the co-founder of Home Safe Home Childproofing, LLC with her husband Jeffrey. Together, they have raised two injury-free children who are now both grown and happily married. Bonnie received her degree in Marketing and Business Administration from New York University, is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, and an Adjunct Professor at Nassau Community College for the past 11 years. As an active member of the International Association for Child Safety, she stays current with the latest trends and research in child injury prevention. She is a passionate public speaker reaching parents at nursery schools, daycare centers, parenting centers, and now by writing a monthly blog for Allied Physicians Group. Although education and childproofing have significantly proven to reduce the risk of injury, Bonnie strongly advocates for direct supervision as the primary responsibility of every parent and caretaker.
Rachel Levene is the daughter on Dr. Eric Levene and a former #alliedkid. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Microbiology at the University of Rochester and is currently a PhD candidate in molecular microbiology at Tufts University School of Medicine. Her work focuses primarily on influenza virus. She is passionate about all things vaccines and emerging viruses. She is here to help share the newest scientific developments in all things viruses. In her spare time she enjoys baking, reading, and exploring the Boston food and coffee scene.
Most of the kids in my life call me Dr. Bilello. My three favorites call me mom. I’m Dr. Rachael Green Bilello, pediatrician and mom of three. I’ve been a general pediatrician on Long Island for 10 years. I have special interests in breastfeeding medicine, nutrition, parenting and adolescent medicine.
