Meet Our Pediatric Gastroenterology Team
Meet the doctors, specialized nurses, child life specialists, research coordinator, and social workers who help your child during treatment at the Pediatric Gastroenterology Program, part of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.
Pediatric Gastroenterologists
Ayelet Goldhaber, MS, RD, Registered Dietitian
Ms. Goldhaber completed her dietetic internship through NYU at Montefiore Medical Center and holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition and dietetics from NYU. Ms. Goldhaber is a great resource for all things relating to food and nutrition, from symptom management to weight maintenance to healthy snack ideas.
Janis Meadow, MA, CCLS, ATR-BC, LCAT, Child Life Specialist
As a child life specialist at NYU Langone’s Fink Children's Ambulatory Care Center, Ms. Meadow helps pediatric patients and their families understand and cope with medical illnesses and experiences. By providing education, preparation, emotional support, and guidance, child life specialists such as Ms. Meadow encourage positive development and wellbeing in children facing a wide range of challenging life events.
Hayley Adkisson, LCSW, Social Worker
Ms. Adkisson, a graduate of NYU and the University of Georgia, is the senior social worker for the Divisions of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Nephrology, and Infectious Disease at the Fink Children’s Ambulatory Care Center. In addition to providing direct behavioral care, Ms. Adkisson is involved in program development, publications, and research for the medical center. She also serves as a clinical social worker for NYU Langone’s Adolescent Gender Clinic and NYU Langone’s Pediatric Celiac Disease and Gluten-Related Disorders Program. Ms. Adkisson specializes in adolescent medicine, chronic illness, survivorship of sexual trauma, and mood disorders. Her special interests include adolescent health and safety, eating disorders, and gender-affirming care.
Leora Hauptman, MS, RN, CPNP, Nurse Practitioner
Ms. Hauptman is a graduate of Columbia University’s School of Nursing, where she received both her bachelor of science and master of science degrees. She received a bachelor of arts in health: science, society, and policy from Brandeis University. Ms. Hauptman has many years of experience working with children with gastrointestinal disorders and developmental disabilities.
Michelle Chieco, BSN, RN, Nurse
Ms. Chieco received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Fairfield University and is a nurse on the gastroenterology care team. She helps patients and their families with any needs they may have, including scheduling appointments and preparing for procedures.
Kimberly Harrison, CPNP, Nurse Practitioner
Ms. Harrison is a graduate of Columbia University’s School of Nursing, where she received both her bachelor of science and master of science degrees. She also received her bachelor of arts in psychology from Colorado College. Ms. Harrison has been a pediatric nurse practitioner since 2007, providing care for children with chronic illnesses.
Kenza Hill, Pediatric Celiac Disease and Gluten Related Disorders Program Coordinator
Ms. Hill has worked in pediatrics as a program coordinator in both North Carolina and New York City hospitals for more than 10 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Salem College in North Carolina and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in psychology with a focus in medical research at Hunter College of The City University of New York.
Claudia Pantoja, MD, Research Coordinator
Dr. Pantoja is a graduate of Universidad Catolica Nordestana in the Dominican Republic, where she received her medical doctor degree. She is the research coordinator for the pediatric gastroenterology team.