Experienced and Committed Airway Health Professionals and Advocates
Our board members and advisors are leaders in their respective fields, contributing a broad range of expertise to our mission from medical dental & allied health professionals to experts in research, education, policy, advocacy, marketing, and business, our team has come together to ensure the realization of our Foundation’s vision.
To learn more about airway health or explore solutions from many perspectives, visit our team’s websites or contact them directly for guidance and support.
Sydney Avis, a passionate advocate for health and wellness, co-founded and serves as the Executive Director of The Airway Revolution Foundation, a non-profit, 501c3 organization. Her journey towards this impactful role was shaped by personal experiences and a deep commitment to helping others achieve optimal health.
After struggling with various health deficiencies for many years, Sydney embarked on a transformative self-healing journey. With a background in Yoga, Ayurvedic medicine, and a Certification as an Integrative Health Coach, Sydney worked tirelessly to make sense of her own health struggles as well as those around her. However, despite her education and commitment to wellness through diet, exercise, and stress management, Sydney continued to battle her own health challenges.
It was not until she received a diagnosis of an airway disorder that Sydney found a pivotal piece to her health puzzle—proper breathing and sleep. Motivated by her personal journey and armed with newfound knowledge, Sydney, alongside her father, Dr. Victor Avis, founded The Airway Revolution Foundation.
As the Executive Director of The Airway Revolution Foundation, Sydney is committed to raising awareness about the significance and complexity of airway disorders. Through groundbreaking initiatives such as, a soon to be completed documentary series, “Breathless,” community health literacy programs, and leading a national grassroots movement, The Airway Revolution Foundation will elevate the quality of and access to upper airway disorder care. In this pursuit, the Foundation will help tens of millions of children and adults live better, healthier lives.
Executive Director
Dr. Victor Avis, a graduate of Duke University and Georgetown University Dental School, is a third-generation general dentist. In 2022, the Avis dental practice proudly celebrated its 100th year anniversary on Staten Island, New York. Dr. Avis has a comprehensive restorative practice that includes orthodontics and implant surgery.
During his career-long journey of multidisciplinary studies, Dr. Avis became fascinated with the growing body of knowledge on the oral-systemic connection and the greater role of dentistry in patients’ health span and life span. Dr. Avis’ studies in airway, periodontal disease management, orthodontics, orthotropics, and systemic disease prevention helped him to uncover and successfully co-treat a significant airway disorder in his oldest daughter, Sydney.
Together in 2021, father and daughter founded the not for profit, 501(c)3, The Airway Revolution Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to raise awareness around upper airway disorders through a captivating documentary series, and community health literacy programs; to impact airway education through partnerships with universities, and to improve airway disorder care so that millions can live better, healthier lives.
Chairman of the Board
Dr. Alfi, a native of Los Angeles, discovered his passion for oral surgery at Columbia University, where he immersed himself in its multifaceted specialties. Following his residency, he joined Houston Methodist and Texas Children’s Hospital, where he honed his skills as a full-scope surgeon and associate professor.
Driven by a commitment to research and innovation, he established his private practice, introducing an airway-centric approach to surgical care. Pioneering the custom jaw surgery protocol, known as the Alfi Method, he emphasizes personalized treatment to optimize outcomes. With a focus on excellence and utilizing cutting-edge techniques, Dr. Alfi ensures comfort and confidence for every patient.
Grateful for the opportunity to enhance lives through better health, he approaches each case with dedication and empathy.
Board Member
Dr. DeSimone is the Director of Clinical Services and Founder of The Sensory Studio, a pediatric speech and occupational therapy practice in Staten Island. Dr. DeSimone built her practice based on clinical foundations of teamwork with professional collaboration and mentorship in mind. Michele holds a Doctoral Degree in Clinical and Research-based Speech-Language Pathology. She holds a Master’s Degree from New York University in Communication Sciences & Disorders as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology from St. John’s University. Michele holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Dr. DeSimone is an active member of The Special Interest Groups in Speech-Language Pathology for Language Learning & Education, Neurogenic Communication Disorders, Craniofacial & Velopharyngeal Disorders, Swallowing Disorders, and Global Issues in Communication Sciences & Related Disorders. Dr. DeSimone is licensed with the New York State Office for the Professions and holds a Teacher of Speech and Language Disabilities Certificate from The New York State Education Department, as well as a Speech-Language Pathology Certificate from The New York State Department of Health. Michele has extensive training in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders, pediatric motor speech disorders (including PROMPT and Kaufman Protocol Training), Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders, Peer Socialization Skills, and Early Childhood Language Development.
Michele is happily married and resides in Staten Island with her husband, son, and daughter. She enjoys traveling for work and pleasure, practicing yoga, and cooking for her family.
Board Member
Dr. Michael Gelb, DDS, MS is a world-renowned TMJ and Sleep Specialist with practices in both New York City and White Plains.
He received his D.D.S. degree from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and his M.S. from SUNY at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Gelb is the co-author of GASP: Airway Health- The Hidden Path to Wellness, and the co-founder of both The Foundation for Airway Health and The American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry.
The Gelb Center was founded over 30 years ago by Dr. Michael Gelb’s father, Dr. Harold Gelb. Since then, Dr. Michael has taken his father’s findings to the next level through his Airway Centric® integrated therapy. He invented the ACG™ Airway Centric® System with the help of ProSomnus Sleep Technologies. The ACG System is the first day and night dental appliance solution that offers an integrated approach to addressing airway issues.
Dr. Michael Gelb is dedicated to improving his patients’ health by reducing pain, restoring refreshing sleep and transforming lives.
Board Member
Board Member
Dr. Gina Pritchard is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, specializing in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Treatment. She is the owner of The Prevent Clinic which has offices in New York and Texas.
She is one of the nation’s leading specialists in the prevention of heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and vascular-related dementia. Dr. Pritchard’s Doctoral work focused on ways to increase the global use of preventive medicine through, high-quality assessment of the vascular wall, specifically the arterial intima-media, to ensure life-long arterial wellness. The knowledge, techniques, and treatments are currently available to live a life free from these top devastating diseases – heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and dementia.
Dr. Pritchard’s life work is focused on bringing life-saving education and tools to millions so that each individual can live a beautiful life uninterrupted by disease.
“In my work, I focus on reversing and treating the root causes of heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and vascular-related dementia. One of the most common and dangerous, yet often unrecognized, root causes of disease is inadequate oxygenation due to airway-related dysfunction. What an evolution has occurred in recent years in the diagnosis of and treatment options for an inadequate airway and breath-related health concerns! My practice and the practice of my colleagues continues to change as the science guides us to provide better outcomes in quality and length of life.
Board Member
Dr. Schwartz has been a family medicine physician at Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group for twenty-eight years, practicing broad-spectrum family medicine. He has been on leadership groups of multiple large, innovative projects, including LEAN and an innovative project building multidisciplinary teams for chronic care management.
Dr. Schwartz has been passionate and involved with global medical health in the Dominican Republic and Guatemala for over 15 years. He’s a Board member at Timmy Global Health which culminated in a year of volunteer work in Guatemala where he ran a small medical clinic providing care for an indigent population outside of Antigua.
Board Member
Scott A. Siegel, MD, DDS, FACS, FICS, FAAP is a double board certified, dual degree MD, DDS, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. Dr. Siegel is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, International College of Surgeons, and the first oral and maxillofacial surgeon awarded Fellowship to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Siegel is also an active member of numerous medical and dental professional organizations. Dr. Siegel has over 25 years experience as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and has devoted the past 21 years to treatment of issues related to tethered oral tissues, (TOTs).
Dr. Siegel has performed over 30,000 tethered oral tissue surgical procedures to date and is an internationally recognized pioneer in the field.
Educated at the State University of New York at Stony Brook Schools of Medicine and School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Siegel maintains a private practice based in New York City, and Long Island, NY.
During his surgical residency and in private practice Dr. Siegel was mentored by world renowned pediatric surgeon and tongue-tie pioneer Elizabeth “Betty” Coryllos, MD, FACS, FRCS, FAAP. Dr. Siegel has been treating TOTs patients for the past 20 plus years ranging from infants to adults. Dr. Siegel lectures internationally and conducts clinical research and publishes in various areas related to TOTs including aerodigestive disorders related to TOTs such as Aerophagia Induced Reflux (AIR). Dr. Siegel is currently working as a clinical investigator in two major IRB approved clinical research projects.
Dr. Siegel is working in collaboration with the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University and Tel Aviv University in understanding the kinematics of tongue movement in infants, children and adults with ankyloglossia. Dr. Siegel is also working with the Child Development Lab, City University of New York investigating objective parameters of infant sleep before and after lingual frenectomy.
Board Member
Dr. Hueldine Webb is a board-certified general surgeon who is a graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta. She earned her MD degree from the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University.
She completed residency in general surgery at the New York Hospital of Cornell University.
She joined the faculty of S.U.N.YDownstate in Brooklyn, New York in 1982. She has dedicated her 40- year career as a teacher and role model to scores of medical students and surgical residents while delivering surgical care to veterans, both male and female at the New York Harbor Health Care Center in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
She is the director of the Breast Clinic at the Hospital where she provides specialized surgical care to veterans in the tristate region.
Board Member
Dr. Bhargava is a board-certified sleep medicine and internal medicine physician currently practicing at the Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group in the San Francisco Bay Area. He holds the position of Medical Director at their sleep center in Dublin, California. With over 30 years of experience practicing in the United States, Dr. Bhargava brings a wealth of expertise to his role.
Originally from India, Dr. Bhargava completed his medical education, including additional medical and surgical training, in New Delhi before relocating to the United States. He pursued residency training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx and has subsequently practiced in both Nevada and California.
Throughout his career, Dr. Bhargava has demonstrated strong management and leadership skills honed through various clinical practices. He provided rural healthcare services in Elko, Nevada, where he served as an internist and sleep medicine specialist. During his tenure at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, where he has held the position of Associate Professor of Medicine for 10 years, Dr. Bhargava played an important role in educating medical students and resident physicians. While at the university he coordinated courses and held numerous administrative positions, including medical directorships at AASM-accredited sleep centers in Nevada. He continues to serve there as volunteer faculty.
Dr. Bhargava is distinguished as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) National Medical Honor Society and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He is recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (FAASM) and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP). His dedication to excellence in patient care, education, and leadership underscores his commitment to advancing the field of medicine.
Advisory Board Member
A Board –certified Pediatric Dentist, she has 35 years of training and expertise to her credit. A graduate of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, Dr Bijoor completed her post-graduate training in Pediatric Dentistry at the Columbia University Medical Center. Dr Bijoor then started her private practice in Briarcliff Manor in NY, and very soon, became the first provider of Pediatric Laser Dentistry for both soft and hard tissue treatment in the Tristate area. In addition, her other main areas of focus have always been prevention of disease and early intervention of any potential problems in the developing child. She continued this quest by successfully completing the Executive MPH Program in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.
Advisory Board Member
Kevin Boyd is a board-certified pediatric dentist practicing in Chicago. He is also an attending instructor in the residency-training program in Pediatric Dentistry at Lurie Children’s Hospital where he additionally serves as a dental consultant to the Sleep Medicine service.
Prior to completing his dental degree from Loyola University’s Chicago College of Dentistry in 1986, he obtained an advanced degree (M.Sc.) in Human Nutrition from Michigan State University where his research interests were focused on unhealthy eating, dental caries, obesity and diabetes. Kevin attended the University of Iowa for his post-graduate residency training where he received a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry in 1988. Dr. Boyd has served on the teaching faculties of the University of Illinois College of Dentistry, the University of Michigan’s College of Dentistry, the University of Chicago Hospital, Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center and Michael Reese Hospital as an attending clinical instructor.
He is currently completing pre-requisite course work in Biological Anthropology at Northeastern Illinois University in preparation for graduate study and research in the newly emerging discipline of Evolutionary Medicine. His clinical focus is centered upon prevention of oral and systemic disease through promotion of healthy breathing and eating; his primary research interest is in the area of infant/early childhood feeding practices and how they impact palatal-facial development, naso-respiratory competence and neuro-cognitive development. He is currently a visiting Scholar at U.Pennsylvania doing research in the areas of anthropology and orthodontics
He has recently appointed as an adjunct Assistant Professor in the Dept of Anthropology at the University of Arkansas.
Advisory Board Member
Sahil Chopra is a quadruple-boarded pulmonary, critical care, sleep, and internal medicine physician.
He is trained at UCLA, Loma Linda University, and Harvard Medical School.
He is the Chief Medical Officer of Empower Sleep, a telehealth precision sleep medicine practice.
Over the course of five years, along with their team, they have analysed over 100,000 nights of sleep testing, both in the episodic and longitudinal care fashion.
He has published over 5 publications on the topic of precision sleep medicine. He has helped co-develop an AI system for assessing longitudinal sleep data. He brings a wealth of information and knowledge at the intersection of how sleep interacts with other human functions.
Outside of sleep medicine, he continues to practice in the ICU and pulmonary wards.
Advisory Board Member
Dawn Nacchio-Christie is a dedicated healthcare professional and accomplished coach whose career reflects a lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and community impact.
For 31 years, Dawn served as a Registered Dental Hygienist alongside Dr. Victor Avis, where she played an integral role in building a patient-centered practice grounded in whole-body wellness. Over the past decade, the practice placed a strong emphasis on recognizing and educating patients about overall health, with a particular focus on airway disorders and their connection to long-term well-being. Dawn was passionate about helping patients understand how oral health influences systemic health, empowering them through education and compassionate care.
In addition to her clinical expertise, Dawn served as Office Manager, overseeing daily operations, managing accounts receivable, and conducting patient consultations. Her leadership ensured the practice ran efficiently while maintaining a warm, personalized environment where patients always felt heard and valued. Her dedication and professionalism helped shape a practice culture centered on excellence and trust.
Now recently retired from dentistry, Dawn has embraced another long-standing passion: coaching. For the past 10 years, she has served as the Head Coach of the Notre Dame Academy Swim Team, where she leads with the same energy, integrity, and mentorship that defined her healthcare career. Under her guidance, student-athletes have grown not only as competitors, but as confident and resilient young women.
Continuing her commitment to the sport, Dawn is currently pursuing her USA Swimming Official Certification through USA Swimming, further expanding her knowledge and contribution to competitive swimming.
Whether in a dental practice or on the pool deck, Dawn’s career is marked by leadership, heart, and an unwavering dedication to improving the lives of those she serves.
Advisory Board Member
Eileen Corigliano is a lifelong educator. She has been a member of the Staten Island Academy community since 1995. During her time at the Academy she has taught classes in Lower, Middle and Upper Schools, (PK through Grades 12). She has been an academic advisor, athletic coach as well as a student club moderator. Without hesitation, she affectionately calls the Academy home.
Dr. Corigliano, is affectionately called Dr. Crig by her students and peers. She can be found in her office with students and faculty, visiting classrooms, teaching or coaching. She feels it is important to maintain a connection to students and faculty by continuing to teach in the classroom and on the court. Being accessible, as part of the day-to-day with students, faculty and parents, is something she feels is essential to who she is as a leader and what the Academy community is all about.
Eileen earned her Doctoral in Education in 2022 at Northeastern University. Additionally, she has a Professional Diploma in Educational Administration and Supervision, a Master of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in Reading, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Speech Communication from St. John’s University. She was awarded the Administrator of the Year by the New York State School Counselor Association, National Association of Independent Schools Fellow, as well as other accolades over her time at the Academy. Additionally, she has served on and led various school evaluation teams for the New York State Association of Independent Schools.
Educating the “whole child” is the foundation of her educational philosophy. She believes that schools should offer a variety of core academic programs, including athletics, arts, technology and community-based service opportunities, while fostering intellectual, creative, social and physical development, all in a safe and nurturing environment.
Eileen serves on the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board. She is an active member of BRASI, Brooklyn and Staten Island Heads of School as well as serves as the Co-treasurer of The Guild, and organization for New York City Heads. Eileen is tremendously proud of the capital campaign work she has done along with the Board for the Academy, ranging from an equitable salary scale, renovation of existing spaces and the installation of a Innovation Lab were students and teachers can explore, create and imagine beyond the walls of a standard classroom. Additionally, introducing the school to Tigger, the Academy dog has broaden the educational experience to include the love, care, compassion and empathy for a K9 friend.
Advisory Board Member
Nicolas Elian, DDS, is president and CEO of Vizstara. Renowned for his expertise in the evaluation and retreatment of implants, Dr. Elian’s clinical practice focuses on surgical procedures such as advanced bone grafting and ridge augmentations. He completed his DDS degree and postgraduate studies in prosthodontic and implant dentistry at NYUCD. Dr. Elian was head of the Division of Implant Dentistry and program director, and director of experimental research at New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) for over 10 years. Dr. Elian consults on product development for industry manufacturers and is an inventor and expert in both cell culture and tissue engineering. An international instructor, Dr. Elian is a visiting professor at the University of Chietti, Italy, and Tong Ji University, China, as well as an honorary professor at El Instututo de Investigaciones Craneo Dento Maxilo Facial de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Argentina. He was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He is also currently a Board Examiner for the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI)
Advisory Board Member
Dr. Piya Gandhi has been practicing dentistry since 2009 and completed her pediatric specialty training at the University of Texas in Houston. Her practice is inspired by her role as a mother to her two daughters, Cyrah and Ayana. Dr. Gandhi emphasizes the critical role of breathing and airway function in oral health. Her practice offers a range of services from routine checkups and dental cleanings to advanced screenings for airway and functional oral disorders. Beyond her residency, Dr. Gandhi has pursued extensive training in airway development, and the diagnosis and treatment of tethered oral tissues. She routinely screens her patients for airway disorders and oral restrictions that may impact growth, development, and healthy sleep. Dr. Gandhi advocates a collaborative approach to treatment and has established a network of practitioners in the greater Houston area. Her in-house team includes a speech-language pathologist, myofunctional therapist, pediatric chiropractor, and international board-certified lactation consultant, ensuring comprehensive and convenient care for her patients. Passionate about education, Dr. Gandhi shares her expertise with fellow practitioners. When not seeing patients, she collaborates with local professionals and lectures nationally to raise awareness and improve training in airway disorders and tongue ties. Understanding the importance of parental involvement in children’s healthcare decisions, Dr. Gandhi encourages parents to actively participate in their child’s oral healthcare appointments. In her leisure time, Dr. Gandhi enjoys traveling with her daughters, practicing yoga and pilates,
and exploring new culinary delights through cooking.
Advisory Board Member
Bill Hang received his BS and DDS degrees from the University of Illinois and his MSD degree in orthodontics from the University of Minnesota. For a brief time he taught orthodontics at U of M, but realized he wanted to go into private practice. He had a private orthodontic practice in Vermont for 21 years before moving to California where he has practiced for 25 years.
An international lecturer, Dr Hang has had multiple articles published in respected refereed journals and book chapters.
Dr. Hang has committed his career to advancing a paradigm of thinking in orthodontics that rejects traditional retractive techniques in patients of all ages. His treatment techniques are designed to: develop the jaws forward, never backward; work toward proper facial balance; create pleasing facial appearance; protect and/or expand the airway; and produce broad smiles that are complete to the corners of the mouth.
His goals are: to educate as many patients, parents and professionals as possible about the benefits of the non-retractive orthodontics; to continue to develop treatments based on non-retractive principles for patients of all ages; and to teach these methods to other dentists and orthodontists worldwide through seminars, workshops and mentorships.
Advisory Board Member
Debbie has been part of her husband’s orthodontic practice (William M Hang, DDS, MSD) since its inception. Not a dentist, but known as a “doctor of details”, she has come to know the art and science of orthodontics and practice management. Until recently retiring from the clinical practice, she oversaw the practice’s day-to-day operations, was the practice treatment coordinator, and continues to be the executive director of OrthO2Health™ which provides educational opportunities for dental professionals. She is also a contributor to the strategy of changing the orthodontic profession from a retraction based, straight teeth-oriented profession to a health-centered, airway aware profession that produces beautiful smiles and balanced faces.
Work outside the orthodontic office has included chairing the Allocations Committee of the Rutland County (VT) United Way which earned her the organization’s Achievement Award. She also served as President of the Community Leaders Association at California Lutheran University earning the William E Hamm Outstanding Service Award.
Debbie and her husband Bill Hang were both awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards by the AAPMD (American Association of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry) in 2016 for their work “in advancing the awareness of airway issues within the medical/dental communities and with the public.
Advisory Board Member
Dr. Christine is a licensed naturopathic physician and acupuncturist practicing integrated Western and Eastern approaches towards optimizing health in New York City. Dr. Christine received her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine (ND) and Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MSAOM) from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington.
Advisory Board Member
Steve MacCarthy is a senior executive with over 30 years of experience leading large-scale business and technology transformations across industries including healthcare, retail, telecommunications, and financial services. A specialist in portfolio and program management, Steve has directed multimillion-dollar integrations and delivery efforts, including the successful $17B Office Depot–OfficeMax merger. He has held leadership roles at KPMG, Freddie Mac, Anthem, and Office Depot, and brings deep expertise in agile transformation, PMO optimization, and enterprise strategy execution. Steve holds a Master’s in Technology Management from George Mason University and a B.S. in Computer Science from Duke University.
Advisory Board Member
After graduating in 1989 with an MBBCh from University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Medical School in Johannesburg South Africa, Dr Lange obtained specialty training in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, serving as Assistant Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes Hospital in St Louis prior to making his way to Denver to practice his multiple specialties, whilst maintaining an affiliate position with Colorado University. Over time, his successful practice evolved primarily towards sleep medicine establishing, managing, and advancing multiple sleep laboratories across the front range including a sleep laboratory in Summit County at an altitude of 9100 feet. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the College of Chest Physicians.
Before rejoining academia in 2020 as Assistant Professor of Medicine at Colorado University School of Medicine, Dr Lange enjoyed a self-funded sabbatical to pursue new advancements in sleep measurement using Cardiopulmonary Coupling (CPC), pioneering applications of this technology to sports, transportation, mining, and manufacturing industries while serving as a Director of, and consultant to, SleepFit South Africa.
His approach in one of inclusivity, valuing multidisciplinary approaches to sleep issues, both in individuals and populations, to include the direct measurement of sleep quality, in assessing complaints of sleepiness and fatigue as well as sleep apnea. He remains passionate about, and committed to, accessible, affordable, personalized, precision medicine achieved through disruptive innovation in the sleep field and am honored to join the Airway Revolution Foundation Advisory Board.
Advisory Board Member
Dr. Martha Miqueo is a specialist certified in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. She is a graduate of New York University College of Dentistry, where she also held a teaching position as assistant clinical professor for several years in graduate and post-graduate programs. She has served as attending physician at Bellevue Hospital, The New York Foundling Hospital,New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Hackensack Hospital. Dr. Miqueo has a vast experience in education and clinical training. At Vizstara Professional, she is the ADA/CERP and AGD/PACE accreditation officer. In this capacity, she sets the standards and protocols for continuing education and clinical training programs. In her ortho/pedo practice she guides growth and development maximizing growth spurts in the childand adolescent patient, creating a more stable and esthetic occlusion. In her adult ortho practice, Dr. Miqueo works with Dr. Elian developing interdisciplinary treatment plans for a sound periodontium and ideal implant placement position to set a new and unique therapeutic paradigm
Advisory Board Member
Lisa is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in private practice in Staten Island NY. Her lactation practice is concentrated on the issue of Tongue tie but she is also educated in functional medicine and works with those struggling with hormonal, thyroid, milk supply, or fertility concerns. Lisa worked for 28 years at Staten Island University Hospital before establishing her private practice in 2015.. At the Hospital, she co-founded and coordinated the Breastfeeding Initiative and worked in collaboration with the NYC Department of Health on efforts toward achieving the “Baby Friendly” designation. Currently, Lisa manages the Tongue Tie Experts brand on Facebook and Instagram, provides education to parents and professionals, through social media outreach and courses, and produces the Tongue Tie Experts Podcast. She loves to lecture and educate the world on the importance of breastfeeding for the health of infants and the developing airway.
Advisory Board Member
Sonia Pulgar is a globally recognized leader in health economics, outcomes research (HEOR), and market access, with over two decades of experience across the biopharmaceutical industry. She has led HEOR and value strategy for more than 10 U.S. and global product launches in oncology, virology, neurology, and rare diseases at companies including GSK, Novartis, Seagen, and Ipsen. Sonia excels at building high-impact, cross-functional teams and developing real-world evidence strategies that drive access, equity, and value across the product life cycle. She holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan and a BA in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry from Wesleyan University.
Advisory Board Member
Dr. Amy Racanello is a clinical neuropsychologist, who specializes in comprehensive psychiatric and neuropsychological evaluations. She completed her bachelor of science at Cornell University, and she earned her first master’s degree and an advanced certificate in school psychology from Brooklyn College, The City University of New York (CUNY). She earned her second master’s degree and a doctoral degree from the Educational Psychology Department at The Graduate Center, CUNY. Dr. Racanello completed her post-doctoral fellowship in neuropsychology at Columbia University Medical Center, and she was the DeHirsch-Robinson Fellow at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian (CHONY)/Columbia University Medical Center. Most recently, through a dual degree program at Cornell’s S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management and Weill Cornell Medical Center, she earned her Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership, as well as her master of business administration (MBA).
Advisory Board Member
Jerald H. Simmons, M.D. is Triple Board-Certified in Neurology, Epilepsy and Sleep Medicine. A graduate of Ohio State University, he did his Neurology residency at Washington University, Sleep Medicine Fellowship at Stanford University and Epilepsy Fellowship at University of California. He began his professional career as Assistant Professor of Neurology at UCLA while co-directing the UCLA Sleep Disorders Center and directing the Clinical Neuro-physiology lab at Olive View UCLA Medical Center. While there he trained Fellows, taught residents and medical students.
Advisory Board Member
Dr. Abhinav Sinha is a nationally recognized leader in pediatric dental medicine and a Clinical Professor at the University of Pennsylvania/Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), consistently ranked as the #1 Children’s Hospital in the nation and globally. At Penn/CHOP, he plays a pivotal role in training the next generation of pediatric dental specialists, with a teaching portfolio that includes advanced topics in laser surgery, minimally invasive techniques, practice management, as well as health equity and ethics. As a dedicated Professor and Alumni at Penn, Dr. Sinha was chosen to be part of the Dean’s Council, and created the “Dr. Abhinav N. Sinha Pediatric Dental Medicine Leadership and Excellence Endowed Fund” to help train the next generation of doctors in order improve the oral health of children worldwide.
Dr. Sinha previously served as Director of the Children’s Dental Health Center and Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Department of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital—one of the nation’s top academic medical centers. In this role, he helped shape interdisciplinary pediatric care while mentoring residents and fellows across surgical and dental disciplines.
With over two decades of experience, Dr. Sinha is widely regarded for his clinical expertise across the full scope of pediatric dental medicine. He has a special interest in the care of children with special healthcare needs and in performing complex oral rehabilitation under general anesthesia. He is also a leading authority on the use of laser technology for the functional release surgeries of Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs – ex. tongue/lip/buccal ties)—helping to improve breastfeeding outcomes in infants as well as improving speech, airway and long-term orofacial development in children.
Dr. Sinha earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Physiology/Neurobiology, and Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. He received his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and completed his residency in Pediatric Dental Medicine at Long Island Jewish Medical Center/Cohen Children’s Medical Center (Northwell Health) in New York.
He is a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and an active member of multiple professional and academic societies dedicated to clinical excellence and innovation in pediatric dentistry.
Beyond his clinical and academic commitments, Dr. Sinha is a sought-after speaker on the topics of pediatric laser dentistry, airway-focused treatment planning, and leadership in healthcare. He resides in New Jersey with his wife and three children. Outside of clinical and teaching responsibilities, he enjoys discovering new cuisines, listening to hip hop/country/Bollywood music, kettlebell training, and spending time with his family.
Advisory Board Member
Advisory Board Member
Financial Manager
Social Media Manager
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