Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center Clinical Care Team
Our clinical care team members, including doctors, physician assistants, a nutritionist, psychologists, and researchers, work together to provide integrated, comprehensive care for people who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Our Team in Manhattan
Our Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center physicians in Manhattan include experts in gastroenterology and surgery.
Gastroenterology
Jordan E. Axelrad, MD, MPH
Sophie M. Balzora, MD
Brian P. Bosworth, MD
Shannon Chang, MD
Marissa D’Avignon, PA
Adam Faye, MD
Ariela Holmer, MD
David P. Hudesman, MD
Simon J. Hong, MD
Avnit Kaur, NP
Surgery
Mitchell A. Bernstein, MD
Claire Bloodworth, PA
Arman Erkan, MD
Joanna Esterow, PA
Audrey Foster, NP
Michelle Galperin, NP
Tarik Kirat, MD
Andre da Luz Moreira, MD
Jessica N. Simon, MD
Our Team in Brooklyn
Gastroenterology
Our Team in Westchester County
Gastroenterology
Our Team on Long Island
Gastroenterology
Bradley M. Morganstern, MD
Seymour Katz, MD
Surgery
Patrick A. Hartendorp, MD
Toyooki Sonoda, MD
Matthew Symer, MD
Our Nutrition Specialists
Arielle Leben MS, RD, CDN
Ms. Leben is a registered dietitian who specializes in working with people who have IBD as well as various other gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroparesis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and diverticular disease. She works closely with patients to deliver personalized nutrition interventions that include food, meal planning, and dietary supplements. Ms. Leben enjoys forging long-term relationships with patients while helping them make sustainable changes to promote better overall health and quality of life. Ms. Leben graduated from NYU with a master's in clinical nutrition and completed her dietetic internship at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Arlene Stein, MS, RD, CDN, CNSC
Ms. Stein is a nutrition support dietitian who has worked for NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island (formerly called Winthrop-University Hospital) since 2000. A member of the Division of Gastroenterology at NYU Long Island School of Medicine, Ms. Stein provides care for a variety of gastrointestinal issues, including IBD, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, lactose intolerance, and short bowel syndrome. She also manages home total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and enteral nutrition.
Our Clinical Research Coordinators
Heather Dufficy, BA, CCRP, NREMT-P
As program manager of the clinical trials division at NYU Langone Nassau Gastroenterology Associates, Ms. Dufficy oversees gastroenterology research and clinical trials. In this role, she seeks out and evaluates new IBD treatments so that we may offer them to our patients before U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval through clinical trials. Ms. Dufficy believes that no other career choice would provide the sense of fulfillment she receives from helping people with IBD improve their quality of life.
Ghoncheh Ghiasian, MPH
As research program manager, Ms. Ghiasian ensures that the clinical research experience here is positive for our patients. She is excited to be working at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center and strongly believes in the importance of clinical research in increasing treatment options for people living with IBD.
Our Mental Health Experts
Jessica A. Gerson, PhD
Dr. Gerson is a clinical psychologist who provides care to people with IBD and to those who have had or will have colorectal surgery. She also sees people who have other gastrointestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Dr. Gerson offers short-term integrative individual psychotherapy and IBD-focused hypnotherapy and runs support groups. She also conducts research and trains psychologists. Dr. Gerson received her PhD in clinical psychology from LIU Brooklyn in 1999, as well as postdoctoral training in IBD-centered hypnotherapy, family systems therapy, and mindfulness meditation training. She is a member of the medical advisory board for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Dr. Gerson provides services in New York City and on Long Island.
Mary Rzeszut, MSW, LCSW
Ms. Rzeszut is a licensed clinical social worker at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island who is experienced in various evidence-based therapeutic treatments to address the psychological distress of living with IBD and irritable bowel syndrome. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness practices. She offers both in-person and virtual sessions.
Contact Us
To make an appointment at NYU Langone’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease center in Manhattan, call 855-NYU-IBDC (855-698-4232).