Our Integrative Health & Health Promotion Staff
NYU Langone’s integrative health services and Lerner Health Promotions Program are coordinated by the following healthcare professionals.
Integrative Health and Lerner Health Promotions Program Leadership
Debra Albert, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President for Patient Care Services, Lerner Director of Health Promotion
As the Lerner Director of Health Promotion, Dr. Albert provides vision and leadership for the integration of health and wellness practices, with a focus on a holistic approach to patient care. This endowed position was established by Helaine and Sid Lerner in the Departments of Nursing and Patient Care Services. She is also chief nursing officer and senior vice president for patient care services at NYU Langone. Dr. Albert earned her bachelor of science in nursing and master of science in nursing at the University of Akron. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from Cleveland State University and participated in the Wharton Fellows Program in Management for Nurse Executives. She received her doctorate of nursing practice from Rush University and is a board-certified nurse executive.
Fariza Alendy, MSW, MPH, Program Director for Health Promotion
Ms. Alendy directs the administrative, fiscal, and operational undertakings of health promotion and integrative health services across the NYU Langone Health enterprise. She is a dynamic public health professional with diverse experiences spanning various health and human service industry sectors. Her expertise in innovative programming, project management, and astute leadership has enabled her to build robust systems, streamline operations, and cultivate impactful stakeholder relationships. With a dedicated focus on optimizing resources, fostering collaboration, and driving measurable outcomes, Ms. Alendy remains steadfast in her commitment to supporting the wellness and resilience of patients, care partners/families, and staff alike.
Integrative Health Program Staff at Tisch Hospital and Kimmel Pavilion
Erica Alinkofsky, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, Senior Nurse Clinician, Certified Integrative Yoga Therapy Teacher
Ms. Alinkofsky is a certified holistic nurse with more than a decade of experience providing care to children and for adults both before and after surgery. She enjoys finding creative ways to incorporate relaxation breathing, meditation, and yoga with patients and staff. She is a certified yoga teacher at the 200-hour level with trainings in accessible yoga and chair yoga. She has completed Reiki level II certification and has additional training in aromatherapy, full body 'M' Technique®, and Therapeutic Touch®. An advocate for Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster™, she finds great joy in helping offer this mind–body program to patients and families at the bedside and beyond.
devynn emory, RN, BSN, HNB-BC, LMT, Senior Nurse Clinician
emory is a board-certified holistic nurse with 7 years of clinical experience at NYU including medical–surgical, gender affirming surgery and COVID nursing. They hold a bachelor’s of fine arts in choreography, earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing from NYU, and hold licenses in medical massage and in eastern medicine. They are currently studying to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at D'Youville College. They hold certifications in Yoga, Reflexology, aromatherapy and are a Reiki master. They are certified in Prepare for Surgery Heal Faster and Empowered Relief. Their practice focuses on culturally sensitive, patient centered care.
Tina Kachnowski RN, MSN, CCRN, AHN-BC, HWNC-BC
Tina is a Nurse Clinician with the Department of Integrative Health at NYU Langone. She has been a nurse for 21 years and worked in Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Critical Care before discovering her passion for Holistic Nursing. Tina has a BS in Nursing from Fairfield University and an MS in Holistic Nursing from Tennessee State University. She is a Board Certified Advanced Holistic Nurse, Critical Care Nurse, and Health & Wellness Nurse Coach. Tina is certified in Aromatherapy, ‘M’ Technique®, HeartMath®, and is a Reiki Master. She also holds certificates in Clinical Meditation & Imagery, Transpersonal Nurse Coaching, and Wellness Counseling. Tina routinely presents in the Nurse Residency Program, provides Prepare for Surgery Heal Faster workshops for patients, and provides unit wellness to support staff well-being. Tina is proud to help provide whole person Integrative care at NYU Langone Health.
Lerner Health Promotion
Darah Salmaggi, MS, RMT, Program Manager, Integrative Health, Lerner Health Promotions Program
Ms. Salmaggi holds a master’s degree in human services leadership and is a certified Usui and Karuna Reiki master and teacher and a Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster™–trained provider. As a certified energy medicine practitioner, she integrates her passion for energy modalities into her employee self-care and patient practices. Her formal training as a certified psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner blends with her education in holistic leadership to provide tailored services of self-care for vitality.
Marci Resnicoff, BSN, BA, RN, HNB-BC, CNTP, Clinical Nurse Coordinator, Integrative Health, Lerner Health Promotions Program
Ms. Resnicoff holds bachelor degrees in nursing and psychology and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in advanced holistic nursing. She is a board-certified holistic nurse and a Reiki master teacher and practitioner, and holds a certificate in nutrition therapy. She serves on the board of directors of the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation and is a past member of the board of directors of the American Holistic Nurses Association. She has more than 20 years of experience sharing mind–body therapies with others and has been a nurse at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn for more than 10 years.