Donald T. Allegra, MD, FACP, FIDSA, is a founding member of ID Care and has helped to build one of the largest infectious disease practices in the country. Dr. Allegra uses his position to help advance the infectious diseases field. Dr. Allegra enjoys his time with his patients, thinking through challenging cases, and coming up with solutions to help them through their health crises.

Dr. Allegra has been able to travel the world for his education and to help others. He took an infectious disease sabbatical at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, studied in Australia and New Zealand, and toured hospitals and public health facilities in Southeast Asia. A couple of times a year, Dr. Allegra volunteers in developing countries in The Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. He views this opportunity as a small way to give back and finds it to be challenging and tremendously rewarding. Dr. Allegra’s career has also taken him to a national level, working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an Epidemic Intelligence Officer, where he would investigate outbreaks of infectious disease in the U.S. and abroad. Throughout his career, Dr. Allegra has seen frightening infectious diseases, such as HIV and Hepatitis C, become epidemics and through medicine, be brought under control or in some cases, cured.

Fazila Aslam, MD, is a board certified Infectious Diseases Physician with special interest in sepsis, wound care, and antibiotic stewardship.

Dr. Aslam enjoys the always evolving nature of the infectious disease field. Treating a diverse set of issues from life-threatening illness to chronic illness requiring long term care provides new challenges that encourage her to grow professionally.

“In general, most of the infectious diseases are curable. It is very rewarding to see a sick patient, who with appropriate diagnosis and management, heals and gets better.”

Dr. Aslam enjoys spending time with her four children, reading, traveling, and cooking for friends and family.

Inna Belenson, APN-C, graduated from Monmouth University with a master’s degree in 2015 and takes pride in taking care of others and making a difference in her patient’s lives. Learning something new each day in infectious disease care and working alongside an amazing group of doctors and nurse practitioners are what Inna enjoys most about her career.

Throughout her life, Inna has lived in three countries and speaks fluent Russian. In the future, Inna hopes to travel to a third world country and help out as a medical volunteer. Inna enjoys working out and is an avid dancer.

Rohit Bhalla, DO, is the current Chief of Infectious Diseases at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. He has been named “Top Doctor in NJ” by New Jersey Monthly magazine every year since 2011 and is the youngest board member of ID Care. He is also currently involved in antibiotic stewardship programs at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, as well as other subacute rehab centers.

At ID Care, Dr. Bhalla takes pride in solving difficult cases with the ability to communicate with patients to give them a clear understanding of their illness and treatment for maximum recovery and success. Dr. Bhalla has been able to expand his work from the hospitals to nursing homes and wound care centers. When Dr. Bhalla isn’t treating infectious diseases, he’s playing basketball or the guitar.

Barry Dashefsky, MD, volunteer clinical professor in pediatrics, has been voted a “Best Doctor in America” for ten consecutive years, from 2005 to 2015. Dr. Dashefsky’s practice is exclusively devoted to infectious diseases in children, adolescents, and young adults. When making an appointment with Dr. Dashefsky, he thoroughly assesses the symptoms and takes the time to counsel the patients and their families. By taking the time to review the case in-depth, he ensures he fully understands the patient and their medical history, so he can make an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis.

Having spent his formative years in the Boston area, Dr. Dashefsky is a fanatic of all Boston professional sports teams.

Sally Deeney, MSN, NP-C, CWOCN, FNP, is certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner with The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and as a Family Nurse Practitioner with The American Nurses Credentialing Committee. Sally has been a Nurse Practitioner since 2011. She obtained her undergraduate degree from The College of New Jersey and completed her graduate work at William Paterson University.

Sally discovered her love of wound care as a hospital staff nurse and continued that specialty as a nursing coordinator for a local wound center. She went on to become a certified wound ostomy and continence nurse before completing her Advanced Practice degree. Since that time Sally has worked at ID Care to combine the wound care and infectious disease specialties to develop and run wound care programs throughout Morris County, NJ.  

Sally appreciates the variety and challenge that comes with managing and developing successful wound care programs. She leads staff education and gives community lectures on wound and skin care. When not at work, she enjoys managing her busy family, complete with small children and a dog.

Wound care certified, advanced practice nurse, Meghan DeGraw is an important part of the interdisciplinary team making a difference and taking care of patients who need infectious disease care, and she uses her specialty to treat wounds at the highest level of expertise. Ms. DeGraw has always enjoyed helping people in need, and healthcare is just one aspect of that. In her free time, she knits and crochets for those in need such as premature babies or the homeless. She also enjoys being outdoors with her family and dogs.

Growing up during the HIV epidemic, Najah I. Doka, MD, an infectious disease specialist dedicated to HIV care, saw the damage infectious diseases could cause firsthand. Simple infections from bacteria, fungi, or viruses would claim many lives in a short period of time. Dr. Doka was inspired to become a physician so she could help people live longer and healthier lives — providing a simple vaccine or drug could mean a lifetime of freedom from illness. As infections can be totally healed with a proper diagnosis, being able to see patients live healthy and successful lives, is what Dr. Doka is most passionate about in the medical field.

Nancy Dreher, RN, MSN, NP-C, WCC, DWC, has been with ID Care since 2010 and has been a nurse since 1975. Since her schooling, Nancy spent years as a staff ICU nurse and as a hospital nursing supervisor. Seeking diversity in her career, she also managed an anticoagulation clinic at a cardiology practice and obtained a Hyperbaric Medicine Certificate, allowing her to oversee patients receiving treatments at the HBO center at Saint Clare’s in Dover.

Nancy works as a team with her peers – allowing for coordinated care and enhanced communication to improve patient outcomes. Nancy has a sense of pride seeing patients become active in life again because they are feeling better, particularly in the wound center. Her favorite aspect of working in medicine is the outpatient population – as her strong background in cardiology and time spent working with outpatients in that field gives her a better understanding of patients as a whole and daily challenges they face.

Nancy was motivated to become a Nurse Practitioner for the quest of knowledge and so she could enhance her ability to give excellent patient care. Throughout her career, Nancy is most proud of her time as a critical care nurse, working and guiding staff in multiple supervisor positions, and getting her Masters degree while raising a family and working. When she isn’t caring for patients, Nancy enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband of 36 years, and being a grandparent.

Sukrut Dwivedi, DO specializes in all areas of infectious disease, with specific expertise in advanced treatments and therapies for HIV patients. He is also the Section Chief in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Monmouth Medical Center, driven by a dedication to continued learning, researching, and teaching the highest standards of care in medicine. As a clinical professor at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Assistant Professor at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University, Dr. Dwivedi fosters an environment of continual growth in medicine — both inside and outside of ID Care.

“Knowing that I can make a difference in someone’s life is what keeps me motivated. That’s why I always stay current with the changes in research, protocols, and standards of care — so that I can continue helping my patients get better,” says Dr. Dwivedi.

Dr. Dwivedi is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the HIV Medical Association (HIVMA). He has also been published in The Journal of Clinical Microbiology. As a consistent recipient of the Top Doctors recognition by New Jersey Monthly Magazine and a two-time winner of the Nurses’ Choice Award Physician of the Year at Ocean Medical Center, it is clear that Dr. Dwivedi takes a personalized approach to care to every patient he serves.

Besides strengthening his patients’ health and well-being, Dr. Dwivedi also loves spending time with his family watching the Red Sox and the Celtics.

Angela M. Giordano, RN, APN, CWOCN, is an experienced medical and surgical floor RN and wound care nurse. To continue her education, Angela obtained a specialty certification in Wound, Ostomy and Continence care and received her Masters Degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University. There, she was able to practice for several years in Nursing Administration as well as acute, chronic, and regional pain medicine. Angela has been with ID Care since 2014 where she utilizes her wound care knowledge to benefit her patients.

“My passion is educating my patients and watching them improve. Seeing someone progress and get well is what drives me in my practice.”

Angela enjoys traveling with her family and friends and spending time at the beach.

Rachna Gupta, MD, MPH, FIDSA, is involved with the Infectious Diseases Society of America and serves as Vice Chair of their Mentorship Committee, working to attract bright trainees into the field of Infectious Diseases. As a passionate member of the medical community, Dr. Gupta has written and published a scientific paper for the highly cited Journal Lancet.

Dr. Gupta is enamored with infectious diseases because of the capability to treat the patient as a whole, and not just one system as most other specialties do. This allows her to treat and help them understand how to prevent the disease – which is a very rewarding experience.  Meeting many different people and treating different diseases every day, infectious disease is ever-changing. This environment fosters hard work and a love of life-long learning, which was Dr. Gupta’s motivation to become a physician.

In addition to being fluent in infectious diseases, Dr. Gupta also speaks Hindi and German.

Ira A. Gurland, MD, has been practicing medicine with ID Care’s East Brunswick location for over 17 years and takes pride in being trusted to care for peers, their families, and patients. Dr. Gurland is an expert in treating infections in hospitalized patients as well and maintains his certification in internal medicine, which informs and enhances his practice in infectious diseases. Implementing the latest treatments for patients living with infection helps Dr. Gurland solve complicated diagnostic dilemmas, help patients find relief, and even connect with patients on a personal level. Dr. Gurland was inspired to study medicine himself by knowledgeable and caring physicians he met throughout his life. Dr. Gurland presents regularly at Robert Wood Johnson’s regional infectious disease conference and volunteers at his local 4H club when he isn’t spending time with his family.

Mohamed Hasham, MD, works to positively impact his community by using the opportunity of being an infectious disease specialist to relieve someone’s suffering and help them feel better. The challenging nature of infectious disease and its continuous growth requires doctors to “stay on their feet,” and Dr. Hasham does this by staying up-to-date with the latest studies.

Dr. Hasham knew he wanted to be a physician because of his love for science. Helping and interacting with people, working with other medical professionals as a team, and being able to positively impact the community is what motivates Dr. Hasham as a physician.

Dr. Hasham has achieved significant accomplishments during his career, including contributing to a research article on HIV and aging, presenting research at Yale University during his fellowship, and going to Uganda during his fellowship to work in a hospital in an underserved area. When he’s not practicing medicine, Dr. Hasham enjoys traveling, reading, and playing with his children.

David J. Herman, MD, FACP, is currently the Hospital Epidemiologist and Physician Leader of the Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. Dr. Herman also serves as the Chairman of the Infection Control Committee at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital – Somerset. Dr. Herman’s areas of interest include Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections, HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. In addition to being named “Castle Connolly Guide to Top Doctors” in New York Metro area annually since 1999 — 29 years in a row — Dr. Herman has also been recognized as Physician Leader of the Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Program at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and a Hospital Epidemiologist.

Ellen Hirsh, MD, FACP, is a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and practices infectious disease care at multiple locations across New Jersey. Dr. Hirsh has been named a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and currently teaches as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Rutgers – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Being a caregiver for her patients is a rewarding aspect of Dr. Hirsh’s career.

“We often see patients at a stressful time in their lives. To be able to help them through their stress and their physical ailments is extremely gratifying.”

Throughout Dr. Hirsh’s career, she has authored and co-authored multiple scientific articles and given lectures on topics ranging from STDs to vaccine updates and travel immunizations. Outside of the office or hospital, you can find Dr. Hirsh on the sidelines of the soccer field cheering on her sons or discussing current events with her daughter. Dr. Hirsh enjoys reading and hanging out with her Bichon Frise.

Heather Hogh, MSN, NP-C, WCC, is a board-certified Advanced Practice Nurse through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANPCP). She is certified in wound care by the National Alliance of Wound Care (WCC) and holds a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Certificate by Wound Education Partners.

Before joining ID Care, Heather was a registered nurse in the medical and post-operative unit at Morristown Medical Center of Atlantic Health System for eight years, where she received The DAISY Award® for her outstanding clinical skill, compassion, and personalized approach to her patients’ care. Heather was also nominated for the Ben Lobel Award for Excellence in Clinical Nursing.

When she isn’t delivering extraordinary wound care services and treatments to her patients, Heather enjoys traveling, skiing, and boating at the New Jersey Shore.

Marsha Kallich, MD, is an infectious disease specialist and has been a member of the Pharmacy Committees of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital since 1990. She has been certified in Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine to help treat and heal infectious disease patients. Throughout her career, Dr. Kallich has served as attending and consulting staff across three hospitals. She teaches interns, residents, and Infectious Diseases fellows in the hospitals, precepting the Infectious Diseases course at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey at the Rutgers campus. Her membership on the Infection Control Committee since 1998 has helped drop the rates of MRSA and VRE, and, on average, below the national standards.

Some of Dr. Kallich’s greatest accomplishments include establishing an expanding outpatient intravenous antibiotic subdivision of HPMA for Medicare patients. At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, she implemented an antibiotic stewardship. Dr. Kallich has also been published in prominent infectious disease medical journals.

Elizabeth A. Kelly, RN, MSN, APN-BC, joined the ID Care team in 2016 after working in primary care. During her time at West Chester University, she was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society. Elizabeth previously worked on the medical surgical/orthopedic floor and then was in the operating room for six years before completing her MSN at Monmouth University in 2014. Her vast experience in different facets of medicine helps her care for patients now in infectious disease care. Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling and cooking.

Joseph Kim, MD, is a part of the Morris County Tuberculosis Control Center and has been with ID Care since 2004. Dr. Kim treats a variety of infectious diseases that challenge him in their own unique, individual ways. In the course of a single day, Dr. Kim will see a variety of symptoms and illness – this diversity allows him to think beyond the textbook and use his specially curated skills to diagnose and treat a patient.

During his education, it wasn’t until later in his undergraduate career that Dr. Kim started to appreciate how rapidly biomedical science evolves and how quickly it can affect patients — this realization cemented his desire to become a physician. Outside of treating and healing patients, Dr. Kim enjoys the patient interaction he is able to have during rounds and in the office. While he is initially looked to for specific guidance, he encourages patients and families to ask him whatever questions they may have about their care. Dr. Kim has experienced medical issues within his own family, so he understands the anxiety patients may have and the care they need. He believes that forming relationships and bonds with the patient and family makes him a better caregiver.

Dr. Kim is a husband and father of two daughters. He enjoys spending time with family and golfing in his free time. During college, Dr. Kim played soccer for four years and currently holds the single season scoring record for the school.

Richard Krieger, MD, has been in the medical field for over four decades and finds satisfaction in being able to relieve another person’s suffering, improve their health and well-being, and potentially extend their lives. Dr. Krieger was interested in learning about disease states, and diagnosing and treating them before pursuing medical school.

Since starting his career, Dr. Krieger has done work for the Passaic County Rabies Task Force and was appointed to the Governor’s Lyme Disease Advisory Council. In addition to receiving countless awards for his achievements in medicine, Dr. Krieger is an accomplished novelist and has published three novels!

Andrew Lee, MD, FACP, a member of the Infectious Disease Society of America, is currently Chief of Infection Control at Monmouth Medical Center. Being voted physician of the year by nurses at Ocean Medical Center and voted “Top Doctor” by New Jersey Monthly magazine for four consecutive years, Dr. Lee enjoys being able to help someone when they need it most. Growing up with his father’s complicated medical history motivated him to pursue medicine and fueled a passion for infectious disease. Dr. Lee enjoys traveling and considers himself a foodie.

Beth Leiter, RN, MSN, NP-C, joined the ID Care team in 2018 and has earned her certification in wound care (WCC) from the National Alliance of Wound Care. Beth has worked in intensive care and open heart surgery for ten years and now uses this expertise towards her infectious disease patients. At Fairleigh Dickinson University, Beth earned her Nurse Practitioner Licensure from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Beth enjoys skiing, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Rosario Manalo, MD, holds two leadership roles at Newton Medical Center: Section Chief of Infectious Disease and Director of the Hyperbaric and Wound Healing Center. Dr. Manalo has been published on topics ranging from vaccination in juvenile correctional facilities to STDs and blood cultures – and even had an article presented to the Congress on Healthcare Leadership in 2017.

Dr. Manalo enjoys working with patients and the daily challenges of infectious disease. After spending time in the Philippines, Dr. Manalo was inspired to become a doctor. Since then she has spent time in a large referral center for infectious disease and was a part of a directly observed treatment (DOT) project for tuberculosis. In her free time, Dr. Manalo enjoys drawing, painting, riding horses, and traveling with family.

Theodore Markou, MD, is an infectious disease correspondent for RT America. In his career, Dr. Markou started the CDAT (C. diff. Attack Team) at Johns Hopkins Hospital and had their findings published in a medical journal. At the age of 14, Dr. Markou was diagnosed with lupus and was amazed by the medical profession — not only intellectually but also from a caring aspect. Now, Dr. Markou is enamored with the dynamic field of infectious disease and finds excitement in tackling the unknown and helping heal patients.

Dr. Markou volunteers at a local jiu-jitsu school for infection prevention to help curb outbreaks such as MRSA. As a former professional dancer, Dr. Markou stays active with CrossFit, weight lifting, and jiu-jitsu. He also enjoys brewing his own alcohol.

Liza Marmo, RN-BC, BSN, MSN, ANP-C, AGPCNP-C, is an infectious disease nurse practitioner who practices in skilled nursing facilities. Liza is very passionate about her patient population, helping each of them return to a healthier state. She most enjoys the infectious diseases that most commonly affect the elderly, UTIs, soft tissue and respiratory infections, as well as supporting the importance of immunizations. Liza prides herself on the trusting relationships that she develops with her patients. She believes her interest in geriatrics comes from her loving relationship with her own grandmother.

Before her infectious disease work, she worked in other skilled nursing facilities providing primary care. Liza also worked in critical care and trauma for more than 10 years before advancing into nursing leadership. She missed the direct contact with patients but this time she wanted to return to patient care as a nurse practitioner. In her free time, Liza loves to spend time with family and friends and traveling to warm places.

Ajay Mathur, MD, FACP, volunteers on a national level with the Infectious Diseases Society of America and maintains a leadership role within ID Care — all while teaching medical students and resident physicians. Dr. Mathur’s favorite aspect of his career is having the opportunity to intervene and positively impact a patient in regards to their illness. He enjoys working as a part of a healthcare team to provide the best possible outcomes for patients.

As a graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Dr. Mathur has always had an interest in science and was motivated to pursue his career from interactions with physician family members he viewed as role models. In his spare time, Dr. Mathur enjoys traveling with his wife and kids and watching sports.

Edward McManus, MD, FACP, is an infectious disease specialist and a founder of ID Care. As a managing partner from the group’s inception, his vision has been vital in guiding the growth and breadth of services we provide. He was among the first physicians in our community to recognize clinicians needed to move out of the hospital and provide care in post-acute settings such as nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. He also identified the critical role that infectious disease clinicians have in wound care and need to be leaders in that field in our community. He spearheaded our Nurse Practitioner program to expand the care we can provide to our patients. Dr. McManus has also served on numerous committees and boards at our local Hospitals. From 2010 to 2015, he served as the chairman of the Board of Trustees at Saint Clare’s Hospital and has continued working with several hospital leadership groups to improve community access to healthcare.

Dr. McManus enjoys the problem-solving aspect of infectious disease and medicine — the opportunity to help colleagues and patients in a consultation is unique. The diverse nature of infectious disease brings new challenges every day. No other medical specialty crosses so many medical fields and repeatedly tests one’s knowledge and experience. Working together with a team and applying knowledge and experience to help consultants and patients is extremely satisfying.

“What I have learned from my mentors and my patients are captured in the following questions:

1. Have we carefully listened to the patient?
2. Have we asked the right questions?
3. Have we counseled the patient in terms that are readily understood?
4. Have we guided the patient’s expectations?
5. Have we anticipated the questions that have not been asked?”

Dr. McManus was first inspired to become a physician by his mother, who was a registered nurse after WWII and worked in Hell’s Kitchen in New York City in the 1950s. Her admiration for the dedicated doctors she worked with motivated him to become a doctor himself. His interest in the field of infectious diseases started 40 years ago while first attending medical school. During his first year, Dr. McManus worked on an experimental model of joint infections. He cared for some of the earliest patients with HIV and participated in their treatment with the first AIDS drug, AZT. Dr. McManus was an investigator for the combination of drugs that went on to become the first single-pill treatment for HIV, Atripla — and his interests expanded from there. During schooling and his career, Dr. McManus had his share of great mentors that inspired and guided him to reach where he is today. Now, Dr. McManus takes pride in mentoring physicians and nurse practitioners in the field of infectious disease.

Dr. McManus enjoys traveling with his family and playing golf in his free time.

Neha Mistry, APN, FNP-C, provides 360-degree care for patients — from nursing care to diagnosis and treatment. Neha enjoys the different challenges she encounters and overcomes on a daily basis from working in a dynamic subspecialty such as infectious disease care. Listening to patients’ stories, diagnosing, and treating their infectious disease is how Neha makes a difference in their lives. Neha spends her free time sewing.

Maureen Molin, MSN, RN, AGNP-C, is certified in wound care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and maggot debridement therapy. Maureen also provides in-home wound care treatments, including in-home debridement, for the homebound elderly. For her capstone project, Maureen focused on the management of depression in the community-dwelling older adult. She has also participated in medical missions to Haiti through Explorers Sans Frontiers providing primary care to impoverished communities in the Port-Au-Prince area.

“As a Nurse Practitioner, I am passionate about helping my patients achieve their healthcare goals, understand their unique health issues, and achieve optimal wellness through the use of evidence-based treatment modalities and education.”

In her free time, Maureen enjoys sailing, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Ronald G. Nahass, MD, is a pioneer in state-of-the-art treatments for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, as well as other complex infectious diseases. As such, Dr. Nahass has been named to the National Guideline Panel for new therapies in Hepatitis C. As one of the founders and president of ID Care, Dr. Nahass has helped to grow the practice from what was once a six-physician organization to a clinical network of over 40 nationally-recognized infectious disease specialists across nine practices and 130 locations throughout New Jersey. Every day, Dr. Nahass helps patients and families navigate complex diagnoses and receive the personal care they need to ensure the best and safest outcomes. “It is particularly rewarding to see the relief on a patient or family member’s face when they understand the problem they’re facing and have a solid path forward to treat it,” Dr. Nahass says.

Dr. Nahass has been awarded several outstanding honors throughout his career, including the American Medical Association’s Physician Recognition Award for Continuing Medical Education with a special commendation for self-directed learning. He’s consistently recognized as a Top Doctor by New Jersey Monthly magazine, Best Doctor by New York magazine, and nominated one of the Best Doctors in America by Best Doctors®. As a former chairperson of the Quality Committee, Dr. Nahass also helped coordinate efforts in measuring and improving clinical care of infectious disease specialists nationally through the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).

Outside of his award-winning efforts at ID Care, Dr. Nahass mentors students and younger physicians in both clinical research and clinical care. He also spends time volunteering with the Infectious Diseases Society of America to help champion the highest quality of care on a national basis. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP), the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).

When he’s not changing both the healthcare landscape and his patients’ lives for the better, Dr. Nahass enjoys running marathons, vegetable gardening, and cooking for his friends and family.

Apurva Patel, MD, is an infectious disease specialist and teaches, trains, and lectures medical residents and students on infectious disease topics. Dr. Patel implements infection treatment, infection prevention, and management of antibiotic resistance to help his patients and watch them heal. Dr. Patel enjoys being a problem solver to cure a variety of infections and was motivated to become a physician by his grandfather, who was a primary care physician in India. Preventable infectious diseases affect so many people, and Dr. Patel wanted to pursue a career where he could understand infections and help people get better.

“As infectious disease physicians, we treat some of the sickest patients in the hospital and helping them get better is what I love the most about my job.”

In his free time, Dr. Patel loves spending time with his wife and two children, as well as traveling, reading, and watching sports.

Molisha Patel, MS, PA-C, has been a part of the ID Care team since 2015 and has acquired invaluable knowledge from treating complex patient cases. Connecting with people, providing care to those in need, and watching their condition improve is the most rewarding aspect of Molisha’s career. She enjoys infectious diseases in particular because she can treat the whole patient — considering both epidemiology and lifestyle factors in addition to the patient’s symptoms to reach a diagnosis.

Molisha has been on medical mission trips to Haiti to serve native people, as it is important to her to give back when she can. Outside of work, Molisha is a certified yoga instructor. She enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, traveling, cooking, and being around family and friends.

Lisa A. Pittarelli, MD, FACP, is Chief of Infectious Diseases at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset. She is also medical director of the Somerset County Chest Clinic, which provides care to patients with Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI), or TB disease, and is a founding member of the NJ State Tuberculosis Medical Advisory Board. She has been named one of the Best Doctors in America and is nominated by the Consumers Research Council of America in their Guide to America’s Top Physicians. She was also nominated by New Jersey Life/Health Magazine as “Doctor Who Makes a Difference” in 2011 and received the “Spirit of Somerset” Award in 2012.

Prior to attending medical school, Dr. Pittarelli worked in research at Merck on the development of a novel anti-fungal compound that is in wide use commercially today. Combining her love for science and research with her passion for helping others led her to pursue a career in medicine and an infectious disease fellowship that emphasized infections that affect immunocompromised patients, particularly those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or who have had a transplant.

The diversity of infectious disease allows Dr. Pittarelli to act as a detective to solve complicated issues where, in many cases, the patient has been seen by several physicians prior to diagnosis. Most importantly, she wants to make a positive difference in people’s lives and be an advocate for them while navigating the medical system. She enjoys teaching and participating in training medical students, residents, as well as pharmacy students. When not involved in patient care, she enjoys painting, photography, volunteering at a local animal shelter, and attending her kids’ sporting events.

Marissa Rago, APN, FNP-C, is an Advanced Practice Nurse who focuses her expertise on helping patients manage acute and chronic illnesses, prevent disease, and achieve their own unique health goals. She is dedicated to staying up to date with the latest, evidence-based advances in medicine to ensure she always provides the most effective care and treatments available.

“As an Advanced Practice Nurse, I enjoy advocating for the most appropriate individualized plan of care, and providing each patient and family with knowledge and education about their specific diagnosis.”

Before joining ID Care, Marissa was a registered acute care nurse at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, where she received the Nursing Excellence Award for her efforts in providing compassionate, individualized care. After practicing for many years, Marissa advanced her education to become an Advanced Practice Nurse. Today, the foundation of her practice combines expertise in medicine and disease with compassion and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Outside of empowering her patients to become active members of their own care teams, Marissa enjoys traveling and taking care of her dog.

Natalia Raoof, MD, FACP, infectious disease specialist, currently oversees the infection prevention department for CareOne LTACH and has recently passed her infectious disease recertification. As a puzzle lover, Dr. Raoof enjoys the challenge of making the correct diagnosis for a patient and watching them recover. Being involved every step of the way and caring for the patient as a whole and not just a particular organ is a rewarding aspect of her career. Solving non-medical puzzles, reading historical non-fiction, and baking are just some of Dr. Raoof’s hobbies.

Infectious disease specialist, Nazar C. Raoof, MD, teaches residents, grand rounds, and gives lectures along with treating infectious disease patients. Dr. Raoof finds a perfect balance in the art and science of medicine with the diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease. While not every infection can be cured, infectious diseases are often resolved, which is a rewarding experience for Dr. Raoof — along with the constant evolution of infectious disease and its treatments.

Being named attending physician of the year, being part of a group that has contributed much to the field of infectious disease, and being asked to pursue a leadership role in the Hackensack Meridian Health system have all been career highlights for Dr. Raoof. But, being able to comfort, care, and heal the ill and give terminal patients dignity is the motivation and inspiration behind his career.

Henry Redel, MD, specializes in all areas of infectious disease, with specific expertise in bone and joint infections, Clostridium difficile, and HIV. Dr. Redel takes pride in caring for his patients, providing personalized, high-quality care backed by the latest research. As a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Rutgers – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, he helps to educate the next generation of physicians and explores important research interests with colleagues.

Dr. Redel was always amazed by science and knew that he wanted to have a positive impact on people each day — this led him to medicine. He had the opportunity to train in Kenya and Uganda and saw, firsthand, the impact that infectious diseases have globally. The impact microorganisms can have on health is fascinating to Dr. Redel, and he enjoys the challenge of identifying infection-causing organisms and helping patients live healthy and complete lives.

Dr. Redel is actively involved in research in a number of fields, including the impact of antibiotics on babies and Clostridium difficile infection. He is also an online editor for Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases and will be writing the chapter on Nutrition, Immunity, and Infection in the upcoming edition of the textbook. Dr. Redel is published in medical journals and has also given multiple lectures on infectious diseases. Outside of medicine, Dr. Redel enjoys spending free time with his wife and three kids, traveling, and listening to interesting podcasts.

Sarbjit S. Sandhu, MD, is an infectious disease specialist, based out of Central New Jersey. Meeting new people — in the hospital and the office — is one of Dr. Sandhu’s favorite aspects of practicing medicine. He enjoys working with a team to implement the best treatment options to have a positive impact.

Helping others was Dr. Sandhu’s motivation to start his career, and being a physician combines his interests of life sciences and improving patient’s quality of life. Dr. Sandhu takes pride in the path he has taken to become a physician in a challenging and ever-changing field and being able to join all of the great team members at ID Care.

Dr. Sandhu enjoys volunteering in a health screening clinic at his local Sikh Temple and spending free time with family and friends. Some of his hobbies include movies, basketball, golf, traveling, and the beach.

Cindy L. Schiller is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and dual board-certified Acute Care and Adult Nurse Practitioner. She holds wound care (WCC) and diabetic wound care (DWC) certifications through the National Alliance of Wound Care as well as hyperbaric oxygen therapy certification. She joined ID Care in 2008, was the practice’s first Advanced Practice Nurse, and has helped the practice grow to over 20 advanced practice providers to date.

She enjoys the daily challenges that she encounters in her role and crafting a plan that takes into account each individual’s unique needs to improve their health. She is proud to work among a healthcare team that is committed to providing patient-centered, evidence-based, compassionate care to its patients. She is also heavily involved in mentoring the practice’s new advanced practice nurses and educating nurses and patients alike. Prior to joining ID Care, Ms. Schiller worked as a critical care nurse for several years. Her personal interests include traveling, crafting, theatre, and spending time with family and friends.

Meena Seenivasan, MD, is an infectious disease specialist and Chief of Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital — Somerset. As the first physician in her family, Dr. Seenivasan enjoys coming to work each day knowing that she has the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life in a significant way. She loves listening to people’s stories and believes it helps her treat them in a comprehensive manner. Dr. Seenivasan finds joy in the different challenges each patient presents and has a special interest in tropical disease, tuberculosis, granulomatous mastitis, and immune disorders. When she isn’t working, Dr. Seenivasan likes to cook and travel.

Robert E. Segal, MD, Regional Vice President, South Campus, is a medical director at both the Wound Care Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital – Somerset and Genesis Willow Creek Rehabilitation and Care Center – Somerset. Dr. Segal’s areas of interest are HIV, Hepatitis C, wound care, antibiotic stewardship, and the hospital avoidance program.

With the challenges of the medical field constantly changing and evolving, Dr. Segal approaches every patient as an individual with a unique set of problems and solutions. As a result, Dr. Segal is never bored and always motivated and excited about his career – and passionate about making a difference in his patients’ lives. In his free time, Dr. Segal enjoys being active by skiing, golfing, biking, hiking, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Nurse practitioner Kathleen H. Seneca, APN-BC, MSN, CNL, prides herself on providing individualized specialized patient care by listening to their preferences and their goals — and then working together to help them reach their goals.

“Combining my leadership skills, grant writing experience, and program development expertise affords me the opportunity to improve healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations.”

Kathleen’s professional interests and expertise are focused on travel medicine and management of infectious disease of both inpatients and outpatients. Kathleen is honored to be a part of New Jersey’s efforts in eliminating the Hepatitis C epidemic by participating in peer-reviewed publications. When she is not working with patients, Kathleen enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her sons.

Nancy K. Seyler, MSN, MSD, ANP-C, CCRN, has a passion for educating, supporting, and communicating with patients and their families. Working closely with ID Care specialists, she is able to leverage her clinical knowledge to answer patients’ questions thoroughly while simultaneously improving their lives. This interaction with her patients and their families as well as her colleagues has been a driving force to advance her career as a nurse practitioner.

As a staff nurse, Nancy was encouraged to obtain her MSN so she could continue working in patient care, which she loves. Nancy is most proud of having a successful career as a nurse in critical care, emergency rooms, cardiology practices, and now infectious disease. Nancy has become a role model to her three daughters, who have each followed her career path to becoming nurses. Horseback riding is one of Nancy’s hobbies and she used to show six horses across the country.

Jerry Sheen, MD, CWS, UHM, is passionate about studying the human body, and applies that knowledge to help his patients get better. As a team player, Dr. Sheen collaborates with peers and uses his wound care expertise to get his patients back to their healthy lives. Dr. Sheen specializes in treatment of various types of wounds, including diabetic, pressure, vascular, and uncommon ulcers. Dr. Sheen enjoys playing the piano, skiing, cooking, and spending time with family and three children.

Kaitlyn Smith, RN, MSN, APN-C, is wound care certified (WCC) through the National Alliance of Wound Care and has been with ID Care since 2014. In addition, she has obtained a Hyperbaric Medicine Certificate allowing her to supervise patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy, caring for the practice’s inpatients, as well as IV infusion outpatients. Kaitlyn takes pride in collaborating with other members of the healthcare team in order to provide the best care to her patients.

Kaitlyn began her nursing career as a staff RN on a medical oncology inpatient unit prior to obtaining her master’s degree and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner License. During this time, Kaitlyn was awarded the Jane Benjamin Scholarship Award for her excellent care, particularly in oncology and hospice patients. She made the decision to become a Nurse Practitioner to grow her medical knowledge and skill while providing care based upon her nursing foundation. Kaitlyn enjoys spending time with family and friends and watching football in her free time.

“As a Nurse Practitioner, I strive to create an individualized plan of care for my patients, with an emphasis on education for both my patients and their families.”

Richard Snepar, MD, FACP, has been practicing infectious diseases and internal medicine in the Central New Jersey area for over 35 years. Specializing in all aspects of infectious disease, his interests lie in bacterial infections such as bacteremia, sepsis, urinary tract infections, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, and prosthetic and device infections. As a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Dr. Snepar lectures on a variety of infectious disease topics, including skin and soft tissue infections, MRSA, diabetic foot infections, community and hospital-acquired pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections, influenza, and travel medicine.

Dr. Snepar has been treating HIV patients since 1981. He has completed research in endocarditis, antibiotics, and alteration of the gastrointestinal biome — areas that continue to be hot topics in the field of infectious disease.

“The task of the infectious disease physician is the early recognition of infection and prompt institution of effective and safe antimicrobial therapy when required.”

Dr. Snepar is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, and a member of both the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the International Society of Travel Medicine. He holds a Certificate of Knowledge from the International Society of Travel Medicine. He has been recognized as Top Doctor by Castle Connolly for the New York metro area, New Jersey Monthly magazine, Inside Jersey magazine, and Best Doctors on numerous occasions.

Dr. Snepar was a physician and infectious disease consultant for the New Jersey State Boxing Commission for many years, officiating frequently at HBO’s “Boxing After Dark.” Dr. Snepar is also an active and founding member of the rock and roll band AlterEgo. He has been playing at bars and venues in the area for over 20 years, including many benefits, such as the Annual American Cancer Society Gala.

Edith Sonnenberg, MD, an infectious disease specialist, enjoys the challenge of diagnosing a patient and determining the best way to treat them. Motivated by her knowledge, technical skills, and advanced resources available at ID Care, Dr. Sonnenberg provides life-changing and life-saving solutions to every patient she serves. She enjoys the diversity of infectious disease — her patients are always unique.

Dr. Sonnenberg values health above everything else — which is what drove her to become a physician. Every day, she has an incredibly rewarding opportunity to restore her patients’ lives to normalcy, sometimes even save them. When she’s not practicing medicine, Dr. Sonnenberg enjoys being involved in her kids’ education and watching them grow.

Damanpreet Ubhi, MD, is Chairwoman of Medicine at Hackettstown Medical Center – Atlantic Health System and Medical Director at Hackettstown Wound Center – Atlantic Health System. Dr. Ubhi takes pride in helping her patients and enjoys the challenge of treating them as a whole rather than a particular organ system. She is involved in a hospital-acquired pressure ulcer prevention committee, quality improvement committee, and even contributes to a radio show regarding wound care, common infections, and Zika virus at local radio stations. These things combined reflect Dr. Ubhi’s unmatched dedication to educating both the local community and the medical community, as well as her commitment to improving lives. Dr. Ubhi was inspired by her mother to become a physician and enjoys spending time with family, biking, and reading in her free time.

Samantha Venet, MSN, RN, NP-C, WCC, DWC, is a Wound Care Specialist and Diabetic Wound Care Specialist. Samantha is passionate about helping people and doing her best to get them back on their feet. As a nurse, Samantha is actively involved with her patients’ entire journey to recovery. Each patient presents a new challenge and Samantha is continually learning — making her job particularly enjoyable. Working as a bedside nurse gave her the experience and confidence to pursue a new path as a nurse practitioner — where she continues to advocate for her patients, but also works alongside doctors to diagnose and treat them as well.

Samantha is proud of precepting students almost every semester since her graduation, and they all went on to work as successful Nurse Practitioners in all different medical specialties. She is also proud of the feedback she receives from the patients and staff she works with on a daily basis — but the most rewarding experience is signing off on a healed patient. In her free time, Samantha enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and coaching her boys in baseball and basketball.

Danya Wenzler, MD, is an infectious disease specialist who enjoys meeting new patients and learning their stories. As an ID Care partner, Dr. Wenzler finds joy in helping patients heal — always using her knowledge to treat her patients like family. Outside of her work with ID Care, Dr. Wenzler also provides care to Zufall Health Center HIV patients.

Dr. Wenzler was inspired to become a physician primarily so she could help others, but also because it is a career that involves her interest in science. Her most significant accomplishment to date was helping a patient transform her life from an AIDS diagnosis to healthy living with HIV and then going on to have a healthy baby with a new husband at her side.

Dr. Wenzler takes pride in working full time and being an involved mother of three children. She is also a mother to three dogs and one cat and enjoys spending time with her family and listening to country music.

Steve J. Williams, MD, Vice President, North Region, specializes in all aspects of infectious diseases. Dr. Williams serves as Co-Director of the Morristown Tuberculosis Center and has been instrumental in tuberculosis (TB) management, having served on the New Jersey TB Advisory Board, which was tasked with creating new guidelines for TB care. Dr. Williams is passionate about wound care and has spearheaded numerous wound management programs at post-acute care facilities. He also has an interest in antibiotic stewardship and infection control.

Growing up on a farm in Missouri, pursuing a career in medicine didn’t seem possible for Dr. Williams. But after battling a serious illness that paralyzed the right side of his body, Dr. Williams went on to excel in medical school. This experience shaped his passion for helping patients and continuing his training in infectious disease care.

“Having been a patient makes one acutely aware of the fear and uncertainties an illness can bring. I try to use my awareness to help ease anxiety and create a better understanding.”

Dr. Williams is a devoted family man and enjoys hiking, biking, and being active outdoors.

Kara K. Yi, PA-C, finds great satisfaction in taking care of patients and improving their quality of life by providing the appropriate medical treatment. Kara believes in a multidisciplinary approach in patient care and enjoys working with other consultants, nurses, techs, and social workers to provide the best care possible.

For the past two years, Kara has been sponsoring a child in Bangladesh and corresponds with her through handwritten letters. She spends her free time painting, practicing yoga, watching movies, and spending time with family.

Cindy Zhang, MSN, APRN, NP-C, is an Advanced Practice Nurse on the Middlesex County Medical Society Foundation Board of Trustees. Being a nurse for many years, Cindy has learned to see patients as a whole and not just their disease. She treats her patients like family and takes the time to educate herself on the latest clinical trends to provide her patients with the best care possible.

Growing up around chronic disease, Cindy was inspired to work in healthcare and make a difference in people’s lives. Her experiences led her to become a registered nurse and eventually spent 18 years at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital working in cardiac intervention, heart failure and transplant, and the medical-surgical float pool. Cindy was also a part of various hospital committees, including the policy and procedure and unit-based practice council, as well as a head nurse for eight years and chairperson of head nurse committee from 2008 to 2012.

Cindy volunteers at Rutgers Garden for the farmers market, spring flower sales, and gardening. She is also fluent in Chinese and enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.