Amy R DeFelice, MD

Dr. Michael G. Vitale specializes in the non-operative and operative treatment of complex pediatric scoliosis and other spinal disorders, and performs approximately 200 scoliosis procedures every year, half of which are in children less than 8 years of age. Dr. Vitale has a special interest in innovative treatments for younger children with scoliosis, including the use of a magnetic spine lengthening device (“MAGEC”) which eliminates the need to perform repeat spinal surgeries every 6-9 months on growing children, non-fusion procedures such as vertebral stapling and vertebral tethers, “growing rods,” and the “Shilla” procedure. As part of his commitment to innovation in Scoliosis treatment, Dr. Vitale helps to lead the Children’s Spine Study Group, which conducts extensive multicenter international research focused on improving the care of young people with scoliosis. Dr. Vitale also leads the Conservative Treatment of Scoliosis Center, with Co-Director Hagit Berdishevsky. One of the only programs of its kind, the Center focuses on avoiding surgery with attention to scoliosis specific Schroth physical therapy and state-of-the art expert brace options including the Rigo System Cheneau brace. For the youngest children with scoliosis, Dr. Vitale runs an active Mehta casting program and has successfully used this method to reverse spinal curvature in numerous patients. For those who need surgery, Dr. Vitale, also the Chief Quality Officer for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, has a focus on making sure every procedure is done in the safest possible way. In fact, Dr. Vitale has written extensively on best practices in the care of patients with scoliosis. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Vitale serves as director of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Research Group and leads the clinical research team in their efforts, which are often funded by multi-year grants, published in leading medical journals, and presented at national and international conferences. Under Dr. Vitale’s leadership, the group has published over 150 peer reviewed publications in the field. In recognition of his clinical and academic leadership, Dr. Vitale has received numerous national awards from the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America including the Arthur H. Huene Memeorial Award, the Angela M Kuo Award Young Investigator Award, the Robert Hensinger Scientific Paper Award, as well as the Hansjorg Wyss Research Award, the Frank Stinchfield Research Award, the Rosamond Kane Award in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, and the Harrison Mclaughin Award. Dr. Vitale also serves numerous roles in the national governance of the field – currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, chairing the International Pediatric Orthopaedic Society, leading the efforts of the Scoliosis Research Society on Advocacy for Unmet Needs of Children for Pediatric Medical Devices, serving on the Executive Committee of the Children’s Spine Study Group, and is a Member of the prestigious International Pediatric Orthopaedic Think Tank. Dr. Vitale is the recipient of the Castle Connolly Top Doctors award for 5 consecutive years and has been named Top 50 Physicians in the US in the area of Scoliosis Care by Becker’s Spine Review. An avid skier, marathon runner and recreational triathlete, Dr. Vitale’s biggest pleasure is spending his free time with his wife and four Sons.

Dena Goffman, MD is the Vice Chair for Quality and Patient Safety and Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Sloane Hospital for Women at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the Associate Chief Quality Officer for Obstetrics for the NewYork-Presbyterian health system. She has a strong interest in improving patient safety and quality in obstetrics and decreasing severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Much of her work has focused on the use of simulation, team training and implementation of evidence-based guidelines to achieve this goal. Dr. Goffman has been an active member of the New York State-Department of Health and The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District II Safe Motherhood Initiative and is currently a member of the NYS SMI Leadership Committee. Additionally, she is active nationally and internationally in Obstetric Simulation and is the immediate past chair for the ACOG Simulation Working Group. She serves as faculty for many prominent OB simulation opportunities including the annual ACOG Obstetric Emergency Simulation Course, SMFM Critical Care Obstetric Simulation course at the Annual Pregnancy Meeting and the Banner/SMFM Annual Critical Care Obstetric Simulation Course in Phoenix. Dr. Goffman has a particular interest in Obstetric Hemorrhage, one of the leading causes of preventable maternal morbidity and mortality. She served as a Co-chair of the Obstetric Hemorrhage group for the New York State Safe Motherhood Initiative, served on the OB hemorrhage Clinical Advisory Work Group for the NYS Department of Health and was a core member of the National Partnership for Maternal Safety Obstetric Hemorrhage work group. She was recently part of a small multidisciplinary team working to update the AIM Obstetric Hemorrhage bundle, worked with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement on an Obstetric Hemorrhage Change Package and co-authored the Postpartum Hemorrhage ACOG Practice Bulletin.

Pediatric rheumatologic diseases can be complex, and figuring out the problem can be like solving a mystery. My interest in pediatric rheumatology began during my pediatric residency, when I was able to care for patients with arthritis, lupus, and other rheumatologic problems. Finding the right diagnosis, then helping patients find treatments that made them feel better was very gratifying! I now treat children of all ages, from infancy to young adulthood, with all types of rheumatologic problems, including arthritis, lupus, myositis, and vasculitis. I also have a specific interest in evaluating and treating patients with fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome—conditions that are sometimes referred to as amplified musculoskeletal pain syndromes (AMPS). I am the director of the Pediatric AMPS Program here at Columbia. For all of my patients, I work to provide an accurate diagnosis and support as they navigate the treatment process with their families. My goal is to provide compassionate, patient-centered, and family-centered care. My research interests are focused on juvenile fibromyalgia. I also participate in clinical research projects related to pediatric lupus nephritis, Sjogren's syndrome, and juvenile arthritis. I am very involved in teaching rheumatology to the next generation of pediatric doctors, and I am honored to work with medical students and pediatricians-in-training to help educate them on the evaluation and treatment of patients with rheumatologic disorders.