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NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has announced the appointments of five specialists in the fields of pediatric surgery, neurology, and cardiac surgery. James J. Riviello, Jr., M.D., was named Chief of Child Neurology and Steven Stylianos, M.D., became Chief of Pediatric Surgery and Surgeon-in-Chief both at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Paul Chai, M.D., was recruited to direct the pediatric cardiac transplantation and mechanical assistance programs at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital as well as congenital heart surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Center for Children's Health. Two surgeons skilled in the use of minimally invasive techniques in children and adolescents were appointed at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Center for Children's Health: Shaun Steigman, M.D., and Demetri Merianos, M.D.

James J. Riviello, Jr., M.D.

James J. Riviello, Jr., M.D.

Dr. Riviello, who is also professor of neurology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, was most recently director of the pediatric neurology division and professor of neurology and pediatrics at NYU School of Medicine. A specialist in pediatric epilepsy and clinical neurophysiology as well as pediatric neurocritical care, he has specific expertise in pediatric epilepsy surgery, "status epilepticus" (an acute, prolonged epileptic crisis), and epileptic encephalopathies (disorders of the brain resulting from epilepsy). Over his career, he has been involved in the development of national and international guidelines for pediatric epilepsy surgery, the diagnostic assessment of children with status epilepticus, the evaluation and management of status epilepticus, and continuous monitoring using electroencephalography (EEG) for neonatal seizures.

After receiving his undergraduate and medical degrees from Tufts University, Dr. Riviello completed residency training in pediatrics at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, residency training in neurology and anesthesiology at Temple University Hospital, and fellowship training in child neurology at St. Christopher's Hospital.

Steven Stylianos, M.D.

Steven Stylianos, M.D.

Dr. Stylianos, who is also professor of surgery and pediatrics at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, returns to Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital from North Shore-LIJ Health System, where he was most recently chief of the pediatric surgery division and associate surgeon-in-chief at Cohen Children's Medical Center and professor of surgery and pediatrics at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. From 1992 to 2005, he was on the faculty and medical staff of NYP/Columbia, serving then as director of the Regional Pediatric Trauma Program and medical director of the operating room.

After receiving his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine, Dr. Stylianos completed residency training in surgery at NYP/Columbia, where he was chief resident, and in pediatric surgery at Children's Hospital Boston/Harvard Medical School, also as chief resident. In addition, he completed fellowship training in pediatric trauma at New England Medical Center and Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute in Boston.

Paul Chai, M.D.

Paul Chai, M.D.

An expert in complex neonatal surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, and cardiac transplantation, Dr. Chai has extensive experience in aortic surgery in both children and adults. He continues to care for young patients as they grow into adulthood as part of the hospital's adult congenital heart disease program. Dr. Chai comes to NewYork-Presbyterian most recently from the Johns Hopkins Children's Heart Surgery Program at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he served for nine years as associate medical director of the Heart Institute.

Dr. Chai completed his undergraduate degree, medical school, general surgical residency, and cardiothoracic surgical fellowship at Duke University and Duke University School of Medicine. He also completed a fellowship in pediatric cardiac surgery at the University of Michigan.

Shaun A. Steigman, M.D.

Shaun A. Steigman, M.D.

Dr. Steigman is assistant professor of surgery in the Division of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Trauma at Weill Cornell Medical College and an assistant attending surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Center for Children's Health. His specialties include neonatal surgery, gastrointestinal pediatric surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, thoracic surgery, pediatric surgical oncology, pediatric trauma, prenatal counseling of congenital surgical disorders, tracheoesophageal fistula and/or esophageal atresia, and complex anorectal malformations. He specializes in advanced minimally invasive techniques that enable young patients to recover more quickly than they might with conventional open surgery and to get back to their regular activities.

Dr. Steigman received his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine. His general surgery internship and residency training were completed at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School. He also completed a research fellowship in pediatric surgery at Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, and a clinical fellowship in pediatric surgery at Hasbro Children's Hospital, Brown University.

Demetri J. Merianos, M.D.

Demetri J. Merianos, M.D.

Dr. Merianos is an assistant professor of surgery in the Division of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Trauma at Weill Cornell Medical College and an assistant attending surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Center for Children's Health. He specializes in pediatric minimally invasive surgery, including advanced laparoscopic (abdominal) and thoracoscopic (chest) procedures. His expertise includes neonatal and congenital anomalies, pediatric general and thoracic surgery, pediatric gastrointestinal surgery, and pediatric surgical oncology.

Dr. Merianos earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He completed his internship and residency in general surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 2011. During his residency, he also completed a two-year research fellowship at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Merianos then went on to complete a two-year clinical fellowship in pediatric surgery at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.