Weill Cornell Medical Center Nutrition Staff
Stephanie Shea MS, RD, CDN, CNSC
Manager, Clinical Nutrition
Stephanie Shea received her Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from Rutgers University and then went on to complete her Dietetic Internship through the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 2006. She later completed a Master’s of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Health Informatics in 2019. Stephanie joined NewYork-Presbyterian in 2012 and now oversees Clinical Nutrition services for both NewYork-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medical Center, and the Alexandra Cohen Hospital.
Jenna Cervantes MS, RD, CDN, CNSC
Supervisor, Clinical Nutrition
Jenna has dedicated her career to promoting health and wellbeing since 2004. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science from California State University, San Bernardino, followed by completing a Dietetic Internship at the San Diego VA Healthcare System in 2004. Specializing in enteral and parenteral nutrition support for critically ill patients, Jenna pursued additional expertise, earning certification as a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC). She joined NewYork-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medical Center in 2008 as a Clinical Dietitian when relocating from California to New York. In her tenure at Weill Cornell, Jenna expanded into a leadership role as she engaged in enterprise-wide initiatives, spearheaded operational enhancements, and served as a mentor for the Clinical Nutrition team. Always seeking to broaden her horizons, Jenna pursued further education, graduating with a Master’s in Information Design and Strategy from Northwestern University in 2023. Jenna serves as the Supervisor of Clinical Nutrition, leveraging her experience and expertise to drive optimal health outcomes and cultivate a supportive environment for her team.
Kristina Alex, RD, CDN
Senior Dietitian
Kristina graduated from Simmons University (formerly Simmons College) in Boston, Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. She went on to complete her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in 2019 and was thrilled to join the Weill Cornell team shortly after. Currently, she works in gastrointestinal surgery and amenities. Kristina enjoys working closely with other members of the interdisciplinary team to help patients achieve their nutritional goals and improve their nutritional status.
Ryan Burslem MS, RD-AP, CDN, CNSC
Senior Dietitian
Ryan graduated from the University of Rochester with degrees in Economics and Mathematics before returning to Rutgers University to complete a DPD program in Dietetics. Ryan completed his dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and a nutrition fellowship in Adult Nutrition Support and Oncology at Columbia University Medical Center in 2013. Afterward, Ryan began working at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. Ryan obtained a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition from Rutgers University in 2024 and he is currently enrolled in a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program through Rutgers University. Ryan has covered the Medical ICU at Weill Cornell Medical Center since 2015. His clinical and research interests include critical care nutrition, indirect calorimetry, enteral/parenteral nutrition, and post-ICU nutrition.
Candace Carrera, RD, CDN, CNSC
Senior Dietitian
Candace received her Bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin. She is board certified as a Nutrition Support Clinician and loves working in the ICU setting. Her career started as a Clinical Dietitian in San Antonio for 3 years before moving to New York. She provides nutrition support services for the Cardiac ICU, Cardiothoracic ICU and Esophagectomy service lines. In her free time, she enjoys park time with her dog, taking care of her plants and exploring NYC.
Gabrielle Gambino, MS, RD, CDN, CNSC
Senior Dietitian
Gabrielle Gambino is a Pittsburgh, PA transplant. She has undergraduate degrees in Clinical Nutrition and Public Relations from Penn State University. She later went on to complete her Master’s in Clinical Nutrition at New York University, and obtained her specialty certification as a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC). Gabrielle specializes in nutrition care for patients with advanced heart failure and enjoys finding novel ways to optimize patients' nutritional status before advanced therapies. When she is not working, you can find Gabrielle rooting for Pittsburgh sports teams (Go Steelers!), singing in her local pop-punk band, or exploring the best foods this city has to offer.
Mary Mamone, RD, CDN, CNSC
Senior Dietitian
Mary Mamone is a Registered Dietitian whose passion for cooking and dance led her to choose a career in nutrition. She received her Bachelor of Science from Framingham State University where she also completed her coordinated program in dietetics. She started her career heart failure dietitian at Westchester Medical Center before joining NewYork-Presbyterian. Mary currently works with the Weill Cornell Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation specializing in the nutrition care for end-stage liver disease and transplant recovery.
Michael McDonnough, MS, RD, CDN
Senior Dietitian
Michael received his Master’s in Nutrition/Public Health from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. His passion for community wellness led him towards a career change after receiving an undergraduate degree in Marketing from Fordham University. He serves as a Senior Dietitian in the Weill Cornell Kidney & Pancreas Transplant Program. Mike is a co-founding member of the NYP/Weill Cornell RD Diversity Action Committee, an RD-driven committee focused on implementing initiatives and providing education opportunities to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion for our dietitians, dietetic interns, and communities served.
Isabel Bass, RD, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Isabel received her B.S. in Nutrition & Dietetics from New York University. She then completed her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian. Prior to joining NYP Weill Cornell as a clinical dietitian, Isabel worked as an inpatient clinical dietitian at NYU Langone Medical Center where she utilized medical nutrition therapy to promote the optimal health and wellbeing to a variety of patients. In addition to her inpatient work, Isabel also enjoys counseling patients at the NY Nutrition Group private practice. Isabel joined the clinical nutrition team and covers a diverse array of patients in a staff relief role.
Alyssa Burns, MS, RD, CDN, CNSC
Clinical Dietitian
Alyssa received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida and her Master’s degree in Nutrition Science at Hunter College. Following graduation, Alyssa completed her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in 2020 where she accepted a position as a clinical dietitian. She found her niche working with patients who have various neurological conditions including patients in the intensive care unit. Board-certified as a Nutrition Support Clinician, she specializes in optimizing the nutritional status of patients with dysphagia and providing enteral and parenteral nutrition support.
Lisa Cianciotta, MS, RD, CSO, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Lisa graduated from Syracuse University with her Bachelors in Public Health and went on to receive her Master’s degree in Nutrition Science from Hunter College. She completed her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and then joined the team at Weill Cornell. Lisa currently covers the Bone Marrow Transplant/Oncology service. Her favorite part of her job is helping patient’s navigate any nutritional challenges they face throughout their transplant treatment. While not working, she enjoys cooking, crossing restaurants off her bucket list and anything involving coffee!
Savannah Dymond RDN, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Savannah received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from The Pennsylvania State University. She then completed her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, followed by a Nutrition Fellowship in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Weill Cornell site. She joined the clinical nutrition team at Weill Cornell and covers a diverse array of patients.
Paige Faustini, MS, RD, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Paige received her Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics from the University of Delaware. She then went on to receive her Master’s degree in Nutrition at Hunter College, where she also completed her dietetic internship. Paige has experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, providing care for a wide range of patient populations. Paige was thrilled to join the clinical nutrition team at Weill Cornell, providing care for the cardiac and cardiothoracic stepdown units.
Alana Guida MPH, RD, CSG, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Alana Guida earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Connecticut. Following graduation, Alana completed her dietetic internship at Sodexo NY with an emphasis on medical nutrition therapy. Prior to NYP, Alana worked in a rehab and long-term care facility where she found a passion for working with the elderly population. She is a certified specialist in gerontology. Alana currently covers the geriatric and psychiatry units.
Ali Heller, MS, RD, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Ali received a Bachelor of Arts from New York University and a Master’s degree in Contemporary Art from the Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York, working in NYC art galleries for many years before returning to school to pursue her passion for nutrition. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Nutrition from Hunter College before completing her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. After a brief fellowship in Pediatric Nutrition at Weill Cornell, Ali joined the Clinical Nutrition team where she now cares for both adult and pediatric patients.
Joie Kiehm, MS, RD, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Joie received her bachelor's degree in marketing with a focus on the healthcare industry from Bentley University and then went on to work in pharmaceutical sales before pursuing her passion for clinical nutrition. She completed her master's degree in clinical nutrition at New York University while working as a dietetic technician in the Infant Feeding Preparation Area at Alexandra Cohen Hospital. Joie completed her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and then a fellowship at Weill Cornell in the Burn and Surgical/Trauma ICUs before joining the clinical nutrition team as a staff relief dietitian where she has the privilege of caring for a diverse range of patients.
Connie Kim, RD, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Connie received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Studies from New York University. Following graduation, she completed her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and served as the Infant Feeding Preparation Area Fellow at Cohen Hospital. Connie joined the clinical nutrition team at Weill Cornell, where she serves as a staff relief dietitian for adults and pediatrics.
Wincy Lau, MS, RD, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Wincy holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from Hong Kong Polytechnic University and went on to receive her Master’s degree in Nutrition Science from Hunter College. Following graduation, she completed her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and joined the Clinical Nutrition team as a nutrition support staff relief dietitian. Wincy also works in translational research on the cultural and linguistic adaption of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) for diabetes prevention in Chinese Americans.
Ashley Legieza, RD, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Ashley received her undergraduate degree from Penn State University and then went on to complete her dietetic internship at Long Island University in 2021. Before becoming a dietitian at NewYork-Presbyterian in 2022, she worked at St. Francis Hospital. Ashley currently covers medicine units and loves caring for an array of patient populations. When not working as a dietitian, she loves trying new restaurants all around the city.
Olivia Lincoln, MS, RD, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Olivia received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Louisiana State University and went on to complete her Master of Science in Human Nutrition at the University of New Haven. Following graduation in 2014, she completed her dietetic internship at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. She started her career in Connecticut providing nutrition care to clients of a local AIDS service organization before transitioning to nutrition care for people on dialysis. After seven years working as a dialysis dietitian, she is thrilled to join the Clinical Nutrition team at NewYork-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell as both a kidney transplant and staff relief dietitian. Outside of work you can find her in dance class and performing in community theater productions.
Melissa Manni, MS, RD, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Melissa graduated from Auburn University in Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. She went on to complete a combined Master's degree and dietetic internship program at Oklahoma State University. Prior to joining NewYork-Presbyterian-Weill Cornell, Melissa worked as a clinical dietitian in California. She join joined the clinical nutrition team as a staff relief dietitian covering a variety of patient populations, and currently specializes in liver transplant nutrition.
Linzi Qi, MA, RD, CSP, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Linzi received her Bachelor of Science from Ohio State University and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Nutrition Sciences from Syracuse University. Before joining NYP, Linzi worked with patients in rehab and long-term care and consulted with patients in a private practice. She currently works as a staff relief dietitian for adults and pediatrics. In her free time, Linzi enjoys cooking, sharing nutrition information on social media, and exploring the city with her family.
Melissa Ryan, RD, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Melissa graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and a Minor in Psychology. She completed her dietetic internship at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. Prior to joining the team at Weill Cornell, Melissa worked in a sub-acute rehabilitation/long-term care center in NJ. She joined the clinical nutrition team here at NewYork-Presbyterian-Weill Cornell, as a staff relief dietitian covering a variety of patient populations, and currently covers the Oncology service. While not working, she enjoys trying new restaurants and workout classes.
Rachel Schectman, RD, CDN, CNSC
Clinical Dietitian
Rachel is a practicing Registered Dietitian since 2016. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Syracuse University and completed her dietetic internship at the Loyola University of Chicago. She obtained her certification as a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) while working as a clinical dietitian in her hometown of Chicago. Rachel moved to New York City in 2018 and was previously the Level IV dietitian at Harlem Hospital Center, providing nutrition support services for the intensive care units. Currently, she continues to enjoy nutrition support and cares for a wide range of patient populations. In her free time, she loves arts and crafts.
Heidi Shaffer, RD, CDN, CNSC
Clinical Dietitian
Heidi earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Cedar Crest College in 2007 and completed her Dietetic Internship through Pennsylvania State University. She has been practicing as a Registered Dietitian since 2008 in the Lehigh Valley area of eastern Pennsylvania. Her primary experience was working with a wide variety of disease states in a hospital setting. In 2018, she obtained her Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) and came to NewYork-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell to pursue her passion for enteral and parenteral nutrition support. She currently covers the surgical/trauma intensive care unit.
Whitney Sturton, MS, RD, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Whitney earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and then went on to receive a Master’s degree in Nutrition Education from Teachers College at Columbia University. She completed her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, as well as a Nutrition Fellowship in Pediatrics at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. She joined the clinical nutrition team at Weill Cornell where she specializes in Pediatrics.
Sirida Subudom, MS, RD, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Sirida earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in English and Nutrition at New York University. After a period of working in higher education, she returned to NYU to pursue her passion for Nutrition. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition while completing her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Prior to returning to NYP, Sirida cared for medicine/surgery and maternity patients at Mount Sinai West. She currently covers the Endocrine service. When not working, you can find Sirida running after her toddler or browsing the web for the next dessert spot to try!
Emily Turitzin, MS, RD, CNSC
Clinical Dietitian
Emily received her B.A. in American Studies from Franklin & Marshall College. Discovering a passion for health and nutrition, She then went on to receive her Master's degree in Nutrition Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She completed her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in 2020 and has been covering the pediatric/adult Burn Intensive Care Unit and Surgical Step-down Unit since 2021. Emily is passionate about educating future dietitians and enjoys precepting dietetic interns in their Burn ICU rotation. Her professional interests include critical care, burn and wound healing, enteral and parenteral nutrition, micronutrient needs in the burn/wound patient, eating disorders, and social determinants of health.