Clinical Team
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Read More about Kristen Kouvel, PT, DPT, PCS, CPMTKristen Kouvel, PT, DPT, PCS, CPMT
Senior Clinical Program Director
Kristen Kouvel, PT, DPT, PCS, CPMT
Senior Clinical Program Director
Senior Clinical Program Director, Armellino Center of Excellence for Williams Syndrome
Dr. Kristen Kouvel is the Senior Clinical Program Director of the Armellino Center of Excellence for Williams Syndrome. After graduating in 2009 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy she spent her first three years in practice gaining experience in a variety of pediatric and adult care settings which provided a robust experience learning the challenges patients face throughout their care journeys.
Dr. Kouvel joined the Physical Therapy team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 2012 where she became an expert in Williams Syndrome. She served as the lead therapist of the Connective Tissue Disorders and Williams Syndrome program from 2013-2023. She has been privileged to lecture at the Williams Syndrome Association Convention since 2018 and attend numerous community events which has afforded her the opportunity to connect with and hear the personal stories of individuals with Williams Syndrome and their families.
During her time at CHOP she has taken on numerous roles and responsibilities focused on transformative leadership, multidisciplinary program development, standardization of practice and quality improvement. These areas of interest in combination with her passion for Williams Syndrome have helped her identify opportunities for ACE-WS to transform the way we provide care for individuals with Williams Syndrome.
Pediatric Providers
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Read More about Sanmati Cuddapah, MDSanmati Cuddapah, MD
Clinical Geneticist
Sanmati Cuddapah, MD
Clinical Geneticist
Director, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Williams Syndrome Clinic
Sanmati Cuddapah, MD, is a pediatric clinical geneticist and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She serves as Director of the Williams Syndrome Clinic at CHOP that was originally founded by Dr Paige Kaplan. Dr Cuddapah is passionate about caring for individuals with Williams Syndrome. She is also expert in diagnosing and treating children with biochemical genetic conditions as well as with other genetic connective tissue disorders. Dr Cuddapah serves as the Associate Chief for Education and Training in the Division of Human Genetics at CHOP and directs the clinical genetics training program.
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Read More about Brielle Gehringer, MSGCBrielle Gehringer, MSGC
Genetic Counselor
Brielle Gehringer, MSGC
Genetic Counselor
Genetic Counselor
Brielle Gehringer, MS, CGC, is the inaugural Kim Family Fellow in William Syndrome. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with her Bachelors in 2018 and her Masters in Genetic Counseling in 2023. During that time, Brielle also worked as a clinical research coordinator of the ASPE Study at Penn, a genetic study of autism spectrum disorder.
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Read More about Stacey Drant, MDStacey Drant, MD
Cardiologist
Stacey Drant, MD
Cardiologist
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Dr. Drant is Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine and a pediatric cardiologist at CHOP. She is the Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Connective Tissue Disorder Clinic at CHOP and internationally known for her expertise in Marfan syndrome and related genetic vascular conditions. Dr. Drant is very experienced in treating the cardiovascular complications of Williams Syndrome. She is an expert in non-invasive imaging of the heart and cardiovascular system. Dr. Drant has specialized in caring for patients with connective tissue disorders over the entirety of her 20 year career. In addition, she is an expert in ‘lifestyle medicine’ and performs clinical trials of lifestyle-based interventions in patients with genetic vascular conditions. Although a pediatrician by training, Dr. Drant is very experienced in caring for adults with genetic vascular conditions.
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Read More about Vaneeta Bamba, MDVaneeta Bamba, MD
Endocrinologist
Vaneeta Bamba, MD
Endocrinologist
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Perelman School of Medicine
Vaneeta Bamba, MD is a pediatric endocrinologist and Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Bamba is also the Medical Director of the Diagnostic and Research Growth Center and Director of the Turner Syndrome Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She has expertise in early and delayed puberty, growth hormone deficiency, hypercholesterolemia/lipid disorders, disorders of growth and puberty, Turner syndrome, short stature, ovarian failure, and 22q deletion syndrome. Dr. Bamba is the leader of the multidisciplinary Wellness in Growth and Spirit (WinGS) Program, which is an interdisciplinary clinical program from girls with Turner syndrome. In 2022, Dr. Bamba was selected as a Main Line Today Top Doc for Pediatric Endocrinology. Dr. Bamba received her MD from Louisiana State University, completed residency at Baystate Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine and completed her fellowship at CHOP.
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Read More about Mary Pipan, MDMary Pipan, MD
Developmental Pediatrician
Mary Pipan, MD
Developmental Pediatrician
Behavioral Pediatrician and Director of the Trisomy 21 Program, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Mary Pipan, MD, is a developmental behavioral pediatrician and Director of the Trisomy 21 Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Dr. Pipanalso has over 20 years of experience in providing care for other complex neurogenetic syndromes including children and young adults with Williams syndrome. Dr. Pipan received her MD from University of Virginia School of Medicine, completed an internship and residency at the University of Minnesota, and completed a fellowship in developmental and behavioral pediatrics at CHOP.
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Read More about Sherri Shubin Cohen, MD, MPHSherri Shubin Cohen, MD, MPH
Gastroenterologist at the Feeding & Swallowing Program
Sherri Shubin Cohen, MD, MPH
Gastroenterologist at the Feeding & Swallowing Program
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine
Medical Director, Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Center, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Sherri S. Cohen, MD, MPH, is a board-certified pediatrician in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She is also board certified in public health and general preventive medicine. Dr. Cohen is the Director of the Nutrition Fellowship Program at CHOP and the Medical Director of the Martha Escoll Lubeck Feeding and Swallowing Center, where she oversees a team of 30 clinicians and staff that treat feeding and swallowing disorders, malnutrition, and nutritional disorders. Dr. Cohen has expertise in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, as well as public health and preventive medicine.
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Read More about Annie Borema, CScD, MS, OTR/LAnnie Borema, CScD, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Annie Borema, CScD, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Dr. Annie Borema, MCScD, MS, OTR/L has been working as an occupational therapist since 2015. She graduated with her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health Services and her M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University. Annie has experience working with clients ages infants through older adults in inpatient, outpatient, and home-based settings. Following a passion of hers, Annie received her doctorate in Program Development and Implementation from the University of Pittsburgh in 2023 with the focus of her work directed towards enhancing the delivery of client-centered care among occupational therapy practitioners. She continues to enjoy practicing clinically while also working towards bettering the client-family experience with the healthcare system as a wholesurgical nurse practitioner with the Division of Pediatric General, Thoracic & Fetal Surgery at CHOP. Sylvia specializes in
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Read More about Alexander Fairman, MDAlexander Fairman, MD
Vascular Surgeon
Alexander Fairman, MD
Vascular Surgeon
Assistant Professor of Surgery and Director of Pediatric Vascular Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Alex Fairman, MD is Assistant Professor of Surgery and the Director of Pediatric Vascular Surgery at both the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and CHOP. Dr. Fairman graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and did not stray far after, and completed medical school and his integrated vascular surgery training at Penn. His clinical practice focuses on both adult and pediatric vascular pathologies using both open surgical and endovascular techniques. At CHOP, one of his main focuses is treating and managing children with aortic coarctations/middle aortic syndrome and visceral arterial disease.
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Read More about Sylvia Witek, RN, MSN, CRNPSylvia Witek, RN, MSN, CRNP
Surgical Nurse Practitioner
Sylvia Witek, RN, MSN, CRNP
Surgical Nurse Practitioner
Division of Pediatric, General, Thoracic & Fetal Surgery at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Sylvia Witek, MSN, CRNP is a pediatric surgical nurse practitioner with the Division of Pediatric General, Thoracic & Fetal Surgery at CHOP. Sylvia specializes in vascular surgery and works closely with Dr. Fairman who manages the vascular population at CHOP. Sylvia is the lead nurse practitioner for the vascular patients at CHOP and enjoys working with families and managing care throughout the surgical process.
Adult Providers
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Read More about Emily Ruckdeschel, MDEmily Ruckdeschel, MD
Cardiologist
Emily Ruckdeschel, MD
Cardiologist
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School for Medicine
Dr. Ruckdeschel is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Penn’s Perelman School for Medicine and a pediatric and adult cardiologist at CHOP and Hospital of University of Pennsylvania. She cares for patients with congenital heart disease across the lifespan. She is director of the Cardiac Transition Program at CHOP and has a special interest in transition from pediatric to adult-oriented care. Her clinic practice focuses on caring for adults with congenital heart disease in particular those with genetic conditions such as Williams Syndrome.
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Read More about Emma Furguson, MSN, CRPNEmma Furguson, MSN, CRPN
Nurse Practitioner- Vascular Surgery
Emma Furguson, MSN, CRPN
Nurse Practitioner- Vascular Surgery
Department of Vascular Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Emma Ferguson, MSN, CRNP is a Nurse Practitioner in Vascular Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She has over 10 years of experience working with patients who have complex cardiac and vascular conditions. She graduated with her BSN from Georgetown University in 2013 and completed her MSN at the University of Pennsylvania in 2019.
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Read More about Brielle Gehringer, MSGCBrielle Gehringer, MSGC
Genetic Counselor
Brielle Gehringer, MSGC
Genetic Counselor
Genetic Counselor
Brielle Gehringer, MS, CGC, is the inaugural Kim Family Fellow in William Syndrome. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with her Bachelors in 2018 and her Masters in Genetic Counseling in 2023. During that time, Brielle also worked as a clinical research coordinator of the ASPE Study at Penn, a genetic study of autism spectrum disorder.
