Ask the VBF Experts

Dr. Gregory Levitin, Hemangioma and Malformations Surgeon
Dr. Levitin will answer your questions regarding the surgical treatment of all vascular birthmarks and tumors.



Dr. Stuart Nelson, VBF Co-Medical Director and International Port Wine Stain Laser Specialist
Dr. Nelson will answer your questions concerning the diagnosis and treatment of Port Wine Stains.



Dr. Martin Mihm, VBF Co-Medical Director and Research Director
Dr. Mihm is coordinating and directing research regarding vascular birthmarks and tumors.



Dr. Aaron Fay, Hemangioma and Malformations Eye Surgeon
Dr. Aaron Fay will answer questions concerning eye problems and birthmarks.



Dr. Roy Geronemus, NYC and International Laser Specialist
If you have a question or concern about laser treatments in general, contact Dr. Geronemus.



Dr. Barry Zide, NYC Hemangioma and Malformations Surgeon
If you have a question or concern about hemangioma and vascular malformation treatment in general, contact Dr. Zide.



Dr. Darren Orbach, Pediatric Neurointerventionalist for AVMs and PHACE
VBF is proud to welcome Dr. Orbach!



Corinne Barinaga, VBF Family Services Director
Corinne Barinaga, our Administrative Director, will answer emails concerning family advocacy, treatment questions, or physician referral.



Dr. Robert Rosen, Vascular Lesions of Arms and Legs Interventional Radiologist
Our expert for all non-brain AVMs and vascular lesions of the arms and legs, Dr. Rosen welcomes your questions.



Brian Bolinger, Esq. Director VBF Advocacy Alliance
This alliance is being formed to coordinate legislative, legal, and insurance related issues regarding the diagnosis and treatment of vascular birthmarks and tumors.



Dr. Anne Comi, Sturge Weber Syndrome Specialist
One of the leading experts on Sturge Weber Syndrome, Dr. Comi will be responding to your questions concerning this syndrome.



Dr. Alex Berenstein, Malformations and AVM Interventional Radiologist




Dr. Kami Delfanian, KTS Treatment Specialist
Send your questions concerning KT Syndrome to Dr. Delfanian



Dr. Gary Giangola, KTS Treatment Specialist
If you have questions concerning the surgical treatment of KTS or other vascular lesions of the arms, legs, or trunk, contact Dr Giangola.



Basia Joyce, VBF Insurance Appeals Specialist
Please send your questions regarding your appeal or request for out-of-network treatment to Basia.



Dr. Joseph Edmonds, Lymphatic Malformations Surgeon
Ask Dr. Edmonds your questions related to Lymphatic Malformations.



Dr. Thomas Serena, Wound Care Specialist
Please send Dr. Serena your questions regarding wound care for an ulcerated hemangioma or other vascular birthmark, tumor, or syndrome that requires wound care.



Dr. Orhan Konez, Interventional Radiologist
Questions regarding reading and interpreting films and treating malformations with sclerotherapy or embollization can be sent to Dr. Orhan Konez.



Dr. Jason Mouzakes, Airway Surgeon
Email Dr. Mouzakes with questions regarding airway hemangiomas and other vascular lesions in the airway (throat area).



Dr. Steven Fishman, Internal Lesions Surgeon

Ask Dr. Fishman your questions about liver and other internal vascular lesions.



Dr. Susie Astner, European Laser Specialist
VBF's Ask the Laser Doctor offers expert advice on laser treatments for all vascular birthmarks by Dr. Susie Astner.



Dr. Denise Metry, PHACE Syndrome Specialist
If you have any questions regarding this syndrome, please ask Dr. Metry.



Dr. Stavros Tombris, European Surgeon
Fr. Tombris treats all forms of hemangomas, port wine stains and malformations.



Dr. Stevan Thompson, Military (Tricare) Surgeon
Dr. Stevan Thompson has joined us to answer questions concerning the treatment of vascular birthmarks in the military.



Dr. Helen Figge, Pharmacist
If you or your child has a vascular birthmark and you have a question regarding a prescription drug, please ask Doc Helen Figge.



Dr. Linda Rozell-Shannon, VBF President and Founder
Dr. Linda Rozell-Shannon is the leading lay expert in the world on the subject of vascular birthmarks.



Lex Van der Heijden, CMTC Foundation

If you or your child has CMTC, please contact Lex with your questions.



Leslie Graff, East Coast Developmental Specialist
Leslie is a trained developmental specialist. Send questions concerning port wine stains and this topic to Leslie.



Elissa-Uretsky Rifkin, Midwest Developmental Specialist
Elissa Uretsky- Rifkin, M.Ed. CMHC
is a trained developmental specialist and is on the board of VBF. Send questions concerning hemangiomas and this topic to Elissa.



Kymberly Stephens, Licensed Associate Counselor
Ask our expert Kymberly Stephens about issues stemming from prominent birthmarks, disfigurements, or image related issues associated with genetics, trauma, burn or accident situations.



Nancy Roberts - Make-up Specialist
Ask our expert Nancy Roberts, Co-Creator of Smart Cover Cosmetics (www.smartcover.com), your questions about make-up.



Linda Seidel - Make-up Expert
Ask Linda Seidel your questions about make-up.



Zeina Tannous, M.D., Laser Dermatology Expert
Ask our expert Dr. Tannous, your questions about laser dermatology.



Anna Duarte, M.D., Florida Expert
Ask our expert Dr. Duarte, your questions about receiving treatment in Florida.



Alicita, Spanish Expert
Ask our expert Alicita, your questions in Spanish.



What Our Families Are Saying About Us

"We relied on the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation to provide us with the information, the contacts, the resources, and the support that we needed to get through this difficult time. Their theme, "We are making a difference" couldn't be more accurate. For us, it was all the difference in the world."
Jill Brown


Hi Linda
Just a note to say how wonderful I found the interview of you and Capital 9 news. Thanks so much for your devotion.
Gina




2nd Annual Walk/Run For Birthmarks A Huge Success

 

Walk Begins
Barbara Rothaupt and Basia Joyce - Event Co-Chairs - begin the registration process
Buddy Booby (VBF's Mascot) and character from Buddy Booby Birthmark Book makes his debut at this event (AJ Palmateer did a great Buddy)
The beginning of the 2010 walk/run


Barbara Rothaupt and Basia Joyce - Event Co-Chairs - begin the registration process


Buddy Booby (VBF's Mascot) and character from Buddy Booby Birthmark Book makes his debut at this event (AJ Palmateer did a great Buddy)


nearly 100 runners lined up for the 5k race
There was plenty of food for the walkers and runners
Team Evan - wins first place - largest team
Nearly 100 runners lined up for the 5k race


There was plenty of food for the walkers and runners


Team Evan - wins first place - largest team


Team Ethan - comes in 2nd place with nearly 30 members
Team Saige - her friends from college came to join the walk
Christine Shannon, Buddy and Dr. Linda
Team Ethan - comes in 2nd place with nearly 30 members


Team Saige - her friends from college came to join the walk


Christine Shannon, Buddy and Dr. Linda



Despite the forecast for rain and possible thunderstorms, the 2nd Annual VBF Walk/Run for Birthmarks was a huge success. The sun came out; the clouds disappeared, except for a brief shower which was followed by a glorious rainbow, and over 300 individuals attended this year’s event. There were almost 100 runners and a little over 200 walkers. Donations are still coming in but this year’s event will top $10,000.

 

Basia Joyce (VBF’s Executive Assistant) once again Co-Chaired the event with Barbara A. Rothaupt, Esq. Both did a fantastic job. There was plenty of food donated, bouncey bounce for the kids along with tumbling tykes. Hot dogs and other snacks were available and a free financial consultation from the main event sponsor: Mirkovic’, Lambert & Teal, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services. Other event sponsors included the Center for Facial Plastic Surgery & University Ear, Nose and Throat of Northeastern New York, Silhouette Eye Studio, SEFCU, the Lia Auto Group, Stewart’s Shops and Price Chopper and Hannaford supermarkets. Erle Daniels and his company “Race With Us” did another great job handling the sanctioned 5k race.

 

Prizes were awarded to the largest walking teams as well as first, second, and third place finishes in all age categories for the 5k race.

 

Buddy Booby (VBF’s Mascot) and the character in the Buddy Booby’s Birthmark Book made his debut at this year’s event. Thanks to AJ Palmateer for wearing the costume and giving life to Buddy !

 

Lastly, this year’s walk/run was dedicated to the memory of Charlotte “Char” Shannon Gallo, VBF’s 1st official volunteer. Chris is the grandmother of Christine Shannon, daughter of VBF President and Founder Dr. Linda (and Chuck Shannon, Char’s son).

 

Join us again next year on Friday, May 13, 2011. Should be a lucky day for us !

 
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