Dean's Advisory Board

Stuart B. Almer is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Gurwin Healthcare System, Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Gurwin Jewish ~ Fay J. Lindner Residences, Gurwin Home Care Agency, Gurwin Healthcare Foundation and Fountaingate Gardens.  Prior to joining Gurwin in 2015, Mr. Almer served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, and prior to that as Vice President, Operations at Peninsula Hospital Center.  Mr. Almer has also held senior management positions at Syosset Community Hospital, Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center and Huntington Hospital.

Mr. Almer is an Adjunct Professor in the Masters in Health Administration Program at Hofstra University, and previously served in a similar capacity in Hofstra’s Gerontology Program.  He often lectures to community and civic organizations on quality, leadership, the status of long-term care, and the overall state of the healthcare system.

As the Chief Executive Officer for Infinity Healthcare Management, Michael Blisko is a veteran of leading healthcare consultancy portfolios, as well as the architect in creating cutting edge leadership teams. Infinity Healthcare management is comprised of consultancy agreements in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Arkansas, with the facilities housing approximately 5,000 licensed skilled nursing home beds. Additionally, Mr. Blisko is a principle and on the Board of Directors for Strawberry Fields, a REIT with over 7,000 skilled nursing beds throughout the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas.

To further diversify his portfolio, Mr. Blisko is a principle for a myriad of ancillary companies including United Rx, a long term pharmacy, Heritage Home Health and Hospice, Xcel Med, Bella Monte Recovery, and Core Centers Recovery. Additionally, Michael is also an owner/operator for 42 facilities in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Arkansas.

Currently, Michael serves on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Healthcare Association (IHCA) and is on the committee for Post-Acute Care for the American Healthcare Association (AHCA). Previously, Michael was the Chairman of the Regulatory Committee with the Illinois Council for Long Term Care 2014- 2014, and was also on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Council of Long Term Care. Michael’s success began in the healthcare industry growing up in Brooklyn, NY where he spent his primary years working in a nursing home alongside his father. He continued on to become a licensed Nursing Home Administrator with a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Hofstra University and a BA in Talmudic Law from Bais Yisroel, Jerusalem The reverberation of Michael’s success is centered around his unique brand and leadership style. With that, Michael lent his voice as the author of his book, “The Root Cause Analysis of a Balanced leader”.

Darren has learned to adapt and succeed within each of his environments. After earning himself a full scholarship to play football, his educational desire for healthcare began to outweigh his love of the sport.

Darren began his healthcare career in Baltimore, Maryland with the Johns Hopkins Hospital. There he was continuously promoted in many capacities to leadership as an Assistant Administrator. Recently recruited for a position in Jacksonville, Florida, Darren is now in senior leadership for the Mayo Clinic.

In addition to his profession, Darren serves on various healthcare boards for national associations, serves on the board of a young professional group under the United Way, is a proud life-member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and is 1 of 120 leaders in the entire nation to advance health equity through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He is expected to receive his Doctorate of Public Health in Health Policy and Management Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in 2021.

David Finkelstein is the CIO for RiverSpring Health a not for profit post acute care provider based on Riverdale NY. He is responsible for all technology news for this $1B organization. David graduated Hofstra in 1985 with a BBA in Business Computer Information Systems.

Charles R. Hale, a chronicler of New York life and culture, blends the city’s rich history with music, imagery and performance art and captures the vibrant and unique experience that is New York Cityin his historically-themed shows. Charles’ ancestral history essays have been published in literary magazines and in the 2019 anthology, “The Writing Irish of New York.” He is the co-founder of Artists Without Walls, an organization dedicated to cultural collaboration and artistic achievement. In 2013 the City University of New York honored Charles for ”Outstanding Service to New York and Irish America.”

Aaliyah Haqq’s career has taken her from Health & Human Services to Executive Leadership Development to Commercial Real Estate. Her diverse experience supports her ability to connect with people on multiple levels, communicate effectively, diplomatically, and openly. Currently, Aaliyah Haqq is Vice President at Dominus Commercial where she partners with C-level executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to explore the relationship between office space, strategy, purpose, culture, and staff retention.

Aaliyah is best known for using her strengths to create the conditions for organizations, leaders, teams, and families to be at their best. Her innate curiosity, strong business acumen, and fiercely strategic thinking have shaped her ability to translate data into business strategy to grow business and create win-win solutions for all stakeholders.

A strong advocate for serving the community, Aaliyah is a past Board Chair for National Family Preservation Network and Promise House. She currently serves on the Dallas CASA Community Outreach Committee and is a member of the Promise House Executive Support and Assessment Team. To support the demands of being a corporate athlete, she plays soccer, practices yoga, and is a marathoner.

Aaliyah holds a BS from Hofstra University in Community Health.

A pediatrician, Blood Disorder and Cancer specialist at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Los Angeles  where he serves as the Director of Clinical Hematology Program and has a faculty appointment in the Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Medicine.

Dr. Jain’s pioneering research has been in Global Child Health, especially looking at Lead poisoning and Iron Deficiency anemia which is one of the most prevalent preventative causes of mental retardation and growth defects in the World. His expertise as a hematologist, public health expert and a Global Citizen allowed him to build a remarkable body of work in 3 continents where he has spent practicing medicine. He has been sought by the American Cancer Society, Ministry of Health in Africa and India, Harvard Medical School amongst numerous other international health organizations to lead or assist their global health program.

More specifically his research to reduce toxicity of treatment in children undergoing is helping Stem cell transplantation for Hematological diseases is helping investigators around the world to better refine this cutting edge technology from Laboratory to Hospital globally.

Dr. Jain takes care of children with Cancer and Hematologic disorders at the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles and teaches at the medical school.  He is an expert in the affairs of global health and serves as the advisor to the Harvard University, American cancer society and American academy of pediatrics. He believes in the motto of no child left behind and hopes that with collaborative effort east could catch up with the west and reduce international childhood deaths from cancer significantly.

He is the recipient of numerous National and International awards and has contributed extensively to the hematology, oncology, cellular therapy and public health literature. Most significant amongst which were the “Citation of Excellence in Public Service “ by the County Executive during his time in Nassau County , New York in 2015.

Dr. Akshat Jain is a native of Jaipur, India and the executive director of a 100 bedded charitable nonprofit multi-specialty hospital in Rajasthan, the seat of all major international philanthropy by his own Non Profit “Prarabdha” in the region and teaches as a Honorary visiting faculty as the SMS Medical College in his native home town .

Mr. Lamantia has joined Northwell Health as the Vice President of Population Health Management and the Executive Director of Health Solutions, the care management organization of Northwell Health. In his role, he will oversee strategy and operations of the care management organization and partner with Northwell Health clinical and operational leadership to support Northwell Health’s performance in value-based care and alternative payment models. Mr. Lamantia previously served as Chief of Operations for Population Health at Stony Brook University Hospital and as Executive Director of the Suffolk Care Collaborative, a New York State Performing Provider System (PPS) in the Medicaid Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program (DSRIP).

Prior to his role at Stony Brook, Mr. Lamantia served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of South Nassau Communities Hospital, a 435-bed hospital for approximately seven years. In addition, Mr. Lamantia worked for Northwell Health (formerly the North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System) for approximately 16 years in multiple capacities, including serving as Executive Director of Franklin Hospital and Associate Executive Director of Finance for Plainview Hospital. Additionally, he spent two years as a manager for Ernst & Young’s national healthcare consulting practice.

Tammy R. Lawlor, Esq. is a Partner at the Law Firm of Miller & Milone, P.C. located in Garden City, New York. Miller & Milone, P.C. is a full service law firm, practicing in Elder Law, Health Law, Estates and Trusts. Ms. Lawlor is a graduate of the Hofstra University School of Law and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1997. She also holds a Masters of Business Administration, specializing in Finance. She is on the Executive Committee for the New York State Bar Association, is Vice-Chair of the Legislation Committee and the Health Law Section Liaison for the Elder Law Section. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and Vice President of the NY NAELA.

Carle-Marie Memnon is the Assistant Vice President for HSS Education Institute at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). Ms. Memnon is a board-certified Health Care Executive with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector. Her background includes human resources, graduate medical education, budgeting, operations, project and event planning.

Ms. Memnon has worked in such prestigious settings as Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC; Winthrop-University Hospital and North Shore University Hospital in Long Island, NY.

Ms. Memnon is a Fellow and Past Regent-At-Large for District 1 of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and Immediate Past Chair of the Healthcare Leaders of New York (HLNY) Diversity Committee. Ms. Memnon is a member of the ACHE Nominating Committee, Voluntary Giving Committee and Counselors Committee. She is also currently the President Elect and Program Committee Chair for the New York Regional Chapter of the National Association of Health Service Executives.

Ms. Memnon received her Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from Fordham University. She holds a Master of Arts in Health Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Hofstra University. She earned a Certificate in Human Resources Studies from Cornell University. Ms. Memnon is currently pursuing her doctorate degree at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her interests include: Strategic planning, operations management, leadership development, diversity management, physician relations and interdisciplinary team collaboration. Carle-Marie currently served as the Vice President for the Hofstra Master of Health Administration Alumni Association.

Dawn Plumitallo is a psychologist and is the founder and Executive Director of Kids First Evaluation & Advocacy Center. Kids First is an agency that provides educational support to children ages birth to twenty-one. Kids First recently celebrated its 20th year and was named a Newsday Top Long Island Work Place for 2018.

Her clients include:

• Nassau & Suffolk County Department of Health Services – Early Intervention Programs. Children birth to 2.11 months
• New York State Education Department - contracts to provide special education support services to children ages 3-5 years.
• School Districts across Long Island to support school age children. 5 to 21 years of age.
• SEPTA & PTA’s as guest speaker
• Local universities for internship opportunities for OT, Psychology, counseling and speech graduate students
• School Districts as guest speaker for staff professional development.

Before devoting her work fulltime to Kids First, Dr. Plumitallo served as an AVP in the TQM program and Systems Training departments at a major financial institution. And as a Systems Analyst at a pharmaceutical company.

Dr. Plumitallo has also taught psychology courses at Farmingdale State University and Nassau Community College.

Dr. Plumitallo is a proud Hofstra alum and is active in her Civic Association and is a member of the American Psychological Association. She is an avid kickboxer, swimmer and travel enthusiast. She resides with her husband and has two grown children.

Ms. Ramjit currently serves as the Associate Director and Chief of Staff to the Chief Transformation Officer at Mount Sinai Health System and President of Mount Sinai Morningside. In her role, she supports the Health System’s Patient Experience, Learning and Process Improvement initiatives as well as supporting various hospital-based transformation initiatives. Ms. Ramjit’s career in healthcare spans over 10 years and her areas of expertise include population health management, hospital and long-term care operations, Medicare Advantage operations and pre-hospital care operations.

Ms. Ramjit is a dual degree holder from New York Institute of Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences/ Biology and a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition. She also obtained her Master of Health Administration from Hofstra University. In addition, she holds Certificates in Executive Healthcare Leadership and Healthcare Change Leadership from Cornell University. Ms. Ramjit is the Founder of the Hofstra University MHA Alumni Association and currently serves as Past President. She serves on faculty as a Clinical Assistant Professor and Member of the Advisory Board for the SUNY Stony Brook Master of Health Administration Program. She currently holds the role of Secretary with the Healthcare Leaders of New York (HLNY), the local chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

Ms. Ramjit was featured in Northwell Health’s February 2017 “Made for this” series and she is also the recipient of the ACHE 2018 Early Career Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award.

Tara Buonocore-Rut is the Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Operations at Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, a nationally recognized non-profit center for health care and rehabilitation including a comprehensive network of community health care programs of adults.

Tara is also one of the founding senior executives of AgeWell New York, LLC, a Managed Care Plan launched in 2012 serving the Medicare and Medicaid populations in the New York Metropolitan area. AgeWell New York delivers value in health care coverage and care management through its Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans and Managed Long Term Care Plans. Its focus is on the health care needs of seniors from the youngest of the old to the oldest of the old.

Tara holds a Master of Health Administration degree and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Hofstra University, and has held various executive management positions in the long term care industry. She is a licensed nursing home administrator in the State of New York. Her professional experience has included administrative responsibility for facility operations, strategic planning and development of new long term care services and businesses, and leadership of several health care companies prior to joining at AgeWell. She was recognized by the Queens Courier in New York as one of the Top Women in Business in New York. She received a Young Leadership Award by the Association for Jewish Aging Services.

Ms. Nina DePaola, PT, MHA has been with Northwell Health for 34 years and is Vice President, Post-Acute Services, focused on business development, programmatic growth and team engagement for rehabilitation services offered in the home. She over the years has expanded the rehabilitation and musculoskeletal services within Northwell’s continuum of care.

Prior to this role she served as Vice President of the Orthopedic and Physiatry Service Lines since its inception in 2004, through 2020. She played an integral role in the creation and significant expansion of a multi-specialty physician network across our service area, which is now comprised of more than 115 physicians and 38 practice sites rendering more than 300,000 patient visits and contributing to 36,000 surgeries annually. Nina has collaborated and partnered with physician leadership to develop and administratively oversee research, education and outreach, and to develop a variety of clinical programs such as sports medicine, spine center, concussion program, joint replacement programs.  In 2011, Nina developed the Northwell Bioskills Laboratory, a cadaveric dissection laboratory which is nationally renowned, used by all specialties of physicians for surgical and procedural training and simulation.

She served as the Northwell Health Medical Chairperson working with the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) for the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage where she managed more than 200 medical providers offering care to participating professional golfers and event attendees. Through strong collaboration, she also developed a number of rehabilitation programs and centers of excellence across our care continuum, from inpatient to outpatient, skilled nursing and home care. 

Perhaps most notably, she launched and pioneered the creation of Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Services (STARS) in 1998 and oversaw its successful expansion as executive director from 1995 through 2018. The Physical and Occupational Therapy care is offered by a team of more than 150 therapists. She began her career with Northwell as a physical therapist at North Shore University Hospital in 1987 and is a recognized leader in driving team and physician engagement across the businesses she has led.

Known by many as a “Home Care Advocate”, Sherly Demosthenes-Atkinson was appointed as CEO of CABS Home Attendants Service, Inc., in 2017 and holds a Master’s of Health Administration from Hofstra University. With over 20 years of healthcare experience, Sherly exemplifies CABS’ mission of equitable innovative healing, teaching, and discovery through quality service delivery to underserved communities.

Prior to her CEO appointment, she served as Executive Director from 2013 to 2017, and Associate Director of Case Management from 2006 to 2013. During this time, she developed an appreciation for the clients served and the service delivery disposition of the organization. The cumulative knowledge of these roles inspires her vision to streamline and optimize the CABS organization—pivoting a transformational culture that centers on the patient experience.

Since 2017, under Sherly’s leadership, CABS acquired a contract with the largest public housing authority in North America, the NYC Department of Housing Authority (NYCHA); contributed to the success of preventing hospitalizations through the New York State Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program with various partnerships including the NYC Health & Hospital Corporation (HHC); and launched the CABS Care Management Agency to expand and tailor the services CABS has been providing for years to a broader population in need of a more integrated, comprehensive and patient centered program.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, in April 2021, CABS Homecare expanded to become the CABS Health Network, offering increased services to the most vulnerable across New York City and Long Island.

Sherly’s work plays an integral role in the circle of care for our vulnerable, elderly, and disabled. Her mantra is, “Until aging in place is an option for all, the pursuit continues.”

Charmain Bogue was appointed as the Executive Director for Women's Campaign International (WCI) on January 11, 2022, a global nonprofit that works to increase and supports women and girls to lead in politics, peacebuilding, and advocacy. WCI serves communities and works with women and girls in 45 countries worldwide.

The organization was founded in 1998 by Emmy-winning reporter and former U.S. Congresswoman Marjorie Margolies.

Prior to her current appointment, Ms. Bogue served in various roles in federal service for 15 years. Her last appointment she served as the Executive Director of Education Service for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Ms. Bogue was charged with providing strategic direction to over 2,000 education employees across the nation. She was responsible for providing oversight to ensure efficient field operations and administration of five education benefit programs and retaining accountability for a $200MM annual budget. These collective efforts ensured the successful execution of nearly $12BN in education benefit payments to nearly one million GI Bill beneficiaries each year. She also served on the National Science and Technology Council Federal Coordination in STEM Education Committee to expand investments in STEM education programs across federal agencies. She also supported the White House Gender Policy Council to develop domestic and foreign policies, programs, and communication strategies to ensure federal agencies advance gender equity and equality.

Ms. Bogue holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Morgan State University and a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Hofstra University. Also, she earned professional certifications at Harvard Kennedy School, University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School and George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership.

Ms. Bogue was awarded the Bill Pearson Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, Service to the Citizens Public Service Award in 2020 and Service to Citizens HillVets 100 in 2019.

She resides in Northern Virginia with her husband and two young daughters.

Isma is a physician practicing in Brooklyn, New York. She also serves as the Executive in Residence for Graduate Public Health Programs at Hofstra University. Isma is passionate about public health issues, specifically healthcare infrastructure, ethnic barriers to primary care, and immigrant health.

Isma is an interfaith activist and an advocate for equity and social justice. She has been actively involved with the Islamic Center of Long Island for over 20 years. In 2015, she was elected the Center’s first female president and, in 2018, the first female chairperson.

In addition to her advocacy, she has extensive public appearances and speaking engagements to her credit, including the United Nations Conference on Islamophobia, Grassroots Models for Interfaith Engagements, United States Institute of Peace, United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention, and the Responsibility to Protect, the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, and Healthcare and Building Community Coalitions @ Engagement Institute. Isma works tirelessly to support local communities and serves on various nonprofit and governmental boards.

She is a founding member of the Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Coalition “Upholding Humanity.” In 2019, she launched her nonprofit “WARIS FOUNDATION” to serve distressed global communities, focusing on Southeast Asia. During the COVID pandemic, she serves as the co-chair of the Health Equity Taskforce- Northwell Health.

Isma has been listed in Long Island Press Power List 2015 - 2023 among the most influential Long Islanders (Power 50), and in 2021 was inducted into the LI Press Hall of Fame. She has been recognized by City & State 2021 Long Island Power 100.

She aspires to build bridges of mutual respect and move beyond “just tolerance” by celebrating the diversity of tradition, culture, and religion.

Rizwan Qureshi is currently the Senior Executive Vice President of HAB BANK, a multi state bank with headquarters in New York City.

Since joining HAB BANK, Rizwan has held various titles and leadership roles in a number of key areas of the Bank. He is a member of senior management with active participation in strategic decision-making process and various initiatives/ projects. He is also the board designated Community Reinvestment Act officer.

Before joining HAB, Rizwan worked at Chase Manhattan Bank from 1980 to 1986 in its retail banking operations. He also served as Adjunct Professor at Hofstra University in Uniondale during 1990 and 1991.

Rizwan currently serves on the Queensborough Community College Fund Inc.'s board. He also serves on Nassau County Health Board. In 2017, Rizwan was appointed a board member to the Nassau County Youth Board. Currently, he is serving as Chair of Youth Board. In 2022, he was elected to serve as president of Rotary Club Hicksville South, Hicksville, NY for 2022/2023. Rizwan is also currently serving on the following advisory boards: Nassau County DA's South Asian Advisory Board and Hicksville High School's Indust1y Advisory Board

Rizwan is also actively associated with Islamic Center of Long Island (ICLI) for over 20 years. During this period, he served as board member and served on various committees at ICLI. Currently serving 3-year term as board member.

Rizwan is a member of various professional associations, trade groups, and community organizations including American Bankers Association (ABA), Independent Bankers Association. He chaired ABA's Economic Advisory Conm1ittee in Washington DC. Rizwan is a charter member of Long Island Import Export Association and represents the Bank at various conmmnity events and gatherings. He has been awarded numerous awards for his conununity service.

Rizwan earned his M.B.A in Banking and Finance from Adelphi University, NY in 1983. He is married to Julie with two sons, Kamran and Adam.