Our Staff

Braggins, Laura
Research Manager
laura.braggins@rochestergeneral.org

Laura has been with the Hemophilia Center for 7 years.  She is the Research Coordinator and Data Manager for the Center. She works closely with our three doctors on research studies in the areas of hemochromatosis, von Willebrand deficiency and hemophilia.

Laura graduated from the State University of New York at Potsdam with a BA in biology. She came to us with 15 years experience in gastro-intestinal research at both Genesee Hospital and Strong Memorial Hospital.

When she's not busy at work, Laura often can be found playing the piano. She also is an avid reader and loves kids.

Deborah Bennett
Administrative Assistant/Rec.
deborah.bennett@rochestergeneral.org

Debbie Bennett joined the Hemophilia Center Staff in 2007.  She has worked at Rochester General Hospital for 26 years and most recently at the Lipson Cancer Center.

Debbie received an AA degree in Human Services from MCC.

She is our Administrative Assistant/Receptionist and always has a smile for everyone.  She also is a creative "idea" person and has provided great support for the Center's fundraising efforts.

In her spare time Debbie loves spending time with family especially her daughter Nicole and grandson Christopher.

DeRider, Renee - RN
Nurse Coordinator
renee.derider@rochestergeneral.org

Renee joined the nursing staff in 2008.  She has been a nurse since 2001.  After graduating with her RN, she worked on a pediatric hematology/oncology/medical unit at Strong Memorial Hospital (SMH).  She spent 7 years working with infants, toddlers and school-aged children and brings this wonderful experience to our Center.  During her employment at SMH, she became a preceptor to new nurses, thereby passing on her passion for nursing to those just entering the profession.

Renee is kept very busy in her home life with her husband and 9 month old son. When she has a spare minute she also enjoys running, turbo-kickboxing, decorating her house and reading (when it's quiet enough!)

She's excited to be at the Hemophilia Center and the staff and patients are delighted to have her!

Fox, Robert
President, CEO
robert.fox@rochestergeneral.org

 Bob has been President/CEO of the Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center in Rochester, NY since June of 2000. He has been involved with Rochester’s healthcare industry since 1990, formerly with the Rochester Health Care Forum and as Executive Vice President of the Hospital Consortium of Greater Rochester. He is past president of the Hemophilia Alliance, an organization which promotes the interests of Hemophilia Treatment Centers nationwide, and serves as Treasurer of ATHN – American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network, a non-profit organization providing stewardship for the creation and operation of a national data base for the bleeding and clotting disorders community.

He is a 2008 graduate of Leadership Rochester, a voluntary program which seeks to provide established and emerging leaders with knowledge and access to resources, enabling them to understand and respond to the quality of life challenges facing the Greater Rochester region. He is a member of Rochester Rotary. He holds a masters degree in Health Administration from Cornell University and a bachelor's degree from Union College in Schenectady, NY. He, his wife Lori and their teenage son live in Pittsford.
 

Kouides, Peter - MD
Medical & Research Director
 

Dr. Kouides is currently both Medical Director of the Center and Director of Research.  He received his MD in 1986 from the State University of New York at Syracuse, did his residency at Tufts University and then came to the University of Rochester to do Fellowships in both hematology and oncology. He has won numerous awards- several from the University for Rochester for excellence in teaching in Internal Medicine and another Award of Excellence from the National Hemophilia Foundation for his work with women with bleeding disorders.

In 2008 he was awarded the first annual Humanitarian Award by the Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center.

He does extensive research, is extremely well published and a world expert in women with bleeding disorders..

When he's not at the Lipson Cancer Center or the Hemophilia Center, he may be at home in his role as a devoted husband and father.

Kraus, Lindsay - RN, BSN
Nurse Coordinator
lindsay.kraus@rochestergeneral.org

Lyndsay joined the nursing staff at the Center in 2008 as a part-time nurse coordinator.

She graduated from NYU with a BSN.  Prior to coming to the Center she worked in the pediatric unit at Strong Memorial Hospital and continues to work there per diem when she's not at the Center.

Lindsay is very athletic and loves running, exercising and many outdoor activities. 

LaFranco, Jennifer - RN, BSN
Vice President, Director of Clinical Programs
jennifer.lafranco@rochestergeneral.org

Jennifer has been with the Center for over 10 years. Early in 2004 she was promoted from her nursing coordinator position to Director of Clinical Programs -- Congratulations Jennifer!

Jennifer received her Bachelor's degree in Nursing from Keuka College. Prior to joining our staff, she worked in hematology/oncology at Park Ridge Hospital and also worked for several years in the blood services department of the American Red Cross doing apheresis -- a procedure in which blood is drawn from a donor and separated into its components, some of which are retained (plasma & platelets) for later infusion into patients.

When she isn't working at the Center, Jennifer enjoys relaxing watching reality TV or reading a good book!

Lester, Andrea
Administrative Assistant
andrea.lester@rochestergeneral.org

Andrea joined the Center in 2002 as a receptionist and is now an Adminstative Assistant. She keeps our front office running smooth and manages all the daily issues with a smile.  She moved here from Connecticut and is married with a teenage daughter and a son in preschool.  

Magliocco, Linda
Senior Vice-President, Finance
linda.magliocco@rochestergeneral.org

Linda, a long-time dedicated employee of the Hemophilia Center, is the Center's Vice-President, Finance. Linda joined the Center staff in 1988 as Billing Clerk. She later served as the Bookkeeper, Office Manager and Controller, prior to her promotion to VP in 2004. She's our no-nonsense, number one numbers person. In 2006 Linda received our Shining Star Employee Award.

Linda received her BA in accounting at Empire State College.

She is a happily married mother of 2 daughters - Joanne and Andrea, but the apples of her eye are her beautiful granddaughters - Elizabeth and Kaitlyn.

During the summer Linda spends her weekends 'relaxing' at her summer cottage in the Thousand Islands Area.  She loves reading, fishing and is a new tennis enthusiast!

Oppelt, Tricia
Director, Social Work
tricia.oppelt@rochestergeneral.org

Tricia joined our Center in 1999 as our Social Worker. She received her Bachelor's in Social Work at the University of Kentucky and her Master's in Social Work at Syracuse University. Tricia is a certified Social Worker through New York State. She worked at Strong Memorial Hospital on a psychiatric in-patient program and Rochester Rehabilitation Center in an out-patient rehabilitation facility prior to joining our staff.

Tricia's warm personality enables both patients and staff to feel comfortable talking with her. She works closely with the medical staff and patients. She coordinates patient and family educational programs along with peer support groups to empower our patients and families to live a fulfilling life with a bleeding disorder.

Tricia is happily married, the proud Mom of 3 children, and enjoys spending time with her family.

 

Phatak, Prad
Assoc. Medical Director
 

Dr. Pradyumna Phatak is the Center's Associate Medical Director. He graduated with a medical degree from Christian Medical College in Vellore, India and came to Rochester to do post-doctoral fellowships in Internal Medicine at St. Mary's Hospital and Hematology/Oncology at Strong Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Phatak in addition to his appointment at our Center is the Director of Oncology Services at the Lipson Cancer Center at Rochester General Hospital.

He has to his credit over 30 published scientific articles, several books and is invited to speak around the world.

Sham, Ronald - MD
Medical Director
 

Ron is the Center's Medical Director and has provided hematology services to patients for 16 years.

He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in biophysics and from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine.

He practices hematology in the Lipson Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Rochester General Hospital.  Dr. Sham has been intimately involved with hereditary hemochromatosis outreach and research at the Center.

Dr. Sham has an incredibly quick sense of humor enjoyed by all.

Stolte, Jan
Billing Coordinator
jan.stolte@rochestergeneral.org

Jan is a loyal, dedicated employee who has been with the Center for many years. She joined our staff back in 1979 and other than for a brief maternity leave, she has been with us ever since. She is our billing secretary and does medical transcription for all of our doctors.

In 2006 Jan was awarded our Employee Shining Star Award.

Jan received her Medical Assistant Certification in 1976 and later earned her Certified Medical Insurance Specialist Certification.

A dedicated wife and mother to two young men, Jan  enjoys swimming and boating when she isn't traveling to watch her boys play college football.

Jan's wonderful sense of humor and dedication to the Center inspires all the staff.

Tom Wilmarth
Vice President, Public Policy
thomas.wilmarth@rochestergeneral.org

Tom is the newest member of the staff, joing in 2010. He is however no stranger to the Center.  He served previously as a Board Member and also competed in our Finger Lakes Triathlon for the last few years.  Tom's job includes directing the Finger Lakes Triathlon and leading advocacy efforts for the Center. 

Tom earned a B.A. at SUNY Geneseo. He is an experienced professional with extensive background in business development, sales management and marketing.  He and his wife Annaliese live in Pittsford with their 2 children - Emily and John.