Alexandra Cohen Nutrition Staff
Lendy Black, MS, RD, CDN, IBCLC
Supervisor, Clinical Nutrition
Lendy began her career at NYP in 2016 after completing the NYP Dietetic Internship. Following graduation, she specialized in the field of pediatric and obstetric nutrition at NYP/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. Lendy transitioned into the Senior Dietitian role in 2020 at NYP/Alexandra Cohen Hospital for Women and Newborns. In 2021, she was promoted to Clinical Nutrition Supervisor where she currently oversees the OB and NICU Dietitians as well as the Dietetic Technicians who operate the Infant Feeding Preparation Area. Lendy has a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Nutrition from Clemson University and a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States. Lendy became certified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in 2021.
Tiffanie Lafond, RD, CDN, CNSC
Senior Dietitian
Tiffanie is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Nutrition Support Specialist with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Florida State University. She completed her Pediatric Dietetic Internship through Sodexo, New York in 2016. Tiffanie had experience in pediatric, NICU, PICU and adult nutrition prior to joining the team. She currently oversees the infant feeding preparation area and cross covers NICU and obstetrics.
Julieanne Biggs, MS, RD, CDN
Clinical Dietitian
Julieanne earned her B.A. in Public Relations from The Pennsylvania State University. After spending a few years in advertising media, she pivoted to pursue a career in nutrition and went on to obtain her Master of Science in nutrition from Hunter College. Following the completion of her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in 2018, she joined the NYP/Cornell Clinical Nutrition Team as a staff dietitian. In her current role at Alexandra Cohen Hospital for Women and Newborns, she specializes in providing nutrition care for the obstetric population from pregnancy through lactation. She also provides cross coverage in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Rachel Chambers, MS, RD, CDN, CNSC, CLC
Clinical Dietitian
Rachel received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Duke University and her Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. She completed her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and joined the clinical staff in 2015 shortly after starting her fellowship in nutrition support. Rachel specializes in pediatric nutrition and currently covers the neonatal intensive unit and follow-up developmental clinic.
Taylor Dang
Dietetic Technician
Taylor received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Food Studies with a concentration in Dietetics, American Sign Language, and Pre-Health at New York University. Alongside her studies, Taylor focused on community organizing, research, and political advocacy centered around food- and health- justice across all NYC boroughs. Taylor has been a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian community since 2019 during which she served as a Nutrition Assistant and Cook at the Weill-Cornell campus. Currently, Taylor is transitioning from her first year of study in Naturopathic and Classical Chinese Medicine to pursue a career as a Medical Doctor where she plans to use functional medicine and clinical nutrition as the cornerstones of her future practice. Fun fact: Taylor studied and performed both jazz trumpet and classical cello for 13 years, and hopes to return to ensemble practice post-medical school.
Nawal DeMesme, NDTR
Dietetic Technician
Nawal received an A.A. in Dietetics from Prince George's Community College in 2017. She then moved to NYC to complete her B.S. in Health and Nutrition Sciences from Brooklyn College in 2020. In 2022, Nawal became a Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered and began working at NYP. Nawal is applying for a combined Master's and Dietetic Internship program to continue her nutrition career and become a Registered Dietitian.
Rissa Landman, MS, RD, CSP, CDN, CNSC
Clinical Dietitian
Rissa graduated with honors from the BS-MS in Nutrition program at Hunter College. After completing the Dietetic Internship program at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital she was selected as a Nutrition Fellow specializing in Pediatrics prior to joining the staff in 2015. Rissa is a Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition (CSP) and Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC). She is passionate about working with infants and children of all ages along with their caregivers to provide them with nutritional guidance and support to help them thrive.
Megan Mataga MS, RD, CDN, CNSC
Clinical Dietitian
Megan received her B.A. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Boston University and her Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. She completed her Dietetic Internship at NYU Langone Health in 2016 and joined their clinical staff shortly after graduation. During her years at NYU, Megan primarily covered surgery, nutrition support, and critical care, and provided cross coverage in their 50-bed level IV NICU. Megan is currently a full-time NICU dietitian at the Alexandra Cohen Hospital for Women and Newborns and is a Certified Lactation Counselor.
Nicole Musco
Dietetic Technician
Nicole Musco is a Dietetic Technician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, currently completing her MS in Clinical Nutrition at New York University. She has a degree in sociology from the University of Washington, and has previously worked at a non-profit focused on community nutrition, and interned at a weight-inclusive nutrition group practice. Raised in a family restaurant business, Nicole has a long term interest in the interplay between food, culture, and health. She is a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor with a goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian that approaches clinical nutrition with respect to people of all body sizes, abilities, races, and gender identities.
Jonathan Pena
Dietetic Technician
Jonathan completed his Dietetic Technician A.A.S. degree in 2020 from SUNY Westchester Community College. Jonathan is currently pursuing his B.S. degree focused on Exercise Science at Mercy College. His hope is to become a certified ACSM Exercise Physiologist in the cardiac field. He is looking to further expand his knowledge and become a certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist. Fun fact: He loves hiking, nutrition, and fitness.
Samantha Rogers, RD, CDN, CSPCC
Clinical Dietitian
Samantha is a board certified critical care specialist in pediatrics, covering the neonatal intensive care unit and developmental follow-up clinic. She received her B.S. from New York University and completed her dietetic internship and pediatric nutrition fellowship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Initially having covered pediatric inpatient and intensive care at NYP, she has been a clinical dietitian in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit since 2012.
Ella Sarachan
Dietetic Technician
Ella earned her B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in Linguistics from Ithaca College. After working in a nutrition clinic, Ella decided to pivot her career and went on to obtain an M.S. in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences. While in school, Ella completed internships in clinical herbalism with a concentration in women’s health, and hopes to attend medical school in the future.