Surgical Physician Assistants at NYP-Queens
Welcome to the Department of Surgery at NYP Queens, where Physician Assistants (PAs) are integral to our commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare with continuity and compassion.
Established in 1979, our PA program at NYP Queens has been a cornerstone in the evolution of modern surgical care. With over four decades of experience, our Department of Surgery proudly champions the pivotal role of PAs in bridging clinical encounters and ensuring a seamless continuum of care.
Our PAs are not only graduates of accredited Physician Assistant Programs but also hold current NCCPA Certification, bringing a wealth of specialized credentials in life support and trauma care. Their dedication and professional competence reflect our unwavering standards in patient-centered care.
Beyond their clinical expertise, our PAs serve as educators and mentors, shaping the next generation of surgical leaders through their guidance and clinical acumen. Across diverse specialties from ENT to Neurosurgery, our specialized PAs drive innovation and excellence, enhancing patient outcomes through collaborative care practices.
At NYP Queens, our PAs are steadfast advocates for patient safety and quality improvement, adhering to the highest standards of practice in every facet of patient care. Their contributions are widely recognized and appreciated by patients, families, and colleagues alike, underscoring their invaluable role in our surgical team.
Join us at NYP Queens as we continue to push the boundaries of surgical excellence, guided by a shared commitment to innovation, compassion, and the highest standards of patient care.
Chief Physician Assistant
![Ronald D Combs, MMSc., PA-C, FCCM Ronald D Combs, MMSc., PA-C, FCCM](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/Ronnie.jpg?itok=TMita1qo)
Ronald D Combs, MMSc., PA-C, FCCM
Chief Physican Assistant Surgery/Associate Director SICU
Hometown: Roslyn Heights, New York
Education: Alderson Broaddus University Philippi, West Virginia 1979
Specialty Division: Surgical Critical Care
General Surgery PA'S
![Sherry Balkissoon Sherry Balkissoon](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-07/sherry-balkissoon.webp?itok=bUqs4NkX)
Sherry Balkissoon
Surgical Physician Assistant
Hometown: NY / Guyana
Education: St. John's University & Pace University
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-07/tasnim-ahmed.jpg?itok=3sSKUAAm)
Tasnim Ahmed
Physician Assistant
Hometown: Queens, NY
Education: St. John's University
![(Amy) Jia M. Feng (Amy) Jia M. Feng](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/Jia%20Min%20Feng.jpg?itok=l4PrQ-pu)
(Amy) Jia M. Feng
Physician Assistant
Hometown: New York City
Education: St. John's University
Omel Figueroa
PA-C
Hometown: Malverne NY
Education: Touro College
Faizool Khan
Physician Assistant
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Education: St. John's University
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/Laura%20Holmes.jpg?itok=lIMH645r)
Laura Holmes
Acute Care and Trauma Surgery Physician Assistant
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Education: Undergrad- The University of Alabama, PA program- CUNY York College
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/lalla.jpg?itok=TF0TX8eU)
Shawn A. Lalla
Senior Physician Assistant
Hometown: Queens, NY
Education: Masters Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS), Bachelor of Applied Science Physician Assistant (BASc)
![Shu Qiu Shu Qiu](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/Shu%20Qiu.jpg?itok=f3_upu0H)
Shu Qiu
Physician Assistant
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Education: Cornell University B.S. in Nutritional Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine PA Program, Stony Brook University M.S. in PA studies
![Michael Rachwalski Michael Rachwalski](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/Mike.jpg?itok=R8WO9vw8)
Michael Rachwalski
Physician Assistant
Hometown: Flushing, NY
Education: Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences
Neurosurgery PA's
Frank Eisinger
Chief Physician Assistant
Hometown: Flushing, NY
Education: State University of NY at Stony Brook Allied Health PA Program
Jonathan Abayev
Assistant Chief Physician Assistant Department of Neurosurgery
Hometown: Forest Hills, NY.
Education: B.S. CUNY York College, M.S. SUNY Stony Brook University
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-06/Pedro%20Palacios-PA.webp?itok=8hZO06g6)
Pedro X. Palacios
Physician Assistant
Hometown: Guayaquil - Ecuador
Education: CUNY School of Medicine PA Program - 2008
Megan Marie Tamborino
Physician Assistant
Hometown: Massapequa Park
Education: St. John's University, Bachelor of Science
Philemon Chu
Physician Assistant
Hometown: East Meadow, NY
Education: Cornell University
(Cindy) Sue Ping Cheng
PA-C
Hometown: Queens, NY
Education: Pace University
Lilliana Coppinger
Physician Assistant 1
Hometown: Huntington NY
Education: York College Physician Assistant program
Urology PA's
![MeiLong Yuan MeiLong Yuan](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/MeiLong.jpg?itok=t-zYfJ6t)
MeiLong Yuan
Chief Physician Assistant of Urology
Hometown: Queens, NY
Education: Masters of Physician Assistant at SUNY- Stony Brook, Bachelor of Science at CUNY- York College
![Mariam Rashidzada Mariam Rashidzada](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/Miriam.jpg?itok=a4xjDTtI)
Mariam Rashidzada
PA, BS, MS
Hometown: Flushing, Queens
Education: Bachelors of Science from York college, City University of New York, Masters of Science in Physician Assistant studies from Touro University
![Yi Chen Yi Chen](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/Yi%20Chen.jpg?itok=J-avEhwm)
Yi Chen
Physician Assistant
Hometown: Fujian, China
Education: BS and MS
Jonathan Babayev
Physician Assistant
Hometown: New York
Education: St John's University BS in Physician Assistant Studies
Nashid Islam
Physician Assistant
Hometown: Queens. New York
Education: SUNY Downstate
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-06/Niazmand%20Wahid.webp?itok=lmN_Lhm7)
Wahid Niazmand
Physician Assistant
Hometown: Valley Stream
Education: Bachelors of Science from York college, City University of New York
Elizabeth Lily Cabazon
Senior Physician Assistant
Hometown: Queens, New York
Education: Colgate University BA, St. John's University BS, Catholic Medical Center PA, Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management/Weill Cornell Graduate of Medical Sciences MBA MS
![Christine Ramkishun Christine Ramkishun](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/Christine.jpg?itok=J1joB_Fi)
Christine Ramkishun
Physician Assistant
Hometown: Richmond Hill, NY
Education: Pace University, York College PA program
Marie A. Audain
Physician Assistant
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Education: Bachelors of Science Degree/ PA Studies from York College. Masters of Science Degree/PA Studies from Touro University School of Health Science
Robotics PA's
Andrea Pizarro
Senior Robotic Surgery Physician Assistant
Hometown: Cuenca, Ecuador
Education: YORK COLLEGE (2011): Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, PACE University (2015): Master in Physician Assistant Studies
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/Eugene.jpg?itok=bYkeJ9yD)
Yevgeniy Eugene Yakubov
Senior Robotic Physician Assistant
Hometown: Donetsk City of Ukraine
Education: York College. PA training at NYU and NYP
![Kliti Shentolli Kliti Shentolli](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/Kliti.jpg?itok=_8OZPPhV)
Kliti Shentolli
Physician Assistant
Hometown: Tirana, Albania
Education: Master's PA Program at York College
![Alex Liang Alex Liang](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/Alex.jpg?itok=_CQDnSSy)
Alex Liang
Physician Assistant
Hometown: Corona, Queens
Education: St. John's University
Bariatric Surgical PA
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/Tolentino%20Annalisa.jpg?itok=TFsu6C8Q)
Annalisa Tolentino
Bariatrics Surgical Physician Assistant
Hometown: Flushing, NY
Education: St John’s University PA program, Masters of Physician Assistant Studies from Pace University
Hepatobiliary Surgery PA
Olga Yakubov
Physician Assistant
Hometown: Farmingdale, NY
Education: Touro College
Breast Surgical PA
![Jianan Qiao Jianan Qiao](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_80px_x_80px/public/acquiadam/2024-05/Jianan%20Qiao.jpg?itok=DNhnZvvk)
Jianan Qiao
Senior Physician Assistant
Hometown: Queens, NY
Education: DMSc- Doctorate in Medical Science, University of Lynchburg, MHS - Master's in Health Science of Physican Assistant Study, Touro College