Meet the Board of Directors

Dr. Yael Halaas is a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, educator, and clinical investigator based in New York. A graduate of Columbia University and Cornell University Medical College, she has spent more than two decades in practice and has trained thousands of physicians in surgical and non-surgical techniques. Dr. Halaas is a founder of AJMA and serves as Chair of the Board.

Dr. Cary Schwartzbach is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with decades of experience in orthopedic trauma and medical education. He served for many years as Chief of Orthopaedic Trauma at Inova Fairfax Hospital and has held teaching and leadership roles throughout his career. A founding AJMA Board member, Dr. Schwartzbach serves as Treasurer.

Dr. Allyson Ocean is a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal cancers at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she is an attending physician and Professor of Clinical Medicine. Her work spans patient care, clinical research, and the development of new therapies, with a particular focus on gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancers. Dr. Ocean is a founding AJMA Board member.

Dr. Jordana Gilman is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology. A graduate of Williams College and the George Washington University School of Medicine, she completed her dermatology residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Gilman is a founding AJMA Board member and serves as Vice-Chair.

Rick Barton is a healthcare attorney with more than 40 years of experience representing hospitals, health systems, physician groups, and healthcare professionals. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of San Diego School of Law, where he teaches Health Law and Policy. Rick serves as Secretary of the AJMA Board.

Ilana Golant is the founder and CEO of the Food Allergy Fund (FAF), the leading nonprofit accelerating research to prevent, treat, and cure food allergies and related immune diseases. Ilana serves on the Milken Institute’s Changemakers Council and on the Executive Committee of the Healthcare Division at UJA-Federation of New York. She previously held executive roles at NBCUniversal and WPP, served in the U.S. Department of the Treasury, practiced law at Mayer Brown LLP, and earned degrees from Columbia University and NYU School of Law.

Dr. Sheila Nazarian is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder of Nazarian Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills. She teaches plastic surgery residents in Los Angeles and is an entrepreneur, educator, and public advocate.

Dr. Ruth Oratz is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center and a Clinical Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She is deeply involved in patient care, clinical research, medical education, and advocacy. Dr. Oratz is an AJMA founding member.

Dr. Mark Poznansky is a physician-scientist, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Director of the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center at Massachusetts General Hospital. His work focuses on developing novel vaccines and immunotherapies for cancer, infectious diseases, and immune-mediated conditions.

Dr. Joseph Zuckerman is the Walter A.L. Thompson Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. An internationally recognized orthopedic surgeon, his clinical and research interests include shoulder surgery, joint replacement, arthritis, and orthopedic education.

Dr. David Goldenberg is the Kristen Olewine Milke Professor and Chair of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine. A head and neck surgical oncologist, his clinical and research work focuses on head and neck cancer, thyroid cancer, and parathyroid disease.