-Medical School: Pavlov First State Medical University of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg, Russia
-Residency: Elmhurst Hospital Center, Queens, NY
-Additional languages: Russian
Q&A with Dr. Surkhay Bebiya
How did you get into pediatrics?
I accidentally stepped into the pediatric floor in my first year of medical school and felt it was the place where I want to work.
Where did you grow up?
St-Petersburg, Russia.
Where do you live?
Forest Hills, NY.
What do you enjoy most about working in your neighborhood office?
I am looking forward to meeting our patients and their families and learning about their stories. I hope to become not only their pediatrician, but also a member of their community.
What keeps you motivated?
Keeping my patients safe, seeing them getting better, and making them smile.
What do you do for fun?
Play with my 4 year-old son!
Alla Blank, MD
-Medical School: The Academy of Pediatrics, St Petersburg, Russia
-Residency: Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY
-Second Language: Russian
Q & A with Dr. Alla Blank
How did you get into pediatrics?
I love kids and thought it would be fun to work with kids and see them grow up healthy.
Where did you grow up?
St-Petersburg, Russia.
Where do you live?
Teaneck, NJ.
What do you enjoy most about working in Jersey City?
I love Hamilton Park.
What keeps you motivated?
Seeing kids grow healthy and happy!
What do you do for fun?
I love traveling and going out to eat.
Ekaterina Golovko, MD
-Medical School: Saint- Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University
-Residency: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai / Elmhurst Hospital Center
-Second Languages: Russian
Q & A with Dr. Ekaterina Golovko
How did you get into Pediatrics?
Since my childhood, I have always enjoyed taking care of the children in my family, being around kids, and seeing them grow and thrive. During my adolescence, when it was about the time to choose my future career, I was hospitalized at a pediatric university hospital. I felt the caring attitude and empathy of the people who worked there. This made a great impact on my future and I felt that pediatrics was my calling. A few years later I was accepted to the same hospital as a first year medical student.
Where did you grow up?
Saint-Petersburg, Russia.
Where do you live?
Brooklyn, NY
What do you enjoy most about working in your neighborhood office?
Getting to know my little patients and their families, and learning more about the community.
What keeps you motivated?
The joy of children’s smiles and laughter. Also watching kids growing healthy and thriving.
What do you do for fun?
I like to spend time with my family and friends, exploring new restaurants of NYC, or trying new recipes at home.
Shanna Nevelev, MD
-Undergraduate: Macaulay Honors College/CUNY-Hunter College, New York, NY.
-Medical School: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY.
-Residency: New York-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY.
-Additional Languages: Russian.
Q & A with Dr. Shanna Nevelev
How did you get into pediatrics?
I started in Pediatrics at the bench as a development science researcher, and fell in love with caring for children at the bedside in medical school. I find joy in being able to provide family-centered care and watch children grow.
Where did you grow up?
Staten Island, New York.
Where do you live?
Gowanus, Brooklyn.
What do you enjoy most about working in your neighborhood office?
It is a privilege to care for such a diverse community. I’m looking forward to getting to know my patients and their families.
What keeps you motivated?
The families I care for and my own family.
What do you do for fun?
Spending time with my daughters and husband, traveling, cooking/eating, and watching movies.
Yevgeniya (Jane) Shurp, MD
-Medical School: First Tashkent State Medical Institute, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
-Residency: St Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital, New York, NY.
-Additional languages: Russian
Q & A with Dr. Yevgeniya (Jane) Shurp
How did you get into pediatrics?
I have always dreamed of becoming a physician, specifically, a pediatrician. My choice was greatly influenced by my grandmother, who was a highly respected and prominent pediatrician. She encouraged my interest in becoming a pediatrician, but wanted me to realize that there was more to medicine than saving lives and relieving suffering. She taught me that this profession carries an enormous responsibilities for whole patient and this responsibility entails emotional stress.
Where did you grow up?
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (former USSR).
Where do you live?
Westchester.
What do you enjoy most about working in your neighborhood office?
I like to be the part of the community: see kids and their families outside the office, and read about their achievements in local newspapers.
What keeps you motivated?
Smiles on children’s and caregiver’s faces. Watching the kids grow and mature over the years and developing a unique bond with not only the child but the whole family.
What do you do for fun?
I like to travel, garden, cook, and spend time with friends and family.