Home Our patient-centered practice Meet Dr. Sterry's New York staff

Every member of Dr. Sterry's staff is dedicated to making you feel welcome, answering your questions and giving you the personal care you deserve.

Get to know our staff

Shali, Patient Coordinator and Office Manager

Shali may be the first person you'll talk to when you call Dr. Sterry's office. She's always ready to answer your questions and help you schedule an appointment.

When you visit our office, Shali will make you feel at home. She also works with Dr. Sterry to help you decide on the procedures that are right for you.

If you're considering cosmetic surgery, Shali will be happy to help you with payment arrangements. “I can usually get the financing company's decision by the time you complete your consultation with Dr. Sterry,” she says.

To help you prepare for surgery, Shali will give you a personalized guidebook with detailed advice from Dr. Sterry on pre- and post-operative care.

Alexandra Santiago, Certified Medical Assistant

Alexandra, or “Alex,” assists Dr. Sterry in many aspects of patient care and has been working in health care since 1992. “I like taking care of people,” she says. Alex speaks fluent Spanish and serves as an interpreter for patients more comfortable with Spanish than English.

As a certified medical assistant, Alex will make sure you get the lab tests you need before surgery. Alex also assists Dr. Sterry during in-office surgical procedures.

Many times, bariatric patients confide in Alex as they adjust to the changes in their lives after body contouring surgery. “One woman couldn't believe she got a bouquet of flowers for Valentine's Day from a secret admirer,” Alex recalls. “Now she's dating him and they're having fun!”

Risa Poon, Medical Biller

Risa, a Certified CPT Coder, has been working in medical billing since 1993. If you're considering a procedure that could be considered reconstructive surgery (vs. cosmetic surgery), Risa will work with you to see whether you qualify for insurance benefits.

“For a procedure to be considered reconstructive surgery, you must have a diagnosis related to a recognized medical condition,” Risa explains. “For example, breast reduction surgery can be considered reconstructive if you are suffering from symptoms such as back pain or neck pain, and have tried more-conservative treatments without success.

“I'll help you understand whether your procedure is cosmetic or reconstructive,” says Risa. “If it could be considered reconstructive, I'll review your insurance policy to see if it covers that procedure-and if so, prepare and submit the paperwork to apply for benefits.”

Risa is very experienced in getting women approved for coverage of breast reconstruction surgery after breast cancer. “It's something I feel very passionate about,” she says. “It can be a long approval process. We've worked with some patients for over a year.”