Each year our clinical staff serves more than 5,500 people with disabilities, who make 33,000 visits for primary and specialty care. That experience makes our staff uniquely qualified to understand and anticipate the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition, our providers are recognized experts in their specialties, with many serving on the faculty of New York Medical College.
We provide the broadest array of health services and medical specialties in Westchester and beyond to serve the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition to primary care, we offer many behavioral health resources including psychiatry, neurology, and behavioral psychology. WIHD offers appointments with medical specialties from cardiology to podiatry, as well as comprehensive dental care. We evaluate and meet our patients’ needs for shoes, braces, and wheelchairs. We don’t just treat diseases — we promote health and wellness in our patients. Please read further below to see all that we offer and how to become a part of our mission.
Health & Wellness
Cedarwood Hall, Valhalla, NY
914-493-8148
wihdhealth@WIHD.org
Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5pm
Extended Hours available:
Tuesdays:
8:30am-6:00pm
Please have your current insurance information available when you call.
Primary Care
Primary Care at WIHD is a partnership among patients, caregivers, referral sources and care providers.
What we do:
- Diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions
- Promote and maintain health
- Help prevent disease
- Educate patients and caregivers
Patient-Centered Medical Home
WIHD is recognized as a “Patient-Centered Medical Home” for the more than 5,000 patients we serve each year.
Patients and families can take advantage of our:
- Expanded evening office hours
- 24/7 on call service for after-hour urgent matters
- Care coordination to organize primary and specialty care providers
For more information about Westchester’s Medical Home for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, please click here.
Specialty Care
Complementing our primary care and dental services, WIHD offers a broad range of specialty medical and behavioral health services. Our specialist services, with examples of the conditions they treat, include the following:
- Cardiology: Heart Disease, High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure
- Dermatology: Rashes and Other Skin Conditions
- Endocrinology: Diabetes (Disproportionately Prevalent in the Idd Population), Thyroid Disease and Other Hormonal Abnormalities
- Ent (Otolaryngology): Conditions Affecting Ears, Noses and Throats of Infants Through Adults
- Metabolic Services: Inherited Metabolic Disorders, I.E. Phenylketonuria (Pku)
- Neurology: Seizures, Dementia, Gait Disturbance
- Nutrition Services: Diabetes, Obesity, Weight Management
- Ophthalmology: Eye Disorders, Screening, Corrective Lenses
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Physiatry): Assistive Devices: Special Shoes, Braces, Wheelchairs.
- Podiatry: Foot Care
- Psychiatry: Medication Management to Improve Function and Quality of Life
- Psychological Services: Neuropsychological Testing, Help with Guardianship Documentation, Care Coordination with Psychiatry
- Urology: Urinary Incontinence, Prostate Disorders
- Women’s Health: Well Woman Exams
Transition to Adult Healthcare
Many of our patients come to us as they make the transition from pediatric to adult medical care. This can be a stressful time for patients, who face unfamiliar medical concerns and new healthcare providers. We understand, and we respond with the care, compassion, and patience that you and your loved one deserve.
Because we draw upon the comprehensive resources of WIHD, we can answer your questions about employment, community-based programs and housing options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Meet the Medical Team
ELSA ESCALERA, MD, MPH, MBA
Medical Director at WIHD
All clinical services are provided under the direction of Dr. Escalera. Dr. Escalera holds a medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, an MPH from Columbia University and an MBA from Baruch College. She began her career at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital in 1993 and wanting to do more, she took on increasingly senior positions at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) before assuming the position of Chief Medical Officer for Jewish Guild for the Blind (which later became Lighthouse Guild International).
PROVIDERS
Our providers are well versed in the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and are recognized leaders in their respective fields. Many hold faculty positions at New York Medical College where they train the next generation of medical providers.
Cardiology: Ian Lentnek, MD
Dermatology: Nanette Silverberg, MD
Endocrinology: Christopher Palmeiro, DO; Jennie Luna, MD
ENT: Marie Valdes, MD
Gastroenterology: Rosemarie Arena, MD
Gynecology: Monica Grover, DO; Joanna Pessolano, MD
Metabolic: David Kronn, MD
Neurology: Baldev Singh, MD
Nutrition: Janie Zeitlin, RD; Mary Sexton, RD
Ophthalmology: Gary Turer, MD
Physiatry: Judith Frank, MD; Negin Gohari, DO
Podiatry: Christopher Orlando, DPM, Irwin Kofsky, DPM; Marilyn Butler-Murphy, DPM
Primary Care: Serena Ferguson, MD; Stephanie Goodman, DO; Loretta Lear, FNP
Psychiatry: Houshang Shahim, MD, Robert Grambau, MD, Alla Nirenberg, MD, Richard Kessler, MD
Psychology: Debra Carr, PsyD; Catherine McDermott, PsyD
Urology: Gerald Matthews, MD