Meet Our Team
Catherine Mazzola, M.D.
Dr. Catherine Mazzola completed her Pediatric Neurosurgical Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh and finished her residency training in neurological surgery at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. Dr. Mazzola is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons and the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery. Dr. Mazzola is also the Director of the Craniofacial Center at Atlantic Health Systems-Goryeb Children’s Hospital and also developed the Pediatric Neuromuscular Center at Goryeb Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Mazzola has published several peer - reviewed articles and has presented numerous posters and abstracts at national neuroscience meetings. She has authored and co-authored more than twenty –five papers, and has received grants from the Children’s Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and The New Jersey State Cancer Commission. As an active and concerned pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Mazzola gives several lectures a year for patients and their families, nursing organizations, pediatricians, and residents. She is also involved in teaching pre-medical undergraduates, medical school students, and neurosurgery residents. Dr. Mazzola is currently the Chair of the Workforce committee for the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies and Northeast Regional Vice-Chair. She was elected to the Executive Committee of the Congress of Neurosurgical Surgery in April 2008, and is one of the few female Neurosurgeons in the state. Dr. Mazzola maintains membership in many prestigious organizations including; American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Medical Association and the American Cleft Palate Association.
Lauren Schwartz, M.D.
Dr. Lauren Schwartz completed her neurosurgical training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio and at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Yeshiva University in New York. She received her fellowship training in Pediatric Neurosurgery at the Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery (INN) at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City under the late Dr. Fred Epstein, who pioneered many of the techniques now used by neurosurgeons worldwide to treat the most difficult pediatric brain and spinal tumors. At the INN, Dr. Schwartz participated in the surgical management of some of the most complex brain and spinal tumors and vascular diseases of childhood. She completed additional training in pediatric neurosurgery at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Schwartz is committed to advancing neurosurgery in the United States and internationally. She has been an invited lecturer speaking on topics in pediatric neurosurgery, neurotrauma, stroke, aneurysm surgery, spine surgery, and the social and political issues affecting neurosurgery. Throughout her career, she has also been active in teaching and mentoring residents and medical students at many levels of neurosurgery training and experience. Outside of the office, she enjoys advocating for child welfare and education with both national and international charitable organizations.
Dr. Schwartz is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), where she has served as a liaison on the Executive Committee of the Congress of Neurological Surgery, and the CNS Scientific Program Committee. She recently served as the 20th president of Women in Neurosurgery (WINS), a national neurosurgical association for which she currently remains a member of the Executive Board. She was also recently nominated by the President of the AANS to serve on the Ethics Committee of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Schwartz has written and co-authored multiple journal articles, textbook and web chapters, has served as the editor of a national neurosurgical newsletter, and was featured on Lifetime TV's "Women Heroes of 9/11" for her service at Ground Zero.
Tom Sernas, P.A.
Thomas Sernas completed is education at UMDNJ-RWJ School of Health Related Professions in 1993 and holds the 53rd physician assistant license in the state of New Jersey. Tom joined Atlantic Health Systems in May, 2010 as the coordinator of The Craniofacial Center at Goryeb Children's Hospital.
Mr. Sernas is a seasoned physician assistant. He trained for three years in trauma surgery at University Hospital in Newark and then joined the Department of Neurological Surgery under the tutelage of Pediatric Neurosurgeon, Dr. Peter Carmel. His training encompasses specialties in operative technologies using advanced stereotactic navigation of brain and spine, intra-operative MRI scanning using the first Polestar iMRI system in the United States and deep brain stimulation. During his employment at UMDNJ-Newark, he was appointed to Clinical Assistant Professor through UMDNJ-NJMS for teaching pre-med, medical students, physician assistant/nurse practitioner students, residents and post doctoral fellows. Tom has co-authored several papers in The Journal of Trauma, Stereotact Funct Neurosurgery, Radiosurgery and others. Mr. Sernas has presented numerous posters and abstracts at the scientific meetings of AANS, CNS, ASSFN, and AAPA. He maintains memberships in many prestigious organizations including the AANS, AAPA, CNS, ASSFN and NJSSPA.
Tom continued his love as a physician assistant in the neurological Division of UMDNJ-Robert Wood University Hospital refining his surgical skills until accepting his new position at Morristown Memorial Hospital. He looks forward to the challenge of developing the Craniofacial Center, assisting in developing a Childhood Movement Disorders Center, coordinating support groups for brain tumors and epilepsy and broadening his medical and surgical skills by caring for patients on a daily basis.
Pamela DeAngelis, R.N., CCRN
Pam DeAngelis, R.N. received her nursing degree from the University Of Pennsylvania School of Nursing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She brings to New Jersey Pediatric Neurosurgical Associates more than twelve years of medical – surgical critical care experience, three years of neonatal intensive care and thirty years of nursing in a multitude of areas.
Pam brings this expertise to the New Jersey Pediatric Neurosurgical Associates Center on a daily basis. Her dedication to pediatrics is evident by the service that she provides to every child and families under her care.
Pam maintains membership to the American Association of Neurological Nurses, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, NERVES, American Cleft Palate Association, and New Jersey Medical Society – office manager association.
Pam also serves as the Office Manager and Clinical Coordinator for the practice.
Pediatric Neuroscience Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center Brings Hope to Children with Cerebral Palsy Through Surgical Treatment
When my VP shunt failed in 2007, I had not been seen by a Neurologist/Neurosurgeon in 17 years. I was shunted at 6 months old, in 1963 and had 6 revisions as a child, but as an adult in 1990, no regular follow up was recommended after my post-op clearance. I was referred to Dr. Mazzola, in February, 2007 by a neurosurgeon who called her "The Shunt Specialist". Although I was 44 years old (hardly a pediatric patient) who could provide no information about the kind of shunt I had or the setting, she knew exactly what to do to evaluate my hydrocephalus. I sat in her office and cried when she told me I needed surgery. Pam and Dr. Mazzola gave me a hug and some needed reassurance.
Dr. Mazzola put in a VP Programmable shunt the next day, which has allowed me to return to an active life working full-time, volunteering as an EMT, traveling and spending time with family and friends. I don't think I will ever forget waking up in the recovery room with only one person standing there—Dr. Mazzola! When I was being returned to the room, I could hear my nurse on the phone, giving an update on a patient. The patient was me, the doctor was Dr. Mazzola.
Dr. Mazzola has taken the time to help me to understand hydrocephalus and to answer my questions and manage this condition while living a full life. I schedule an annual appointment for check up and attend a support group sponsored by Dr. Mazzola three times a year, where I have shared experiences with others who live with shunts. Hydrocephalus has been scary for me, mostly because of what I did not know. Since 2007, I am much less afraid because I know that I am under the care of a skilled and compassionate surgeon and her staff. I consider myself very lucky to be treated by this practice.
- Nancy Hooper
Sudain Savoury of Bergenfield, age 12, wants to ride a bicycle and walk his mom down the aisle when she gets married this summer. Kenny Fdyfil of Jersey City, age 13, wants to walk without assistance and play basketball. Caroline Walsh of Wall, age 8, wants to open up her fist and throw things away all by herself. Kloye Chayka of Rutherford, age 4, wants to run and play without tumbling. These are big dreams for children with cerebral palsy -- big dreams that could become a reality due to today‟s advances in pediatric neurosurgery at Hackensack University Medical Center.
SDR is a surgical procedure performed in the lower back region by pediatric neurological surgeons to diminish spasticity in the lower limbs. Sensory nerve fibers, dorsal to the spinal cord, are identified and stimulated electrically. Fibers generating unusual electrical activity are selectively cut (rhizotomy) in order to improve muscle spasticity.
Using specific criteria, each child is evaluated by a highly skilled multidisciplinary team of specialists at Hackensack University Medical Center. An individualized treatment plan, inclusive of physical therapy and counseling, is selected and designed for the patient based on diagnosis.
Pediatric neurosurgeon, Catherine A. Mazzola, M.D., director of The Neuromuscular Center, a division of The Pediatric Neuroscience Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center, is the first to perform selective dorsal rhizotomies in the State of New Jersey. Dr. Mazzola also performs several types of innovative neurosurgery for spasticity relief. She is the physician treating Sudain, Kenny, Caroline, and Kloye.
"Kenny was diagnosed with moderate to severe spastic diplegia and underlying weakness. He used a walker at school and a wheelchair for long distances. Our team of specialists believed a selective dorsal rhizotomy would diminish his significant spasticity," said Dr. Mazzola. "Sudain was delayed in meeting most of his major milestones due to cerebral palsy. Though he didn‟t use a walker or crutches, his way of walking, his gait, was compromised and could be improved. We recommended the dorsal rhizotomy to control spasticity in both his lower extremities. I am delighted to say Kenny and Sudain had the surgery, each within one day of one another, and are doing very Pictured from left: Catherine A. Mazzola, M.D., director of The Neuromuscular Center, a division of The Pediatric Neuroscience Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center; Caroline Walsh of Wall, age 8; and father William Walsh. well," she reports.
Friendships developed rapidly between Sudain and Kenny as they spent more than six weeks as roommates during inpatient physical therapy. Their families became an instant support group during recovery. Each speaks highly of the decision to move forward with the SDR.
Kenny‟s sister, Nakita Fdyfil-Johnson and her husband, Gary, are in awe of his accomplishments. Nakita said, "Kenny‟s knees were always bent. He started collapsing in school – children assisted him from class to class. It would physically hurt Kenny to stand up." Gary added, "Since the surgery, his walk has changed so much and there‟s a big difference in his demeanor. It‟s amazing!"
"The day after Sudain‟s surgery, I could see the tightness already improved. Days after he returned home he was outside playing. Dr. Mazzola told us the dorsal rhizotomy would help him do the things he wanted to do. He‟s doing great," said his mother Feonia Joseph.
Both boys are marking personal milestones. "I sleep with my legs straight now. I could never do that before. The first day I got home from the hospital, I walked to the carnival with my mother (without crutches or a walker)," a proud Sudain reports.
"I sleep with my legs straight now, too. And when I sit up in bed, they‟re straight. When my cousin saw me for the first time, after I got out of the hospital, he couldn‟t believe how tall I am. He said, "You‟re taller than me!‟" beamed Kenny. He has also become less reliant on a walker since the surgery and tends to use it only when he‟s feeling tired or needs to take the stairs. Kloye Chayka of Rutherford, age 4 As each child‟s medical history is distinctive, other comprehensive treatment options are available for CP patients.
Kloye is diagnosed with a mild form of spastic cerebral palsy affecting her left side. Her mother, Michelle, shares, "Kloye, was a child who fisted a lot and was unable to open her left hand. She developed difficulty in walking, going up and down stairs, and began tripping and falling a lot." As part of her treatment, Kloye receives Botox injections every three to four months to reduce spasticity in all the muscles involved. Physical therapy, twice a week at the medical center and twice weekly at school, helps Kloye to strengthen and tone muscles she wasn‟t able to use before. "Kloye really improved very quickly after she began treatment with Dr. Mazzola. She uses her left hand now, no longer walks on her toes, rides a pedalo bicycle at physical therapy, and climbs stairs with greater ease," added Michelle.
Caroline‟s adoptive parents, Bill and Kim, were told by various medical specialists there was no hope for Caroline. They were told she would never progress due to a cocaine addiction started in her birth mother‟s womb coupled with a diagnosis of severe CP. Caroline‟s disorder claimed all her limbs. She was unable to walk, use her hands, or function without constant assistance. In fact, she was unable to sit up straight, as muscle contractions caused her to be almost completely folded over at the waist. In addition, her vocal cords were affected limiting communication and resulting in major cognitive skill delays.
Despite the news, her parents never gave up hope and looked for ways to improve Caroline‟s quality of life. They found support in Hackensack University Medical Center‟s team of physicians and readily took their advice when the team recommended Caroline try Baclofen Pump Therapy.
The Baclofen Pump is a neurosurgical technique used to reduce muscle contractions in people who suffer severe spasticity from CP, multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injury. The pump, surgically placed in the lower abdomen, acts like a medicine reservoir delivering baclofen directly to the spinal nerves to improve spasticity.
According to her parents, Caroline‟s life improved tremendously after Dr. Mazzola performed the procedure. Prior to surgery, Caroline wore leg braces and her toes were curled to the point she was unable to wear shoes or sneakers. Today, Caroline is wearing some great sneakers. She stands with assistance, sits upright, holds her own beverage or snack, motors around in her wheelchair, throws things away by herself, enjoys school, attends physical and speech therapy, and looks to the future with hope and confidence.
Dr. Mazzola encourages families of children with CP to contact The Pediatric Neurosciences Institute at the medical center, "We want people to know there are answers and options available to them. We have a team of specialists here at Hackensack University Medical Center dedicated and committed to improving the lives of children."
Sudain and Kenny offer their own advice to families of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
"Never give up hope," said Sudain. Kenny chimed in, "Yes, never give up hope. Go through with the surgery and let Dr. Mazzola do it."
Our family spent a great deal of time with Dr. Mazzola, Pam and the rest of the staff from the time our son Jed was seven weeks old until his surgery at eleven months old in 2008 for a tethered spinal cord repair. Jed (and his twin big brother, Luke) were born nearly seven weeks early with complications. Jed was our little guy at three pounds and both the neonatologists and our pediatrician, suspecting a spinal abnormality, sent us to Dr. Mazzola.
From the beginning, Dr. Mazzola was direct, informative and compassionate as she guided us through the plan for diagnosing and treating Jed. We needed to wait at least six months before we could definitively test him for Spina Bifida occulta, or a tethered spinal cord. During that time, Dr. Mazzola gave us invaluable advice and counsel that changed the course of our son’s development. When he was slow to develop early gross motor skills, she suggested physical therapy which had tremendous impact. When he showed signs of plagiocephaly she firmly recommended cranial remolding, which had beautiful results. All of these things ere stressful for me and Neil as first time parents of infant twins, but we trusted Dr. Mazzola’s recommendations that the outcomes for our child would be worth it...and they were.
When the day came for Dr. Mazzola to deliver the news confirming Jed’s diagnosis of a tethered spinal cord, she and Pam were calm, kind and informative in the face of my tears. In the days before the surgery, she spent a great deal of time with me and my husband answering the pages of questions I had prepared about the surgery with the same steady, confident and educational delivery. On the day of the surgery, she was present every step of the way, even calling me in the waiting room with an update. Every face she gave us about the surgery and recovery period was totally accurate. She made an otherwise nightmarish episode understandable and bearable.
Today, Jed is a healthy, happy three old who never stops moving and talking! He and his brother are the biggest blessings and loves of our lives. Neil and I are indebted to Dr. Mazzola and her team for changing the course of our child’s health and life in so many ways. As a mother herself I am sure Dr. Mazzola can understand how it is nearly impossible to articulate thanks to the person, who literally held your child’s life in her hands, but I am forever grateful; we all are.
- The Rohrbacker Family
Leslie, Neil, Luke and Jed
^
back to top
When somebody suggested to me to visit Dr. Mazzola, a pediatric neurosurgeon, at my age I thought they were kidding. But soon I found out that since my condition (Chiari Malformation) was mostly diagnosed in childhood, Dr. Mazzola was by far more experienced than adult neurosurgeons. She took the time to review my case, and to explain to me details on my condition. She discussed the best course to follow in very simple terms giving me a lot of confidence that I was in the best hands.
The day and time of the surgery came, two hours later I was awake and three days later I was home watching TV. Seven weeks later I was back at work. After years of intense headaches, they had become “normal”. Now, I finally know what normal is. I regained my life and I freed up so many hours, since I do not have to lay down often with pain, that now I even found energy and time to join the gym. Thank You Dr. Mazzola, words cannot express the gratitude for the new life that I have.
While all pediatric neurosurgeons are capable of removing a tumor from your child’s brain, Cathy Mazzola understands that quality of life is as important as saving a life.
My son, Justin is living proof of Cathy’s best work. He had a large infiltrated tumor in his cerebellum with more tumor along the main blood supply. The combination of her surgical expertise and instincts guided her through his surgery and I have the same little boy I had before he went into the operating room. He can run, swim, play sports and hug me goodnight.
With Cathy’s assistance, in seeking further treatment for Justin, she helped me through the difficult challenges of chemotherapy and MRI interpretations.
It has been three years since his surgery and Justin is at the top of his class. He is an amazing child who loves his Dr. Mazzola because from the very first time he met her, she treated him like he was her own. We love her, she is a remarkable surgeon!
Dr. Mazzola has not only transformed my life by making it possible for me to walk again but I have a quality of life that I thought I could never have.
In 2003 I suffered a severe brain aneurysm. I was left in a fetal position and could not move.
Dr. Mazzola told my parents about a Baclofen pump. I had the pump implanted and it has changed my life. Today I am walking unaided by a cane.
I am very happy! After six years I am getting to pump removed in May. Thank you Dr. Mazzola!
Our family crisis came on August 31, 2010, when our 14-year-old son, Austin, fell some fifty feet down a waterfall at Stokes State Park. He was unconscious and struggling to breath with blood streaming from his mouth, nose, and left ear, and as I held him on a rocky ledge I wondered how long it would take for ambulance crews to rescue us and take him to a hospital. A couple of hours later, when I met Dr. Catherine Mazzola in the emergency room at Goryeb Children’s Hospital, the first thing I noticed was her confidence. She explained Austin’s condition and the need for immediate surgery clearly, answered all our questions, and then went to save his life.
The surgery went very well. Days later, when he began emerging from a medically-induced coma, Dr. Mazzola helped us understand what was happening and counseled us through difficult decisions about medications, treatments, and rehabilitation. Austin continued to recover so well in in-patient rehabilitation that the hospital publicized his story in the media to promote greater awareness of traumatic brain injury and the importance of aggressive rehabilitation.
Dr. Mazzola also has excellent contacts. In a follow-up evaluation, she gave us a same-day referral to a renowned movement disorders specialist.
What most impresses me about Dr. Mazzola is her commitment. She is committed to advancing medical research and to developing and sharing vital information on how to best treat neurological conditions. The medical community’s understanding of neurology and the brain is changing rapidly, and it takes energetic, driven people like Dr. Mazzola to stay on top of cutting-edge research while delivering focused and attentive patient treatment with a human touch.
I am endlessly thankful to Dr. Mazzola for our son’s life and for setting him on the road to recovery.
We would recommend Dr. Mazzola to any family whose child requires a neurosurgeon. Not only is she a gifted surgeon; she is also a compassionate person who understands the emotional turmoil families are going through.
In 2008, our 12-year-old daughter underwent two surgeries to remove a brain tumor. Dr. Mazzola kept us informed throughout the entire ordeal, explaining the type of tumor our daughter had, her prognosis and what to expect during surgery. She made herself available to us – answering our questions honestly and thoroughly, and returned our phone calls as quickly as possible.
We especially liked how Dr. Mazzola explained everything to our daughter; answering her questions and dealing with any concerns she had. This also allowed our daughter to concentrate on healing after surgery.
We will always be grateful to Dr. Mazzola for healing our daughter!
Shaelynn was born into the foster care system to a mother who had no prenatal care during her pregnancy she was exposed to illegal drugs while her mom was pregnant with her. We have had her since she was 9 days old and we have officially adopted her. Shaelynn was born with Agenisis of the Corpus Callosum, she is microcephalic and has two cysts on her brain along with holoprosencephaly. Shaelynn continues to be a very medically involved child and continues to thrive with all the great medical care that she receives. Our family would like to thank Dr. Mazzola for being such a supportive and caring doctor to our daughter Shaelynn Nicole Todd.
Good evening. My name is Rosalia,
this is my husband Alex, and our daughter Chloe Grace. Chloe Grace was born in April with
Spina Bifida, Myelomeningocele, Chiari Malformation Type II, Hydrocephalus, and
Bi-Lateral Clubbed feet.
I first met Dr. Mazzola in January for a consultation after my 20 week
ultrasound confirmed Chloe Grace would be born with special needs. The information was overwhelming but
Dr. Mazzola’s presentation of the diagnosis and plan of care was very thorough
and she demonstrated such optimism and compassion. I had a list of questions and she was
patient to answer them all sometimes even having to repeat herself, because I
was so emotional. I left her office
that day confident that I had the best neurosurgeon for our daughter and was
reassured by her intellect and kindness.
Chloe Grace was born via c-section, 38 weeks gestation, and she was less than 24
hours old when Dr. Mazzola performed neurosurgery to repair the myelomeningocele
and shunt the hydrocephalus. The
procedures were successful and Chloe Grace has healed beautifully.
Overnight this relationship with Dr. Mazzola was formed and has become one of
the most important in our lives, especially Chloe Grace’s. We are very grateful to have such a
gifted neurosurgeon on Chloe Grace’s team of doctors as well as a compassionate
human being. Her expertise and
capabilities precedes her and she is detailed and a leader among her peers. We cannot imagine Chloe Grace’s care
having been in any other neurosurgeon’s hands.
In all of Chloe Grace’s office visits Dr. Mazzola always takes the time after
examining Chloe Grace to pick her up and hug her and play with her, in those
moments, without words, I know their hearts are talking.