Provider Quality

Provider-Quality

To ensure a continued focus on quality, Fidelis Care is dedicated to engaging with providers to ensure our members get the best care possible. Quality is a critical component of the work we do at Fidelis Care. The Provider Relations Department works diligently to support providers in quality improvement initiatives.

Hearthands

If you have any questions, please contact your Quality Improvement Specialist.

Quality Improvement Specialists

NYC Region:

Name	Coverage Area	Assigned Counties and/or Providers
Brianni Blue Loftlin ✉ Email Address	Brooklyn County: 11201, 11203, 11205, 11206, 11207, 11212, 11217, 11211, 11213, 11221, 11226, 11220, 11237, 11238, 11239, 11243, 11249	Brooklyn County
Yen Min Yau ✉ Email Address	ZIP Codes: 11220, 11204, 11214, 11229	Kings County Providers: CAIPA & Excelsior Empire Health Brooklyn Providers
Zinaida Khavasova ✉ Email Address	Kings County: 11219, 11223, 11224, 11229, 11235, 11230, 11204, 11209, 11214, 11228, 11232, 11210,11239, 11218	Kings County Providers: Maimonides, One Brooklyn Health System: (Interfaith, Brookdale and Kingsbrook)
Michael Gayle ✉ Email Address	All ZIP Codes in the Bronx except for providers/groups assigned to an IPA (Balance, Bronx United)	Bronx County Providers: Boston Children's Health Physicians (Westchester County), Northwell (All Affiliated TINs)
Stanley Laforest ✉ Email Address	ZIP Codes: 10003, 10004, 10005, 10006, 10007, 10009, 10010, 10011, 10012, 10014, 10016, 10017, 10018, 10019, 10020, 10021, 10022, 10023, 10024, 10025, 10026, 10027, 10029, 10030, 10031, 10032, 10033, 10034, 10035, 10036, 10038, 10039, 10040, 10041, 10044, 10047, 10048, 10128	Various Counties
Adebunmi (Bunmi) Browne ✉ Email Address	Various ZIP Codes	Providers: Balance Medical IPA
Osaruyi Eduwen ✉ Email Address	Queens County ZIP Codes: 11101, 11102, 11103, 11104, 11105, 11106, 11368, 11369, 11370, 11371, 11372, 11373, 11374, 11375, 11377, 11378, 11379, 11385	Queens County
Rui Kang (Ray) Lin ✉ Email Address	Queens County ZIP Codes: 111354, 11355	Queens County Providers: CAIPA & Excelsior Empire Health Queens Provider
Rosemond Guillaume ✉ Email Address	ZIP Codes: 11365, 11366, 11367, 11411, 11412, 11413, 11414, 11415, 11421, 11422, 11430, 11433, 11434, 11435; 11416, 11417, 11419, 11420, 11423, 11426, 11427, 11428, 11429, 11432, 11418, 11436, 11691, 11692, 11693, 11694, 11697	Various Counties
Taylor Panzarella ✉ Email Address	Rockland and Westchester Counties: 10977, 10952, 10956, 10901, 10954, 10965, 10980, 10970, 10960, 10989, 10927, 10994, 10923, 10920, 10962, 10983, 10913, 10993, 10974, 10984, 10986, 10968, 10964, 10976, 10931, 10911, 10982, 10701, 10801, 10573, 10705, 10583, 10550, 10704, 10562, 10598, 10710, 10558, 10566, 10557, 10708, 10552, 10703, 10567, 10605, 10543, 10591, 10603, 10805, 10549, 10580, 10804, 10538, 10606, 10528, 10514, 10530, 10803, 10604, 10553, 10570, 10536, 10601, 10520, 10707, 10522, 10523, 10595, 10510, 10709	Rockland and Westchester County
Haneefah Mahdi ✉ Email Address	Richmond County ZIP Codes: 10301, 10302, 10303, 10304, 10305, 10304, 10305, 10306, 10307, 10308, 10309, 10310, 10311, 10312, 10313, 10314	Richmond County Providers: Amboy Medical Practice, Bon Secours, NYC Health & Hospitals, Refuah Health Center
Leidy Mejia ✉ Email Address	Nassau County ZIP Codes: 11096, 11509, 11510, 11516, 11518, 11520, 11550, 11552, 11553, 11554, 11555, 11557, 11558, 11559, 11563, 11565, 11566, 11570, 11572, 11575, 11580, 11581, 11598, 11709, 11710, 11756, 11758, 11762, 11783, 11793,11001, 11020, 11021, 11023, 11024, 11030, 11040, 11042, 11050, 11501, 11507, 11514, 11530, 11542, 11545, 11548, 11560, 11568, 11576, 11577, 11579, 11590, 11596, 11714, 11732, 11735, 11753, 11771, 11791, 11797, 11801	Nassau County
Robert Dean ✉ Email Address	Suffolk County ZIP Codes: 11720, 11721, 11724, 11725,11729;11731, 11733, 11738, 11740, 11741, 11742, 11743, 11746, 11747, 11754, 11757, 11763, 11764, 11766, 11768, 11769, 11776, 11777, 11778, 11780, 11782, 11784, 11786, 11787, 11788, 11790, 11794, 11901, 11930, 11931, 11933, 11934, 11935, 11937, 11939, 11940, 11941, 11942, 11944, 11946, 11948, 11949, 11950, 11951, 11952, 11953, 11954, 11701, 11702, 11703, 11704, 11705, 11706, 11707, 11708, 11709, 11713, 11715, 11716, 11717, 11718, 11722, 11727, 11750, 11751, 11752, 11755, 11767, 11772, 11779, 11789, 11792, 11795, 11796, 11798, 11955, 11957, 11958, 11959, 11961, 11962, 11963, 11964, 11965, 11967, 11968, 11970, 11971, 11975, 11976, 11977, 11978, 11980	Suffolk County
Kay Stewart-Benjamin ✉ Email Address	Kings County: 11238, 11212, 11234, 11236	Kings County Providers: NYU and Affiliates, NYPHS and Affiliates, Mount Sinai and Affiliates
Nadia Oleniak ✉ Email Address	ZIP Codes: 02886, 06484, 06518, 07020, 10002, 10003, 10006, 10007, 10010, 10013, 10016, 10017, 10019, 10027, 10023, 10025, 10029, 10032, 10034, 10036, 10037, 10075, 0301, 10304, 10305, 10312, 10451, 10452, 10455, 10457, 10458, 10459, 10461, 10462, 10463, 10464, 10466, 10469, 10508, 10523, 10604, 10952, 11042, 11102, 11103, 11104, 11203, 11204, 11206, 11207, 11208, 11209, 11210, 11212, 11213, 11214, 11215, 11216, 11218, 11219, 11220, 11223, 11224, 11226, 11228, 11229, 11230, 11234, 11235, 11236, 11237, 11238, 11354, 11355, 11358, 11360, 11361, 11362, 11364, 11365, 11368, 11372, 11373, 11374, 11375, 11377, 11385, 11411, 11416, 11418, 11419, 11423, 11427, 11432, 11435, 11436, 11691, 11772, 11940	Various Counties
Steven Lee ✉ Email Address	ZIP Codes: 10002, 10013, 10314	Counties: Manhattan, Richmond Providers: Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, CAIPA Manhattan Providers, Excelsior Empire Health Manhattan Providers, CAIPA Staten Island Providers

Upstate Regions:

Name	Coverage Area	Assigned Counties and/or Providers
Jane Sanderson ✉ Email Address	Rensselaer County: 12180, 12144, 12182, 12061, 12033, 12198, 12090, 12179, 12018, 12123, 12196, 12154, 12138, 12121, 12094, 12185, 12168, 12062, 12052, 12156, 12140, 12153, 12028 ,12057, 12022 12169, 12063, 12082, 12181, 12089, 12133, 12040 Saratoga County: 12065, 12866, 12020, 12010, 12831, 12118, 12019, 12188, 12828, 12803, 12148, 12822, 12170, 12871, 12025, 12833, 12134, 12027, 12850, 12074,12859, 12835, 12151, 12863, 12086, 12884 Schenectady County: 12008, 12053, 12056, 12137 , 12141, 12150 , 12301, 12302, 12303, 12304, 12305 , 12306 ,12307,12308, 12309, 12325, 12345 Washington County: 12839, 12828, 12834, 12832, 12887, 12827, 12816, 12865, 12809, 12154, 12094, 12821, 12185, 12028, 12057, 12837, 12873, 12861, 12819, 12823, 12838, 12849, 12841, 12844, 12848, 12854	Counties: Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Washington
Barbara Bentley-Morrill ✉ Email Address	Albany County: 12309, 12203, 12205, 12303, 12047, 12208, 12304, 12110, 12189, 12054, 12206, 12211, 12210, 12209, 12009, 12202, 12159, 12204, 12077, 12158, 12186, 12143, 12084, 12053, 12083, 12111, 12183, 12262, 12222, 12023, 12067, 12207, 12193, 12059, 12087, 12469, 12046, 12120, 12147, 12226, 12460, 12041, 12234, 12085, 12007, 12201, 12212, 12214, 12220, 12223, 12224, 12225, 12227, 12228, 12229, 12230, 12231, 12232, 12233, 12235, 12236, 12237, 12238, 12239, 12240, 12241, 12242, 12243, 12244, 12245, 12246, 12247, 12248, 12249, 12250, 12255, 12257, 12260, 12261, 12288, 12107, 12128, 12161, 12045, 12055 Clinton County: 12901, 12972, 12962, 12918, 12992, 12919, 12944 12981, 12910, 12958, 12921, 12935, 12912, 12903 ,12979, 12929 ,12959, 12985, 12934, 12923, 12955, 12952, 12911, 12924, 12978, 12933 Columbia County: 12534, 12571, 12184, 12526, 12037, 12075, 12546, 12106, 12529, 12583, 12567, 12060, 12173, 12516, 12521, 12523, 12156, 12125, 12029, 12502, 12136, 12565, 12503, 12017, 12130, 12513, 12517, 12115, 12024, 12165, 12132, 12593, 12174, 12530, 12195, 12172, 12050, 12541, 12544 Essex County: 12983, 12946, 12883, 12944, 12928, 12912, 12870, 12941, 12960, 12974, 12996, 12932, 12997, 12993, 12943, 12950, 12851, 12936, 12987, 12913, 12956, 12857, 12852, 12942, 12998, 12964, 12961, 12855, 12858, 12975, 12977, 12872, 12879 Franklin County: 12953, 12983, 12986, 12966, 13655, 12920, 12926, 12916, 12957, 12937, 12917, 12980, 12989, 12914, 12970, 12945, 12930, 12976, 12913, 12955, 12969, 12995, 12915, 12939, 13683 Greene County: 12414, 12051, 12143, 12083, 12015, 12413, 12192, 12496, 12058, 12463, 12431, 12468, 12451, 12087, 12430, 12423, 12473, 12427, 12436, 12442, 12405, 12480, 12418, 12470, 12424, 12450, 12444, 12485, 12492, 12482, 12422, 12454, 12407, 12460, 12042, 12176, 12439, 12490, 12452, 12124 Warren County: 12804, 12801, 12845, 12885, 12846, 12817, 12853, 12814, 12856, 12843, 12815, 12824, 12878, 12808, 12836, 12810, 12860, 12874, 12844, 12862, 12886, 12811, 12820	Counties: Albany, Clinton, Essex, Columbia, Greene, Warren Providers: All Vermont Providers, Silver Springs Health Care Management, Saratoga Regional Medical, Twin River Medical
Jaime Laube ✉ Email Address	Orange County: 10950, 12550, 10940, 12553, 10990, 12589, 10941, 10924, 12771, 10918, 12566, 12549, 10980, 12586, 10930, 10992, 10928, 12721, 12518, 10963, 10916, 10998, 10921, 10987, 10925, 12575, 10958, 10926, 12577, 12780, 12520, 10973, 10986, 12729, 12746, 12543, 10969, 10996, 10917, 10919, 10975, 10914, 10922, 10933, 12785, 10911, 10943, 10985, 10910, 10912, 10915, 10932, 10949, 10953, 10959, 10979, 10981, 10988, 10997, 12551, 12552, 12555, 12584 Putnam County: 10541, 10512, 10509, 12563, 10579, 10516, 10524, 12531, 10588, 10537, 10542 Sullivan County: 12701, 12721, 12754, 12790, 12758, 12788, 12747, 12776, 12783, 12775, 12764, 12723, 12789, 12729, 12768, 12740, 12748, 12737, 12779, 12763, 12734, 12726, 12719, 12733, 12759, 12732, 12777, 12765, 12751, 12760, 12762, 12786, 12725, 12766, 12742, 12743, 12770, 12785, 12778, 12741, 12720, 12745, 12738, 12750, 12724, 12749, 12736, 12769, 12787, 12791, 12792, 12752, 12767, 12781, 12784, 12722, 12727 Ultser County: 12401, 12477, 12561, 12589, 12528, 12566, 12428, 12446, 12542, 12758, 12443, 12487, 12498, 12404, 12525, 12547, 12449, 12484, 12466, 12458, 12548, 12455, 12440, 12491, 12461, 12740, 12486, 12515, 12409, 12494, 12472, 12464, 12406, 12481, 12410, 12480, 12456, 12457, 12433, 12725, 12411, 12419, 12435, 12495, 12416, 12412, 12448, 12475, 12429, 12465, 12493, 12490, 12471, 12441, 12489, 12483, 12782, 12402, 12417, 12420, 12432, 12453, 12568, 12588	Counties: Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, Ulster Providers: Hudson Valley Regional Community Health
Penny Patterelli ✉ Email Address	Oneida County: 13440, 13501, 13502, 13413, 13421, 13323, 13492, 13403, 13316, 13309, 13308, 13354, 13476, 13478, 13480, 13456, 13438, 13495, 13471, 13461, 13042, 13424, 13417, 13363, 13318, 13425, 13490, 13431, 13054, 13304, 13477, 13338, 13328, 13303, 13322, 13321, 13486, 13441, 13469, 13319, 13494, 13440, 13501, 13502, 13413, 13421, 13323, 13492, 13403, 13316, 13309, 13308, 13354, 13476, 13478, 13480, 13456, 13438, 13495, 13471, 13461, 13042, 13424, 13417, 13363, 13318, 13425, 13490, 13431, 13054, 13304, 13477, 13338, 13328, 13303, 13322, 13321, 13486, 13441, 13469, 13319, 13494, 13483, 13157, 13455, 13352, 13162, 13301, 13435, 13341, 13362, 13401, 13313, 13123, 13442, 13449, 13479, 13503, 13504, 13505, 13599 Otsego County: 13820, 13326, 13849, 13439, 13491, 13411, 13825, 12197, 13843, 13320, 12155, 13809, 13807, 13810, 13335, 13315, 13808, 13750, 12116, 13485, 13348, 13796, 13361, 13337, 13468, 13861, 12064, 13776, 13450, 12036, 13342, 13333, 13415, 13488, 13859, 13860, 13457, 13482, 13747, 13834 Schoharie County: 12043, 12053, 12122, 12157, 12149, 12023, 13459, 12066, 12093, 12167, 12092, 12076, 12469, 12160, 12187, 12175, 12035, 12064, 12031, 12036, 12194, 12071, 12131, 12073	Counties: Oneida, Otsego, Schoharie
Jeannie Vanhoeven ✉ Email Address	Fulton County: 12010, 12078, 12095, 12025, 13452, 13329, 12117, 12070, 12032, 12086, 13470 Hamilton County: 12134, 13324, 12842, 13454, 12856, 12032, 12108, 12847, 12190, 13360, 12139, 13436, 12812, 12164, 13353, 12864 Montgomery County: 12010, 13339, 13452, 13317, 12068, 12072, 12070, 12066, 12166, 12137, 13428, 12086, 12177, 13410, 12069, 12016 Saint Lawrence County: 13662, 13676, 13669, 13617, 13642, 12986, 13667, 13668, 13658, 13646, 13613, 13654, 13697, 13625, 13648, 13679, 13660, 13652, 13630, 13684, 13694, 13680, 13681, 12980, 13621, 12967, 13635, 12914, 13690, 13687, 13672, 13670, 13633, 12927, 12965, 13614, 13666, 13695, 13664, 12922, 13639, 12973, 13649, 12949, 13623, 13645, 13647, 13677, 13678, 13696, 13699 Herkimer County: 13502, 13350, 13357, 13367, 13365, 13340, 13339, 13407, 13439, 13329, 13456, 13491, 13438, 13416, 13324, 13431, 13338, 13322, 13454, 13420, 13361, 13690, 13670, 13494, 13406, 13472, 13331, 13475	Counties: Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saint Lawrence, Herkimer Providers: Bernadot Pediatrics, Whitney M Young Health, Northern Medical Group, Nuvance Health Medical Practice, St Regis Mohawk Tribe
Sarah Freyer ✉ Email Address	Broome County: 13760, 13850, 13905, 13790, 13903, 13901, 13904, 13865, 13803, 13862, 13833, 13748, 13787, 13795, 13746, 13754, 13730, 13797, 13835, 13813, 13744, 13802, 13777, 13737, 13745, 13749, 13761, 13762, 13763, 13794, 13826, 13848, 13851, 13902 Chenango County: 13815, 13778, 13830, 13733, 13460, 13787, 13411, 13746, 13040, 13730, 13332, 13843, 13809, 13052, 13464, 13813, 13072, 13801, 13844, 13780, 13129, 13832, 13155, 13136, 13841, 13758, 13124, 13814 Delaware County: 13820, 13856, 13753, 13849, 13838, 13754, 13783, 12776, 12455, 12093, 13775, 12167, 13788, 12474, 13750, 13839, 12468, 13757, 13752, 13739, 12406, 12430, 13731, 13782, 13755, 13842, 12760, 13756, 13740, 12421, 13846, 13786, 12465, 13804, 13806, 12438, 13751, 12434, 13837, 13774, 13860, 12459, 13847 Madison County: 13032, 13421, 13037, 13035, 13346, 13082, 13491, 13408, 13030, 13409, 13332, 13402, 13334, 13355, 13052, 13485, 13072, 13061, 13122, 13310, 13418, 13163, 13314, 13364, 13043, 13134, 13465, 13484 Dutchess County: 12603, 12601, 12590, 12533, 12508, 12524, 12538, 12569, 12571, 12572, 12540, 12564, 12570, 12582, 12522, 12545, 12580, 12531, 12594, 12546, 12581, 12514, 12501, 12583, 12578, 12567, 12592, 12585, 12507, 12604, 12574, 12602, 12504, 12506, 12510, 12511, 12512, 12527, 12537	Counties: Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Madison, Dutchess Providers: Columbia Family Medience Clinic, Kudos Medical, Oneida Nation Health Services
Maureen Hudson ✉ Email Address	Erie County ZIP Codes: 14004, 14026, 14031, 14043, 14051, 14059, 14086, 14094, 14202, 14203, 14206, 14209, 14212, 14214, 14215, 14216, 14217, 14220, 14225, 14226	Counties: Erie, Niagara Providers: Mount St. Mary's Hospital, Primary Care of WNY, Sisters Hospital, Trinity Medical WNY, WNY Medical
Christine Santiago ✉ Email Address	Allegany County: 14706, 14709, 14711, 14715, 14727, 14802, 14803, 14804, 14806, 14813, 14822, 14880, 14884, 14895 Cattaraugus County: 14042, 14070, 14101, 14138, 14171, 14706, 14723, 14727, 14731, 14737, 14760, 14772, 14779 Chautauqua County: 14701, 14702, 14048, 14063, 14136, 14787 Steuben County: 14572, 14810, 14898	Counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara, Steuben Providers: Family Health Medical Services, Great Lakes Physician Practice, Jamestown Pediatrics, Jones Memorial, Keuka Family Practice, UPMC
Christine Jendraszek ✉ Email Address	Various	Counties: Monroe, Orleans, Niagara Providers: Anthony Jordan, Erie County Medical Corporation, Kaleida Health, Oak Orchard, Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital, Paul DeJac
Robert Chantra ✉ Email Address	Ontario County: 14424, 14456, 14564, 14425, 14522, 14469, 14432, 14487, 14548, 14512, 14532, 14485, 14561, 14471, 14560, 14544, 14466, 14504, 14475, 14537, 14585, 14461, 14463, 14518, 14443, 14453, 14547	Counties: Monroe and Ontario Providers: Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Canton-Potsdam Medical Practice, Gouverneur Hospital, GRIPA, Guthrie Medical Group, Massena Hospital, St Lawrence Health Systems, Strong/University of Rochester
Nicole Lloyd ✉ Email Address	Cayuga County: 13021, 13022, 13024, 13026, 13033, 13034, 13064, 13071, 13081, 13092, 13111, 13113, 13117, 13118, 13139, 13140, 13147, 13156, 13160 and 13166 Chemung County: 14814, 14816, 14825, 14838, 14845, 14861, 14864, 14871, 14872, 14889, 14894, 14901, 14902, 14903, 14904 and 14905 Jefferson County: 13601, 13602, 13603, 13605, 13606, 13607, 13608, 13611, 13612, 13615, 13616, 13618, 13619, 13622, 13624, 13628, 13632, 13634, 13636, 13637, 13638, 13640, 13641, 13643, 13650, 13651, 13656, 13659, 13661, 13665, 13671, 13673, 13674, 13675, 13679, 13682, 13685, 13691, 13692 and 13693 Lewis County: 13305, 13309, 13312, 13325, 13327, 13343, 13345, 13367, 13368, 13404, 13433, 13473, 13489, 13620, 13626, 13627, 13631, 13648 Schuyler County: 14886, 14837, 14891, 14812, 14865, 14818, 14864, 14869, 14878, 14824, 14805, 14841, 14815, 14876, 14887, 14863 Seneca County: 14850, 14456, 13165, 13148, 14886, 14532, 14521, 13146, 14847, 14541, 14860, 14841, 13065, 14588 Yates County: 14415, 14418, 14441, 14478, 14507, 14527, 14544, 14837, 14842, 14857 and 14878	Counties: Cayuga, Chemung, Jefferson, Lewis, Schuyler, Seneca and Yates Providers: Lewis County General Hospital, Arnot Ogden, Arnot Medical Services, Auburn Community Hospital and Auburn Memorial Medical Services, Finger Lakes Migrant
Karen Yonkers-Santy ✉ Email Address	Cortland County: 13045, 13077, 13159, 13803, 13053, 13040, 13101, 13835, 13052, 13158, 13141, 13863, 13841, 13087, 13738, 13056, 13784 Oswego County: 13126, 13069, 13036, 13114, 13142, 13135, 13074, 13167, 13132, 13131, 13044, 13042, 13493, 13076, 13111, 13083, 13661, 13302, 13145, 13144, 13028, 13437, 13103, 13426, 13093, 13107, 13115, 13121 Tioga County: 13760, 13827, 14892, 13732, 13811, 14883, 13743, 13812, 13736, 13734, 13835, 13864, 14859, 13840, 13845 Tompkins County: 14850, 13068, 14886, 13073, 14867, 13053, 14883, 14882, 13736, 14817, 13864, 14853, 14881, 14852, 13062, 13102, 14851, 14854	Counties: Cortland, Oswego, Tioga, Tompkins Providers: Family Health Network of CNY, Northern Oswego County Health Services Inc., Oswego County OB-GYN
Peter Stone ✉ Email Address	Onondaga County: 13027, 13090, 13210, 13208, 13212, 13088, 13204, 13039, 13203, 13205, 13206, 13031, 13104, 13057, 13219, 13215, 13207, 13041, 13066, 13209, 13078, 13260, 13224, 13152, 13214, 13029, 13202, 13077, 13108, 13211, 13135, 13159, 13084, 13082, 13080, 13120, 13030, 13116, 13110, 13164, 13060, 13063, 13112, 13141, 13122, 13020, 13153, 13201, 13217, 13218, 13220, 13221, 13225, 13235, 13244, 13250, 13251, 13252, 13261, 13290, 13051, 13089, 13119, 13137, 13138	Onondaga County Providers: Brighton Hill Pediatrics, Buckley Road Pediatrics, Camillus Family Health Associates, Crouse Medical Practice, Department of Medicine, Family Care Medical Group, Lyndon Pediatrics, Pediatric Service Group, Pediatric Associates, Summerwood Pediatrics, Trinity Partners including: St Joseph Hospital Health Center, St Josephs Medical PC, St Peters Health Partners, St Peters Health Partners Medical Associates, Samaritan Hospital of Troy, Upstate Family and Preventative Medicine
Marissa Harvey ✉ Email Address	Main Street Rural Health, Providers Only	All providers regardless of county that are part of Main Street Rural Health
Abenaa Danquah ✉ Email Address	Erie County: 14026, 14031, 14051, 14059, 14086, 14202, 14203, 14206, 14209, 14212, 14215, 14217, 14224, 14225 and 14226	Select providers in all of the following counties: Monroe, Cattaraugus, Chautuaqua, Erie, Niagara, Onondaga, Steuben, Schuyler, Tompkins, and Wyoming Providers: Alicia W Hermogenes, MD, PC, Allegany Family Medicine, Bohdan Dejneka, MD dba Holiday Pediatrics, Danilo Saldana, Denise C Wolken, MD, PLLC, Eastside Pediatrics, PLLC, Edward OBrien III, MD, Erie County Health Dept/ECHD Accounting Office, Family Practice Associates of Dryden, Finger Lakes Internists, LLP, Intention Internal Medicine, J&E Medical Specialties, PC, Jones Medical, PLLC dba: Syracuse Pediatrics, Mendon Pediatrics, PLLC, Michael Cilip, MD, Northeast Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, LLP, Patchwork Pediatrics, Philip Penepent, Phillip M Schirck, MD, PLLC, Phoenix Rising Medical, PC, Reach Medical PLLC, South Street Health Services Family Health & Psychiatry

Provider Quality News

Tips to Help Parents with the Nationwide Shortage of Infant Formulas

5/17/2022 • Posted by Dr. Lisa Moreno, Medical Director at Fidelis Care in Children's Health, Health and Wellness, In The Community

Fidelis-Care-Sponsorships-Partner

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 1 in 4 parents exclusively breastfeed their children up to the age of 6 months, leaving the majority of parents and caregivers at least partially dependent on formula.

With the current shortages of infant formulas, it is important to know there are resources available to help parents with feeding babies that are not exclusively breastfed. The shortages have been largely caused by supply chain issues and a recall from February 2021 after four babies developed bacterial infections from consuming several infant formulas.

Pediatrician and Fidelis Care Medical Director, Dr. Lisa Moreno, offers the following tips for families that may be facing a limited supply of formula for their baby.

WHAT TO DO:

Talk with your pediatrician and ask if they can get the infant formula from the local brand representatives or a local charity organization. Your local WIC office may also be able to suggest places to look.
Check smaller stores and local community pharmacies, which may not be out of supply when the bigger stores are.
If you can afford it, buy formula online until store shortages ease. Purchase from well-recognized distributors and pharmacies rather than individually sold or auction sites. Do not import formula from overseas, since imported formula is not FDA-reviewed.
For most babies, it is OK to switch to any available formula, including generic store brands, unless your baby is on a specific extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid-based formula. Ask your pediatrician about recommended specialty formula alternatives available for your baby.
When switching to appropriate formula substitutes, give your baby time to adjust to a new formula. It is normal for babies to be fussy or gassy at first.
Check social media groups. There are groups dedicated to infant feeding and parenting, and members may have ideas for where to find formula. Make sure to check any advice with your pediatrician

WHAT NOT TO DO:

Do not make a homemade formula. This is not safe for your baby as there are specific nutritional needs for an infant. Laws and other government rules make sure that all infant formula sold in stores meets very strict rules about their ingredients, to make sure it supports healthy growth and development.
Do not switch to cow’s milk or other milk substitutes from the dairy section of the grocery store, such as almond or soy beverages (sometimes labeled as milk) for babies less than 12 months of age.
Do not use imported formulas from other countries that are not reviewed by the FDA.
Do not water down formulas. This includes adding more water when mixing powdered formula or adding extra water to ready-to-serve, non-concentrated liquid formula. This affects the nutrition your baby is getting.
Do not purchase expired or damaged cans. Check expiration dates.
Do not use toddler formulas for babies less than 12 months old as there are different nutritional needs and toddler formulas do not need to be reviewed by the FDA.

AAP UPDATE WITH INFANT FORMULA SHORTAGE

Given the recent baby formula shortage, the Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), has provided some new revised recommendations.

Cow’s milk is a temporary option of older infants as long as they are not on specialty formula. It is noted that although cow’s milk formula is not ideal, it is a better option than diluting formula or trying to make it at home. If cow’s milk is to be used, the AAP states that it should be limited to 24 ounces per day. This is not ideal and should not become routine.
Toddler formulas can be substituted for a few days for infants closer to 1 year of age.
Formulas designed for babies who were born premature (and have "catch-up" growth to do) can safely be used for a few weeks to feed full-term babies if nothing else is available.

Remember to always contact your pediatrician if you have any questions about your child’s nutrition.

References

Helpful Links

Listing of Local Agencies Providing WIC Services By NYS County

https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic/local_agencies.htm

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

https://www.hhs.gov/formula/index.html

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/fda-investigation-cronobacter-infections-powdered-infant-formula-february-2022

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-parents-and-caregivers-not-make-or-feed-homemade-infant-formula-infants

WIC Vendors in NY State

https://nyswicvendors.com/vma-locations/

https://nyswicvendors.com/find-a-wic-store/

https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic/docs/infant_formular_supplier_list.pdf

https://nyswicvendors.com/vendor-communications/

https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/wic/local_agencies.htm

Similac Recall Product Lookup

https://www.similacrecall.com/us/en/product-lookup.html

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