In recognition of Women’s History Month, female providers and staff at Mass General for Children are sharing the ways that women have made an impact on the field of health care, science and medicine. In this series, learn what they love about their roles and how you can encourage more women and girls to pursue a career in science and medicine.

Suzanne BoxerSuzanne Boxer, MD

Suzanne Boxer, MD, is a pediatrician in Pediatric Primary Care at the MGH Revere Health Care Center. A mentorship from a female doctor at a small-town doctor’s office – aptly named “The Pink House” – serves as the inspiration for the relationship she develops with her patients, trainees and colleagues.

Kristina DeltufoKristina Deltufo, RN

Kristina Deltufo, RN, is nurse in the Pediatric Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management Program at Mass General for Children. Seeing children in pain is difficult, but Deltufo loves her job as a nurse to help them feel better.

Alison FriedmannAlison Friedmann, MD, MSc

Alison Friedman, MD, MSc, is the director of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Mass General for Children. Developing a close relationship with her patients and their families through a challenging diagnosis and balancing motherhood with a career in medicine are the most rewarding aspects of her work.

Lauren FiechtnerLauren Fiechtner, MD, MPH

Lauren Fiechter, MD, MPH, is the director of the Center for Pediatric Nutrition in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at Mass General for Children. Her parents made sure she felt like she could pursue whatever career she wanted and that is an essential lesson to pass onto future generations.

Kriston GanguliKriston Ganguli, MD

Kriston Ganguli, MD, is the associate fellowship director and quality champion in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. Her day-to-day life is full of variety, from clinical care to research to training the next generation of doctors during their fellowship years.

Paula GoldenbergPaula Goldenberg, MD, MSW, MScE

Paula Goldenberg, MD, MSW, MScE, is the director of the New England Regional Center for Chromosome 22, the Stickler/Marshall Syndrome Clinic and the Prenatal Genetics Program at Mass General for Children and Massachusetts General Hospital. An unexpected diagnosis when her son was born inspired her pursue a career in medical genetics.

Caren HarrisCaren Harris, MSN, CNP

Caren Harris, MSN, CNP, is a nurse practitioner in Pediatric Surgery and program manager for the Pediatric Trauma Service. In order to reach equality, Harris says recognizing the accomplishments of all women can help move society toward a place where gender is no longer an issue.

Esther IsraelEsther Israel, MD

Esther Israel, MD, is the associate unit chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition and the quality chair in Pediatrics at Mass General for Children. She is also the chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Nutrition at MassGeneral for Children at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. In her career as a doctor, it is important to belong to a close-knit community that values compassion, high-quality care and work-life balance.

J. Heidi JuppJ. Heidi Jupp, RN, CPHON

J. Heidi Jupp, RN, is a nurse in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Mass General for Children. Her mother was a pediatric nurse whose straightforward and compassionate approach to life and patient care inspired Jupp to pursue her own career in nursing.

Beverly LaVallyBeverly LaVally, RN, MS

Beverly LaValley, RN, MS, is a clinical nurse specialist in the Pediatric Brain Tumor Program at Mass General for Children. The best part of her job is caring for patients and families, even if much of her job occurs behind-the-scenes.

Maureen LeonardMaureen Leonard, MD, MMSc

Maureen Leonard, MD, MMSc, is the clinical director of the Center for Celiac Research and Treatment and co-investigator of the CDGEMM study at Mass General for Children. For Leonard, creating a fulfilling career and personal life means following whatever drives you closer to your passion.

Lynne LevitskyLynne Levitsky, MD

Lynne Levitsky, MD, is the chief emeritus of Pediatric Endocrinology at Mass General for Children. She comes from a long lineage of strong women who led independent work lives driven by a deep sense of empowerment and a passion for gender equality.

Angela LinAngela Lin, MD

Angela Lin, MD, is the co-director of the MGH Turner Syndrome Clinic, the MGH HHT Center of Excellence and the Myhre Syndrome Clinic. She considers her early exposure to medicine – through her father, also a physician – and complete support and confidence from her family the greatest gift.

Madhusmita MisraMadhusmita Misra, MD

Madhusmita Misra, MD, is the chief of Pediatric Endocrinology at Mass General for Children. Balancing motherhood with a career in medicine has been one of her greatest and most rewarding challenges.

Elahna PaulElahna Paul, MD, PhD

Elahna Paul, MD, PhD, is the medical director of the Kidney Transplant Program and director of kidney care in the MGH Herscot Center for Tuberous Sclerosis. A career in research served as the turning point for a rewarding career in clinical care – a decision she hasn’t regretted since.

Lori PugsleyLori Pugsley, RN, BSN, MEd

Lori Pugsley, RN, BSN, MEd, is the nursing director of Inpatient Pediatrics at Mass General for Children. For her, finding balance in life is what helps women become more resilient and passionate, a quality that MGfC and Massachusetts General Hospital value and reinforce.

Nicole Randazzo-AhearnNicole Randazzo-Ahearn, MD

Nicole Randazzo-Ahearn, MD, is the medical director of the Newborn Nursery at Mass General for Children. For her, the theme that arises from women physicians in history is to contributing to the care of children – a theme that Randazzo-Ahearn proudly carries into her work with patients and families at the start of life.

Ana Maria RosalesAna Maria Rosales, MD

Ana Maria Rosales, MD, is a physician in Pediatric Cardiology at Mass General for Children. Her desire to be a doctor stemmed from a deep fascination with the human body on a cellular level and how those cells power human life.

Elyse Levin RussmanElyse Levin Russman, MSW, LICSW

Elyse Levin-Russman, MSW, LICSW, is a clinical social worker in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Mass General for Children. She considers it an honor to be a part of a patient and family’s experience with the health care team during a difficult time in their lives.

Elsie TaverasElsie Taveras, MD, MPH

Executive director, Kraft Center for Community Health at Massachusetts General Hospital

Shannon Scott-VernagliaShannon Scott-Vernaglia, MD

Shannon Scott-Vernaglia, MD, is the director of the Pediatric Residency Program at Mass General for Children. She became a doctor to help patients and families navigate the joys and challenges of life, serving as a guide when things get tough and sharing the excitement when they meet milestones.

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