Meet the Advanced Practice Providers

Janice Agen, NP

Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health

Janice joined the OB/GYN department at Upstate Medical University in 2013. She is a board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, with 20+ years of experience caring for women of all ages. Her interests include patient and provider education, family planning, and improving access for women to all types of services, especially the medically underserved.

Education & Training

• BS in Community Health Education, 1980
• BS in Nursing, Syracuse University, 1985
• Masters in Nursing, Women’s Health Care NP, University of Washington, Seattle, 1995

Charina Carissimi, CNM

Certified Nurse Midwife

Charina Carissimi joined the OB/GYN Department at Upstate Medical University as a Certified Nurse Midwife in November 2012.  She has 12+ years of experience.  In her practice, Charina emphasizes the importance of patient education. She feels that sharing insight and information helps to build confidence and empower her patients.

Education & Training

• St Josephs’ School of Nursing, 1999
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing at SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2001
• Masters of Arts Degree in Nurse Midwifery, New York University, 2003

Memberships

• American College of Nurse Midwives
• International Honor Society of Nursing
• Sigma Theta Theta Tau Chapter

Kathleen Dermady, CNM, NP

Certified Nurse Midwife and Nurse Practitioner

Kathleen Dermady is one of the most experienced midwifes in the OB/GYN Department at Upstate Medical University.  She has over 20 years of experience as a midwife and nurse practitioner, and was a founding board member of the New York State Association of Licensed Midwives. She is also active on the Upstate University's Advanced Practice Clinician Association legislative committee.

Kathleen is interested in the care of women with medically complicated pregnancies, especially those with diabetes and high risk pregnancies. Her midwifery practice places strong emphasis on the empowerment and education of women.

Education & Training

• Masters of Science in Nursing at Syracuse University
• Frontier School of Midwifery and Nursing

Paula Devendorf, CNM, NP

Certified Nurse Midwife and Nurse Practitioner

Pauline (Paula) Devendorf is a Certified Nurse Practitioner in Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Certified Nurse Midwife. She joined University OB/GYN Associates in November 2001.  She is the nurse practitioner for Dr Badawy, who specializes in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.  Paula also coordinates in vitro fertilization services for patients, and provides education, counseling, support, and planning.

Paula is an adjunct faculty member at St. Joseph's School of Nursing, and serves as a preceptor instructor for Nurse Practitioner students from Syracuse University and Upstate Medical University. She teaches in the POM program at Upstate Medical University, instructing second year medical students on pelvic exams and breast exams.

Education & Training

• Masters Degree in Nursing, Stony Brook University
• Bachelors Degree in Nursing, Syracuse University

Wendy Gellert, NP

Nurse Practitioner

Wendy Gellert is a board-certified nurse practitioner in the Regional Perinatal Center of Upstate Medical University.  She joined the department in 1997.  She has experience with obstetrics as well as newborn care.  Her interests include antepartum and postpartum care of teens with socioeconomic and medical issues.

Education & Training

• RN, Crouse-Irving Hospital School of Nursing, 1979
• Nurse Practitioner Program at Community General Hospital, 1997
• Bachelors of Nursing degree, SUNY IT at Utica-Rome, 2000
• Masters degree in Nursing, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2006

Memberships

• Omicron Alpha Sigma Theta Tau
• International Honor Society of Nursing

Mary Hartman, CNM

Certified Nurse Midwife

Mary Hartman is a certified nurse midwife in the OB/GYN department at Upstate Medical University. She joined the department in 2004, and has more than 25 years of experience as a midwife.  Her clinical interests include perinatal bereavement, postpartum depression, refugee/immigrant health, teen pregnancy, and centering pregnancy.

Education & Training

• St Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing
• Nursing, LeMoyne College of Syracuse
• Midwifery Certification, SUNY Brooklyn

Shari Kelley, ANP-BC

Certified Adult Care Nurse Practitioner

Shari Kelley is a board-certified nurse practitioner in Women’s Health at Upstate Medical University. She joined the department in 1992. She has extensive experience with high risk pregnancies, family planning, and breast cancer. Ms. Kelley’s clinical interests include the care of medically complicated pregnancies, the care of women with HIV during pregnancy, provision of family planning services, STD prevention and treatment.

Education & Training

• BS in nursing, Pennsylvania State University, 1983
• Adult Nurse Practitioner Certification, Community General Hospital, 1990

Jennifer Kohler, FNP-BC

Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Jennifer Kohler is a board-certified family nurse practitioner at the Regional Perinatal Center.  She joined the OB/GYN department at Upstate in 2004. 

Education & Training

• RN, St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing, 2000
• BS in nursing, Syracuse University, 2001
• Master of Science and Family Nurse Practitioner, Syracuse University, 2004
• Post-Master's Certificate in Advanced Practice Colposcopy, Drexel University, 2009

Memberships

• Sigma Theta Tau
• International Honor Society of Nursing

Melanie Lape Pitts

Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health

Melanie Pitts is a nurse practitioner with 25+ years of experience.  She joined the OB/GYN Department at Upstate Medical University in 1999.  Mrs. Pitts received the William Painter Award for Nursing Excellence in Women’s Health Services. She is interested in helping her patients toward their reproductive health goals as well as improving their overall health.

Education & Training

• BS in nursing, Alfred University
• Masters Degree in Women’s Health, University of Pennsylvania

Memberships

• Sigma Theta Tau
• International Honor Society of Nursing, Omicron chapter

Lita Morris, CNM

Certified Nurse Midwife

Lita Morris is a certified nurse midwife in the OB/GYN department at Upstate Medical University. She joined the department in 2018, and has more than 5 years of experience as a midwife. 

Education & Training

• Case Western Reserve, Cleveland, Ohio - RN
• Case Western Reserve, Cleveland, Ohio - Midwife

Tara Magee, NP