When a patient is brought to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, the severity of injury is assessed immediately by the Trauma Team. The trauma surgeons and nurses are responsible for the evaluation, care and plan of treatment. An evidence-based process is designed to ensure that critical care is delivered safely and timely so that all the patient needs are met.
To meet the individual needs of an injured patient, while coordinating efforts with the family, if available at that time, the trauma surgeons and nurses work as a collaborative team. Other medical specialists may also participate in care of the injured patient, as necessary. These providers may be from various surgical or non-surgical specialties. This includes the decision about when to use diagnostic evaluative tools like ultrasound or CT scans, x-ray, etc. and in what order to provide different pieces of the care plan, called the sequencing of care.
Trauma Surgeons
Chairman of Department of Surgery
General Surgeon
Kenneth R. Fretwell, M.D., F.A.C.S
Dr. Kenneth Fretwell, the Chairman of the Department of Surgery has worked for Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for over twenty-two years. A Cornell University Medical Center trained general surgeon, he joined Jamaica Hospital in 1995 and was promoted to be the Director of Surgical Intensive Care Unit shortly thereafter. He has served as the Chairman of the Anesthesia & Invasive Procedures Committee and currently holds a seat on the medical board at the hospital. Dr. Fretwell has been a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Cornell University Medical Center since 2006. He has won many awards through the years including the Dewitt Award in Surgery as well as the Chief Resident Teaching Award. In 2015, he was also named Honorary Police Surgeon to the New York Police Department.
Associate Surgeon in Chief, Department of Surgery
Trauma/Critical Care Surgeon
Robert A. Laskowski II, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Robert Laskowski is an Attending Surgeon who received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences at Drexel University and his MD/Ph.D. in Neuroscience at Drexel University College of Medicine. He completed his surgery residency at Stony Brook and his fellowship in Trauma/Surgical Critical Care/Acute Care Emergency Surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center, R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. Dr. Laskowski is also a veteran of the United States Army as a surgeon with combat deployment experience and is currently active in the Army Reserves as a surgeon.
Dr. Laskowski is also a veteran of the United States Army as a surgeon with combat deployment experience and is currently active in the Army Reserves as a surgeon.
Trauma Medical Director
Trauma/Critical Care Surgeon
Katherine McKenzie, D.O., F.A.C.O.S.
Dr. Katherine McKenzie received her B.S. degree from Kansas State University in 2004 and her D.O. degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in 2009. She completed her residency in general surgery at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in Queens, NY in 2014 and a fellowship in surgical critical care at Rutgers University Hospital in Newark, NJ in 2015. She joined the faculty at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center (JHMC) in 2015 serving as an attending surgeon for trauma, critical care, and acute care surgery.
She was the Surgical Critical Care Director at JHMC from 2017 to 2019 and then became the Trauma Medical Director at JHMC in 2019 and continues to actively serve as the TMD at JHMC. Focused on gun-violence prevention, in 2021 Dr. McKenzie launched the first Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program at Jamaica Hospital with the creation of the Violence Elimination and Trauma Outreach (VETO) program. In 2023 she began service on the Medical Board of Directors for JHMC and she is active in resident and medical student education and is an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery for NYITCOM and a Clinical Professor of Surgery for Ross University Medical School.
She has co-authored several peer reviewed publications, presented abstracts, posters and has presented several invited Grand Rounds lectures. Dr. McKenzie was an invited key-note speaker at the 2023 OhioHealth Trauma Conference in Columbus, OH. In 2024, Dr. McKenzie was appointed by the NYC Regional Trauma Advisory Committee as the Physician Representative to the Greater New York Hospital Association Emergency Preparedness Committee.
She is an active ATLS instructor and certified in Disaster Management and Emergency Preparedness. She is an inducted Fellow in the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and a member of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST), the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), The Association of Women Surgeons (AWS), and an associate member of The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST). National committee appointments have included the Communications Committee for both the AWS and AAST, the Membership Committee for the ACOS and the Membership and Literature Review Committee for EAST.
Director of Acute Care Surgery
General Surgeon
Jeffery Chan, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Jeffrey Chan, the Director of Acute Care Surgery, received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and his Medical Doctor Degree from Boston University. Dr. Chan received his residency training at New York Hospital – Cornell Medical Center. He is the recipient of the New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell College Department of Surgery Faculty Teaching Award. Dr. Chan has collaborated on various research projects throughout his career in the areas of basic sciences and surgery and these studies have been published in various surgery journals. He was also the recipient of teaching awards in 2010 and 2015.
Medical Director of the Surgical ICU, Medical Student
Clerkship Director, Trauma/Critical Care Surgeon
Michael Amaturo, D.O.
Dr. Michael Amaturo is an attending surgeon who is dual board-certified in general surgery and surgical critical care. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY Albany and his Medical Degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed both his residency in surgery and fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at Lutheran Medical Center (now NYU-Langone/Brooklyn).
Surgery Performance Improvement Lead
Trauma/Critical Care Surgeon
John Bliton, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. John Bliton is an Attending Surgeon who is dual board-certified in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After a year at the National Institutes of Health, he completed medical school at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. He completed his General Surgery residency at Montefiore and Jacobi in the Bronx, as well as his fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at Baylor/Ben Taub Hospital in Houston. He has produced multiple publications in prominent national journals. His research and clinical interests are focused on ensuring everyone receives equal standard-of-care treatment regardless of socioeconomic or minority status.
Trauma/Critical Care Surgeon
Danielle DeFoe, D.O., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Danielle DeFoe is an attending surgeon who is dual board-certified in general surgery and surgical critical care. She received her bachelor’s degree from Siena College and her DO/MS in neuromuscular science at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed surgical residency at Hackensack at Palisades and her fellowship in Trauma/Surgical Critical Care/Acute Care Emergency Surgery at Cooper Hospital. She is an adjunct faculty member for the U.S. State Department. She is an ATLS and Stop the Bleed Instructor and ASSET instructor candidate. Her interests include global medicine and disaster preparedness.
Trauma/Critical Care Surgeon
Nikia McFadden, M.D., M.A.S.
Dr. Nikia McFadden is an attending surgeon who received her bachelor’s degree in molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University and her Medical Degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her residency in surgery at the University of California, Davis, where she also completed a master’s degree in clinical research. She then returned to the University of Pennsylvania for her fellowship in Trauma and Surgical Critical Care. Dr. McFadden’s research interests are focused on healthcare disparities and firearm violence.
Research Team
Director of Research
Jonathan Robitsek, Ph.D.
R. Jonathan Robitsek received his Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Boston University where he investigated the behavioral and electrophysiological phenotypes associated with the role of the hippocampus in memory. During his postdoctoral fellowship in pharmacology at Boston University School of Medicine, he extended his study of the hippocampus to better understand its role in memory and normal aging. This research explored the use of sub-therapeutic doses of anti-seizure medications to improve memory via reducing excess hyperactivity within the hippocampus.
He joined the Department of Surgery at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in 2014 as Research Director and became the Director of Research Education and Innovation for MediSys Health Network in 2023. In the Department of Surgery, Jonathan has facilitated the hospital meeting the research standards set forth by the American College of Surgeons for three trauma center verification surveys. His current research interests include all things trauma and critical care surgery, developing predictive models to inform clinical decisions, and building efficient data pipelines for reporting and analysis. When not spending time with his wife and daughter, he enjoys collecting vinyl LPs, writing with fountain pens, saltwater fishing, and good coffee.
Contact Information
Research Associate
Juliana Ricciardi, B.A.
Ms. Juliana Riccardi serves as a Research Associate in the Department of Surgery and Trauma. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The New School in 2022 and has accumulated extensive experience in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Ms. Riccardi has presented her work at national and regional conferences and is dedicated to leveraging research for the betterment of marginalized communities. She approaches her work with a focus on justice-oriented reflexivity and care. In addition to her research role, Ms. Riccardi has served as an emergency room advocate across seven hospitals in New York City, providing on-site support for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. A native New Yorker, Ms. Riccardi is committed to furthering her community engagement through hands-on volunteer work and continued research
Trauma Administrative Team
Trauma Registrar
Issac, Shekeva
Shekeva Issac is a Registered Nurse with over 9 years of healthcare experience, focusing on the care of all patients. She originally worked as a Medical Assistant, where she learned about the primary delivery of quality patient care.
She joined the Jamaica Trauma Registry Team in 2016, in which she has acquired two certifications, the Abbreviated Injury Scale Specialist (CAISS) and Specialist in Trauma Registries (CSTR). These achievements have helped her to understand injuries, patient care, reporting, and performance improvement, and subsequently made a tremendous positive impact on the trauma registry.
She is currently attending nursing school to further her career and pursue her passion for bedside nursing care. Outside of work she enjoys event planning and assisting those who are in need.
Trauma Registrar
Muncan, Maria
Maria Muncan is a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) with extensive experience in trauma registry. Maria has been working as a trauma registrar in Level 1 trauma centers since 2012 and joined Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in 2014. Maria has been an integral part of accurately documenting and analyzing traumatic injuries. Her dedication to excellence and ongoing learning drives her commitment to delivering high-quality results while adhering to industry standards and regulations. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking and exploring new recipes in her free time, adding creativity and flavor to her life beyond the medical field.
Trauma Registrar
Edwards, Cicely
Cicely Edwards brings a wealth of experience in healthcare, spanning an impressive 25 years. With a diverse background in various aspects of the healthcare industry, she embarked on a new journey in March 2023 as a Trauma Registrar at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Cicely is dedicated to making a positive impact in her role and contributing to the crucial field of healthcare. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, reading, and giving back to the community.
Trauma Nurse Registrar
Smith, Rose
Rose recently joined our team as a Trauma Nurse registrar in January 2025. She obtained her Bachelor of Science from La Salle University in 2021 and has been a registered nurse for over three years. Beginning her nursing career in a surgical-trauma intensive care unit, Rose quickly grew a passion for the trauma population. She became a certified trauma registered nurse in 2023 and continues to seek opportunities to further her trauma education.
Trauma Performance Improvement Specialist
Azeez, Katrina, BSN RN
Ms. Katrina Azeez joined the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Trauma Team in May of 2024 as one of the Trauma Performance Improvement Specialists. She has been a Registered Nurse since 2018, and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from La Salle University. She has over 5 years of clinical experience as a trauma and critical care nurse, with certification in trauma nursing care. Katrina has experience working in different ICU/critical care environments, but her passion has always been for Trauma. Since joining Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in 2022 as a travel nurse, she has experienced the complexities of trauma care firsthand at Jamaica Hospital. The experience of working at bedside and helping heal trauma patients has been a service that has been a pleasure for her. Working as a Trauma Performance Improvement Specialist, Katrina is improving patient care even further. Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family, friends, and dog.
Trauma Performance Improvement Specialist
Gibson, Chelsea
Chelsea Gibson is a Registered Nurse who Joined Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in 2023. She has years of clinical experience in caring for trauma patients in emergencies and post-anesthesia care settings. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her master’s in public health. She joined the trauma registry with the hopes of improving the delivery of trauma care through data.
Injury Prevention & VETO Program Manager
Jones, Marcella, MSN RN CEN
Marcella Jones joined the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Trauma Team in April of 2024 as the VETO Program Manager. She is a compassionate advocate and educator, with a commitment to serving the community. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Penn State University and her Master of Science in Nursing from Seton Hall University. She is board-certified in Emergency Nursing and has held clinical and educational roles at various Level 1 trauma centers in the tristate area. Ms. Jones is a current American Heart Association instructor for Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). She has a special interest in the development of autistic children, eliminating urban health disparities, and the protection of vulnerable populations.
Peer Coach
Rodriguez, Jason
Jason Rodriguez joined the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Trauma Team in March of 2024, and has been working on the front lines as a first responder with the New York City Crisis Management System with high-risk youth; those that are formerly incarcerated; food insecure families; and, survivors of and families affected by interpersonal violence. He is an advocate for mental health awareness, actor, author, film producer, documentary, and motivational speaker for over two decades. His work as a Creditable Messenger and Violence Interrupter with Cure Violence programs has allowed him the opportunity to work with the Department of Education, Department of Corrections, Administration for Children's Services, Department of Youth & Community Development, Office of Neighborhood Safety, Mayors Office of Criminal Justice, The Mental Health Project - Urban Justice Center, Anti Gun Violence Employment Program, Summer Youth Employment Program and Cure Violence Organizations (King of Kings Foundation, Life Camp, Inc, Visionary V Ministries & Beautiful One Outreach Program) throughout New York City, the Tri State and the United States. Working as a Gang Specialist, he mentors young men & women all over the country to interrupt the cycle of violence, reducing high risk behaviors and changing community norms as a Director of Programs, Violence Interruption Supervisor, and Outreach Worker Supervisor. His motto of "Less Declaration and More Demonstration" drives his ambition to be a change agent.
VETO Care Coordinator
Johnson, Solake
I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Community Health from the University of Mount Saint Vincent. I have over 22 years of community service experience in the Jamaica, Queens community, including 18 years at Jamaica hospital as a Prevention Counselor. This year, I returned to Jamaica Hospital as the Trauma Coordinator for the VETO program. I bring with me experience as a Care Coordinator, Rehousing Specialist, and Resident Director.
Injury Prevention Coordinator
Raphael, Arnold
Arnold Raphaël brings over a decade of extensive expertise in the field of community health education. Holding a BA in Business/Community Health, he has augmented his qualifications with several certifications, including the ACPH (Advanced Certificate in Public Health), STB (Certified Stop the Bleed Instructor), CIPC (Certified Injury Prevention Coordinator), TCAFP (Certified Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention Instructor), AS (Certified Active Shooter Preparedness Instructor), FP (Certified Fall Prevention Instructor), and CySA/IT (Certified Cyber Security Analyst/Information Technology).
Assuming the role of Injury Prevention, Education & Community Outreach Coordinator within the Department of Surgery & Trauma at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in August 2022, Mr. Raphaël has demonstrated unwavering dedication to delivering comprehensive prevention education to the community. His portfolio encompasses vital topics such as fall prevention, elder abuse awareness, pedestrian safety, active shooter preparedness, stop the bleed protocols, and tai chi for arthritis, with a particular emphasis on fall prevention. He is dedicated to delivering high-quality educational services and resources to the community.
Trauma Program Director
Matthew Conn, MSN RN CCRN-K TCRN
Mr. Matthew Conn has over 20 years of clinical and non-clinical/administrative experience in caring for trauma patients as a trauma, flight, and critical care nurse, and as trauma program leadership. Mr. Conn earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Rhode Island in 2000, and his Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2021. He is board-certified in trauma and critical care nursing and maintains memberships in the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, American Trauma Society, and Society of Trauma Nurses.
Mr. Conn teaches nationally for the American Trauma Society, is a Course Director and Instructor for Trauma Nursing Core Course, and a Site Coordinator for Advanced Trauma Life Support. He holds local, regional, and state leadership positions in the trauma community. Mr. Conn has been recognized for his engagement, involvement, and contributions to collaborative committee and system work and development, having been awarded the NYS Division of the American Trauma Society’s Trauma Program Manager of Distinction Award for 2021. He is a Veteran of the US Army as an Army Nurse Corps Officer with combat deployment experience, enjoys being an educator and resource for others, and considers being in leadership roles a privilege.
