Marie Michele Constant , MD
In July 2003, Dr. Constant began her tenure at TLC. She had previously earned an undergraduate degree in psychology in 1994 at New York University. For the next two years, she took advanced science courses in Queens and Buffalo. In 1996, she began her training at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. From there, she commenced her residency in pediatrics at North Shore Hospital in Long Island. Dr. Constant is fluent in French and Creole. She has a special interest in the care of troubled teens. She has been involved with Big Brothers / Big Sisters, food drives for homeless women and children, and studied the use of acupuncture in treating substance abuse. Dr. Constant is enjoying the addition to the family, a baby girl, born in April 2005.

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Christian Hietanen, DO
Dr. Hietanen is the newest member of TLC Pediatrics, having joined in August 2005. He received his undergraduate degree from Canisius College, and then went on to medical school at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. While in medical school, he founded the NYCOM Pediatric Club and, upon graduation, received the award for excellence in pediatrics. Dr. Hietanen did his pediatric residency at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY, where he was consistently recognized as one of the top residents in the program. He is board certified by the AAP and trained in Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Dr. Hietanen takes a special interest in the care of asthma and allergies, the education of new parents, as well as pediatric physical fitness. He enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with his wife and son.

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Joseph Malak , MD
Dr. Malak is the founder of TLC Pediatrics and the managing partner. He attended Western Reserve College and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. After his training at Childrens Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, he was appointed chief resident of pediatrics at Albany Medical Center Hospital. He came to Poughkeepsie in 1985 when he joined the staff of HealthShield (later called CHP). In 1998, CHP merged with Kaiser, and he served as physician manager in pediatrics. When Kaiser closed its doors two years later, Dr. Malak assembled a team of caring physicians and competent support staff that now cares for over 10,000 children. He also served as chairman of the division of pediatrics at Saint Francis Hospital from 1995-2002. He is currently associate chairman of the department of pediatrics at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, and has served on various committees at both hospitals. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Complementary, Holistic, and Integrative Medicine as well as the Section on Practice Management. He also has a special interest in alternatives to blood transfusion in children has been a member of the Society for Advancement of Bloodless Medicine. Non-medical interests include landscaping, organic home cooking, and, of course, his two young children.

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Kathleen Reitter, C.F.N.P.
Kathleen Reitter, C.F.N.P. (Certified Family Nurse Practitioner) will be joining our practice on October 1, 2007. Kathy comes to us with over 15 years of experience as a Nurse Practitioner and several years prior as a Registered Nurse. She has worked in a primary care setting for the last 14 years providing all aspects of primary care, education and urgent care treatment. Kathy has a special interest in adolescent medicine as well as patient education. She is also a preceptor for nurse practitioner students assisting them with the training and experience they need to become certified. Kathy will be working in both our Poughkeepsie and Fishkill offices. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and two teenagers.

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