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child life staff

Meet the Team

Manager

Gina Lozito

Gina Lozito, MSEd, CCLS
lozitor@upstate.edu
Bachelor’s Degree: Utica College
Master’s Degree: Syracuse University
Fun Fact: I enjoy practicing yoga in my free time. 

Inpatient Units

11E – Pediatric Surgical Inpatient

Chrissie Kudrewicz

Chrissy Kudrewicz
kudrewic@upstate.edu
315-464-4339
Bachelor’s & Master’s Degree: Syracuse University
Fun Fact: I teach snowboarding.

11G – Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Nephrology

Elizabeth Kinsley

Elizabeth Kinsley, BS, CCLS
kinsleye@upstate.edu
315-464-3665
Bachelor’s Degree: Utica College
Fun Fact: I love to dance, even if there is no music on. 

12F – Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Sue Karl

Sue Karl, BS, CCLS, MRT
karls@upstate.edu
315-464-7543
Bachelor’s Degree: Utica College
Fun Fact: I love to collect antique popcorn poppers.

Clinics and Outpatient Areas

Clark Burn Center

Allison Della Penna

Allison Della Penna, BS, CCLS
dellapea@upstate.edu
315-464-7587
Bachelor’s Degree Utica College
Fun Fact: I played college volleyball. 

The Center for Children’s Surgery

Rachel Stinson

Rachel Stinson, MS, CCLS
hannonr@upstate.edu
315-464-7506
Bachelor’s Degree: Utica College
Master’s Degree: Erikson Institute
Fun Fact: I grew up in the Adirondacks so I love to camp and hike. 

Emergency Department

 Anna Izquierdo, MS, CCLS

Anna Izquierdo, MS, CCLS
izquiera@upstate.edu 
315-464-1972
Bachelor’s & Master’s Degree: Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development
Fun Fact: I love all things Disney and Harry Potter.


Maddie Potter, MS, CCLS

Maddie Potter, MS, CCLS
potterma@upstate.edu
315-464-1986
Bachelor’s & Master’s Degree: Ohio University
Fun Fact: I have lived in 7 different states.

Joslin Center for Diabetes

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Margaret Nellis, MS, CCLS
nellism@upstate.edu
315-464-2652
Bachelor’s Degree: Utica College
Master’s Degree: Hunter College School of Education
Fun Fact: I met Jackie Kennedy while in New York City.

Radiology

Abby Loehrke
Abby Loehrke, BS, CCLS
loehrkea@upstate.edu
315-464-7587
Bachelor’s Degree: Ohio University
Fun Fact: I skied the Swiss Alps after only skiing three times in my life beforehand.

Upstate Pediatric and Adolescent Center

Jaclyn Levy

Jaclyn Levy, MS, CCLS
levyja@upstate.edu
315-464-2084
Bachelor’s Degree: Penn State University
Master’s Degree: Towson University
Fun Fact: I have an identical twin.

Waters Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders

Maggie Zick

Maggie Burns, MS, CCLS
burnsmar@upstate.edu
315-464-7239
Bachelor’s Degree: Binghamton University
Master’s Degree: Bank Street College of Education
Fun Fact: My favorite hobby is organizing.

Patient Therapies

Art Therapist

Kristen Finn

Kristen Finn, MA, LCAT, ATR-BC
finnkr@upstate.edu
315-464-9095
Bachelor’s Degree: SUNY Fredonia
Master’s Degree: Hofstra University
Fun Fact: I enjoy traveling, riding my bike, and who would have guessed, making any type of art I can get my hands on!

Gaming and Technology Specialist

Brad Taylor

Brad Taylor
taylobra@upstate.edu
315-464-9428
Bachelor’s Degree: Empire State College
Fun Fact: I enjoy hiking and kayaking. I enjoy board games as much as video games. I have a cat named Bailey and a dog named Ollie.

Music Therapist

Clare Arezina

Clare Arezina, MME, MT-BC, CCLS
arezinac@upstate.edu
315-464-7533
Bachelor’s Degree: Nazareth College
Master’s Degree: University of Kansas
Fun Fact: I’ve run 36 half marathons in 27 states. 

School Teacher

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Mary Ellen Michalenko
michalem@upstate.edu
315-464-7627
Bachelor’s Degree: SUNY Cortland
Master’s Degree: LeMoyne College
Fun Fact: I’ve been the Upstate Medical University/ Golisano’s Children’s Hospital, Hospital School Teacher for 24 years.

Gary Lang

Gene Lang, M.S. Ed.
Email: langeu@upstate.edu
Phone: 315-464-2050
Bachelor's & Master's Degree: St. John Fisher University
Fun Fact: I love the outdoors, spending time with my wife and three kids, and coaching youth wrestling for my kids' teams.

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