Richard Waldman, MD, FACOG
Dr. Richard Waldman received his medical degree from the New Jersey College of Medicine in 1972. In 1976 he completed
his Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York. After a two year United
States Air Force obligation, he returned to Syracuse and has been practicing here ever since. He is a Diplomat of the
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Since
2001, Dr. Waldman has been re-certified yearly with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Waldman has received several honors including a United States Air Force Commendation Medal, a District Service
Award and a Section service award from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and an award for community
service from the Onondaga County Medical Society. Dr. Waldman currently serves at St. Joseph's Hospital as the Director
of the Performance Improvement Committee and is a member of the Medical Executive Committee. He was President of
the Central New York Obstetrics and Gynecology Society and was a member of the board of the National Perinatal Association.
Currently he is the Chairman of District II of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Chairman of the
Council of District Chairs of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Washington, D.C. and is a
Consultant to the International Childbirth Education Association. Recently, where he was appointed to the Board of Directors
of the Medical Liability Insurance Company. He is currently is listed in the 2007 Best Doctors in America.
Dr. Waldman has lectured frequently and published several medical journal articles. During his career, Dr. Waldman
has advocated for improvements in the health and welfare of women by establishing the first hospital based midwifery practice
in Central New York, father attended Cesarean Sections, the Birth Place, VBACs, the New York State Midwifery Bill and the
right for women to directly access their OB-GYN.
Christopher LaRussa, MD, FACOG
 Dr. LaRussa is a Birmingham, Alabama native who earned his bachelor's degree from Auburn University in 1988. He then attended medical school and residency at The University of Alabama at Birmingham, completing his training in 1996. Dr. LaRussa is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is also a member of several local and national professional organizations and voluntarily undergoes annual recertification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology to help maintain currency in his practice. Dr. LaRussa practiced in Alabama for six years prior to joining Associates for Women's Medicine. His interests include pelvic prolapse and incontinence and high risk obstetrics. He now resides Fayetteville, NY.
Melissa Brown, MD, FACOG
Dr. Melissa Brown is a native of Cheektowaga, New York. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She completed her medical school training at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse. She remained in Syracuse to complete her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. After residency, she joined a practice in Olean, New York, and then returned to Syracuse to join Associates for Women's Medicine. Dr. Brown is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a diplomat of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Brown is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Vera House. She currently resides in Jamesville with her husband.
Elaine Mielcarski, MS, NP, CNM, FACNM
 Elaine has been in practice for 27 years as a gynecologic nurse practitioner and a licensed midwife. She has delivered over 3,000 babies and has been a direct provider of women's health care for thousands of women. She was the first midwife in Central New York, obtaining hospital privileges in all Syracuse hospitals with maternity units.Elaine is currently on staff at St. Joseph's Hospital as a full voting member of the medical staff. She was instrumental in bringing the Birthing Center to St. Joseph's Hospital and sat on the initial Board that established its policies. Elaine was educated as a Nurse Practitioner in Adult Medicine and Ob/Gyn at Community General Hospital.She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Health Services. She is a graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina Midwifery Education Program in Charleston, S.C. She holds a Master of Science degree from the State University of New York at Stony brook. She is an ASPO certified childbirth Educator. She holds many state and national memberships and positions. Elaine was appointed as the inaugural Chair of the N.Y.S. Board of Midwifery in 1995 and to the Council of Chairs by the Governor and the Board of Regents. She is currently Chair of the Clinical Practice Committee on that Board. She has been very active professionally with the American College of Nurse Midwives and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.She has lobbied for women and family issues on a state and national level. She has been a frequent speaker and is published in the Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine and the American College of Nurse Midwives and Certified Midwives. In 1993, Elaine received the Award of Excellence from the American College of Nurse Midwives. In 2000 she was bestowed the coveted honor of Fellow of the American College of Nurse Midwives. She serves on a variety of committees at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse. She has participated in over 80 post- graduate and continuing education courses. Elaine has five children and resides with her husband in DeWitt, New York.
Jane Fields, CNM
 Jane was educated as a Registered Nurse and earned her B.S.N. degree at the State University of New York in Utica. She holds a license to practice midwifery having earned her certificate of midwifery at the State University of New York in Brooklyn. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and received the award for academic excellence. Since 1993, Jane has been providing care to women as a midwife, first in association with Dr. Pierre Rizk and presently with Advocates For Women's Health. She is associated with St. Joseph's Hospital where she is a member of the medical staff with admitting privileges. Jane is an active member of the local chapter of the American College of Nurse Midwives, holding the office of treasurer for over six years. She has been involved in the education of midwifery students and presently participates in the education of residents at St. Joseph's Hospital. Jane's family is scattered across the county. She keeps herself busy with gardening, antiques and church activities.
Kandice Kowalewski, RPA-C
Kandice Kowalewski, RPA-C is a Syracuse native. She graduated magna cum laude earning her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from LeMoyne College. In 2003, Ms. Kowalewski completed her training as a physician assistant from the LeMoyne College Physician Assistant Program. She has completed additional training in colposcopic procedures as well as clinical bone densitometry. As a certified clinical densitometrist, Ms. Kowalewski provides counseling and interpretation of DEXA scan reports. She has been practicing as a physician assistant in obstetrics and gynecology in central New York for the past four years. Ms. Kowalewski is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, International Society of Clinical Densitometry and Tri Beta- the national biological honor society. She resides with her husband in Manlius, New York.
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