Pediatrician Biographies - Pediatric Team

Physician Biographies

Tom Abbamont, MD, FAAP

Originally from Mount Vernon, NY, Dr. Abbamont graduated from Fordham University, summa cum laude, with a BS in biology. He attended New York Medical College and completed his residency training in pediatrics at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Dr. Abbamont joined Pediatric Associates in 1988. Outside of the office, Dr. Abbamont and his wife spend most of their time with their two children.

Steven Nicolais, MD, FAAP

Dr. Nicolais grew up in Rochester, NY. He graduated from LeMoyne College and completed medical school and pediatric residency training at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Dr. Nicolais joined Pediatric Associates in 1989. In 1994, he was elected “Pediatrician of the Year” by the SUNY Upstate Pediatric Residency Staff. Dr. Nicolais has four children, is active in youth athletics, and enjoys camping and hiking with his family.

Coreena Weaver, MD, FAAP

Dr. Weaver is originally from Geneseo, NY. She graduated from Houghton College with a BS in biology and attended Oral Roberts University School of Medicine. Dr. Weaver completed her residency training in pediatrics at SUNY Upstate Medical University. She practiced pediatrics in Rome, NY for three years before joining Pediatric Associates in 1995.

Daniel Saarie, MD, FAAP

Dr. Saarie is a Central New York native and attended Syracuse University. He received his medical degree from the College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University and completed his residency training in pediatrics at the University of Vermont in Burlington. He and his family then returned to the Syracuse area where he joined Pediatric Associates in 1998. Dr. Saarie is happily married and has three children.

Wayne Leavitt, MD, FAAP

Dr. Leavitt is originally from Fair Lawn, NJ. He graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Mathematics. He then joined the United States Peace Corps where he taught math in Africa for three years. After teaching for seven years, he decided to become a pediatrician and continue his work with children. He attended the University of California School of Medicine at Davis and completed his pediatric residency on Long Island at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY. Dr. Leavitt joined Pediatric Associates in 2002. He is married and has three children.

Jennifer Rufa, MD, FAAP

Dr. Rufa is originally from Brooklyn, NY. She graduated magna cum laude from Binghamton University with a BS in Biology, then attended both medical school and completed her pediatric residency training at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Dr. Rufa joined Pediatric Associates in 2004. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.

Esther Livingstone, MD, FAAP

Dr. Livingstone graduated from Cornell University, magna cum laude, with a BS in Biology. She attended medical school and completed her pediatric residency training at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Dr. Livingstone joined Pediatric Associates in 2011. She enjoys spending time with her husband outdoors, including hiking, cross-country skiing, and gardening.

Emily Smith, MD, FAAP

Dr. Smith is originally from Potsdam, NY. She completed her undergraduate studies, summa cum laude, at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, earning a BS in Biology and Biotechnology. Dr. Smith later attended New York Medical College, going on to complete her residency training in pediatrics at SUNY Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. Dr. Smith practiced for two years in Potsdam, NY before joining Pediatric Associates in 2018. Married with two young children, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and being outdoors.

Katherine Dunham, MD, FAAP

Dr. Dunham graduated magna cum laude with a BS in Biological Sciences from Cornell University and received her medical degree from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, graduating summa cum laude in 2008. After completing a pediatric residency at Strong Memorial in Rochester in 2011, she moved back to the Syracuse area where she grew up. Dr. Dunham is board certified in Pediatrics and began practicing in the Syracuse area starting in 2011 prior to joining Pediatric Associates in May 2019.

Renee Boulware, MD, MPH, FAAP

Dr. Boulware is a native of Syracuse and graduated from Fordham University with a BS in Biology and minor in Psychology. She attended medical school at New York Medical College where she also earned a Master's Degree in Public Health. She then completed a pediatric residency followed by a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University of Rochester. Dr. Boulware has been practicing in general pediatrics in the Syracuse area since 2020, prior to joining Pediatric Associates in July of 2022. Her personal time is spent enjoying family time with her husband and daughter, as well as reading and traveling.

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Medical Staff Biographies

Susan Pinkowski, Practice Manager

Susan is originally from Camillus but has lived in Marcellus since 1999. She graduated from Marist College with a BS in Business Administration and Marketing. She has enjoyed working for Pediatric Associates since 1988 in a variety of positions but now has a key role directing the operations. She is married with two adult daughters and enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Cheryl Cook, PNP

Cheryl is a board certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who is a North Syracuse native. She graduated with a Masters of Science from SUNY Upstate Medical University. Cheryl has seven years of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology nursing experience at SUNY Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. In 2007, she began to care for children in primary care. Cheryl is a marathoner and a three time Ironman triathlete. She enjoys swimming, cycling, and running, as well as snowshoeing.

Megan Boyles, PNP

Megan is a board certified pediatric nurse practitioner. A Pennsylvania native, she obtained her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and worked as a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse for five years. In 2009, she completed her Master’s Degree in nursing at SUNY Upstate Medical University and began working in primary care. Megan and her family are active members of their church where she coordinates the youth fellowship. In her free time she enjoys spending time with husband and two children, reading, camping, traveling, and watching Penn State football.

Jessica Petrick, PNP, CLC

Jessica is a board certified pediatric nurse practitioner and certified lactation counselor. A Camillus native, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from LeMoyne College with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and obtained her nursing degree from St. Joseph’s College of Nursing through the dual degree program. She has worked as a pediatric nurse in varying capacities including Pediatric Associates and the NICU at St Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. Jessica completed her Masters Degree in nursing at Stony Brook University. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, running, reading, and traveling.

Gretchin Jaworski, LPN, Nursing Supervisor

Gretchin began working at Pediatric Associates in 2011. In addition to being a nurse, she is a certified EMT. She has five children, one of whom is a United States Marine. Gretchin also has 15 years of experience as a registered family day care provider.

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For more than 50 years, parents have entrusted the care of their infants, children, and adolescents to Pediatric Associates. With 10 full-time Board Certified Pediatricians and 3 Nurse Practitioners, we provide the comprehensive healthcare your growing child needs.