Media Contact: Theresa Jacobellis
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Huntington, NY - Russell Schiff, MD, has been named the new Chief of Pediatric Cardiology at Huntington Hospital. In this role, Dr. Schiff will provide care to infants and children of all ages, and in addition perform consultations and fetal echocardiography for pregnant women who are at risk for fetal congenital heart defects or rhythm disorders. He will also see pediatric cardiology and fetal cardiology patients locally in his new Woodbury office.

“The office in Woodbury brings the expertise of the Children's Heart Center of the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children's Medical Center and the newest state of the art equipment to the local community. The office offers extended hours to accommodate the busy lives of parents and children.” Dr. Schiff said.

The office is patient and parent-friendly, with electronic media so that children can bring their favorite games or videos to help alleviate the stress that can be triggered by a trip to the doctor. Dr. Schiff’s office is located at 43 Crossways Park Drive West, Woodbury, NY 11576. He can be reached at 516-992-5205.

The latest imaging equipment allows Dr. Schiff to perform an echocardiogram on a fetal heart as early as 15 or 16 weeks gestation, a full month earlier than was previously possible.

“Early diagnosis of fetal heart rhythm abnormalities allow the mother to take medications that can cross the placenta and save a troubled pregnancy,” explained Dr. Schiff. “If a major cardiac abnormality is found, we have the time to coordinate care with the obstetrician, pediatrician, the high risk perinatalogy and neonatalogy teams along with other specialists and surgeons, to continue the pregnancy for as long as possible to improve the odds of a successful surgical operation or medical management after birth.”

Dr. Schiff earned his medical degree from Stony Brook University School of Medicine. In addition to his Huntington Hospital post, he is also Director of Ambulatory Pediatric Cardiology for North Shore-LIJ Health System. He serves as President of the Suffolk Pediatric Society and is on the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics, New York Chapter 2. He is a member of the Advocacy Committee of the American Society of Echocardiography.

Dr. Schiff and his wife, Deborah Johnson-Schiff, reside in Dix Hills.