Medical Director
Dr. Jennifer Steele
Lloyd Harbor, NY
Dr. Steele completed her undergraduate degree at Union College before attending the University of New England College of Medicine, where she graduated with honors. Specializing in Emergency Medicine and practicing for more than 20 years, she’s known for her ability to think on her feet and work under pressure. Dr. Steele is currently affiliated with the Long Island College Hospital and Jericho Urgent Care and has become an absolute fan-favorite in the Health Center as she begins summer #10 at Laurel.
Visiting Physicians
Dr. Alan Benvenisty
New York City, NY
A professor and doctor at Mount Sinai, Dr. Benvenisty graduated from Union College summa cum laude as valedictorian before graduating from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. He served at NY Presbyterian Hospital for 18 years and is currently Professor of Clinical Surgery and Director of the St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Surgical clerkship at Columbia. Dr. Benvenisty has been recognized by Castle Connolly as one of New York’s and America’s Top Doctors and is a member of numerous surgical societies. Welcome back for summer #4, Dr. Benvenisty!
Dr. Louis Cohen
New York City, NY
Dr. Cohen returns for his second summer at Laurel. A Gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, he earned his degree from Tufts University School of Medicine, and also works with the Icahn School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology. Dr. Cohen is an NIH-funded researcher whose findings, focused on host-microbial interactions concerning the treatment of Crohn’s Disease, have been widely published in books and peer-reviewed journals. Welcome back to Laurel, Dr. Cohen!
Dr. Brian Jacob
Demarest, NJ
We welcome Dr. Jacob back to Laurel for his third summer. Dr. Jacob is a globally acclaimed robotic and minimally invasive general bariatric surgeon who graduated from Wayne State University Medical School before completing his training at Mount Sinai Hospital and the NY Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. He’s been a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, the American Hernia Society and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. He has been recognized as one of the best hernia surgeons and a NY Top Doctor for several consecutive years. We’re absolutely thrilled to have Dr. Jacob in our Health Center.
Dr. Starr Koslow Mautner
Miami, FL
Joining us for her first summer, Dr. Starr Koslow Mautner is a board certified surgeon specializing in surgical oncology. A graduate of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Dr. Mautner completed both her research and breast surgical oncology clinical fellowships at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and her general surgery residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital where she was chief resident. She is a member of many medical associations including the American College of Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncology, American Society of Breast Surgeons, and the Association of Women Surgeons. We welcome Dr. Mautner to Laurel!
Dr. Shari Goldfarb
New York, NY
Making her first appearance in Maine, Dr. Shari Goldfarb is a medical oncologist who graduated from Cornell University with honors in Nutritional Sciences followed by receiving her medical degree from Upstate University. She subsequently completed her Internal Medicine training at NYU and Hematology and Oncology fellowship training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She is a board certified medical oncologist who practices breast medical oncology at MSKCC. Dr. Goldfarb is currently involved in clinical trials focused on survivorship research for cancer patients to improve quality of life with an emphasis on long-term health and improved outcomes. She is involved in many international organizations such as American Society of Clinical Oncology, International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health and Scientific Network on Female Sexual Health and Cancer. Welcome to Laurel, Dr. Goldfarb!
Nurse Manager
Cara Seifart
St. Augustine, FL
A Chamberlain College of Nursing graduate and previously the supervisor of Maternal and Child Programs with the Florida Department of Health, Cara has a wealth of experience with ambulatory and outpatient settings. She currently manages the clinical staff at a wound care and hyperbaric center. A skillful presenter of health and wellness information as well as the mom of two wonderful daughters, she returns to Laurel for summer #8. Cara is the person who makes it all happen at the Laurel Health Center. She’s an indispensable part of our team, and we’re so lucky and truly thrilled to have her back!
Health Center Coordinator
Kathryn Phillips
New York City, NY
Kathryn earned her BA at Colgate University and her Masters of Education from Tufts University. She taught and coached at the Noble and Greenough School for nine years and at the Brick Church School in Manhattan. In 2023, Kathryn was unanimously elected to serve on the Board of Directors for Runway for Recovery, where she also took on the title of Assistant Director of Programs this past September. Her husband, Josh, was our Boys Head Counselor before founding Camp Uncommon. Her daughter, Savannah, completed her Super Senior year in 2021 after nine Laurel summers and is now a sophomore at the University of Virginia returning to Laurel for her first summer as a counselor. We welcome back Kathryn, who, with Cara, keeps the Health Center running at full throttle. We love having her on our team!