Ask the VBF Experts

Dr. Gregory Levitin, Hemangioma and Malformations Surgeon
Dr. Levitin will answer your questions regarding the surgical treatment of all vascular birthmarks and tumors.



Dr. Stuart Nelson, VBF Co-Medical Director and International Port Wine Stain Laser Specialist
Dr. Nelson will answer your questions concerning the diagnosis and treatment of Port Wine Stains.



Dr. Martin Mihm, VBF Co-Medical Director and Research Director
Dr. Mihm is coordinating and directing research regarding vascular birthmarks and tumors.



Dr. Aaron Fay, Hemangioma and Malformations Eye Surgeon
Dr. Aaron Fay will answer questions concerning eye problems and birthmarks.



Dr. Roy Geronemus, NYC and International Laser Specialist
If you have a question or concern about laser treatments in general, contact Dr. Geronemus.



Dr. Barry Zide, NYC Hemangioma and Malformations Surgeon
If you have a question or concern about hemangioma and vascular malformation treatment in general, contact Dr. Zide.



Dr. Darren Orbach, Pediatric Neurointerventionalist for AVMs and PHACE
VBF is proud to welcome Dr. Orbach!



Corinne Barinaga, VBF Family Services Director
Corinne Barinaga, our Administrative Director, will answer emails concerning family advocacy, treatment questions, or physician referral.



Dr. Robert Rosen, Vascular Lesions of Arms and Legs Interventional Radiologist
Our expert for all non-brain AVMs and vascular lesions of the arms and legs, Dr. Rosen welcomes your questions.



Brian Bolinger, Esq. Director VBF Advocacy Alliance
This alliance is being formed to coordinate legislative, legal, and insurance related issues regarding the diagnosis and treatment of vascular birthmarks and tumors.



Dr. Anne Comi, Sturge Weber Syndrome Specialist
One of the leading experts on Sturge Weber Syndrome, Dr. Comi will be responding to your questions concerning this syndrome.



Dr. Alex Berenstein, Malformations and AVM Interventional Radiologist




Dr. Kami Delfanian, KTS Treatment Specialist
Send your questions concerning KT Syndrome to Dr. Delfanian



Dr. Gary Giangola, KTS Treatment Specialist
If you have questions concerning the surgical treatment of KTS or other vascular lesions of the arms, legs, or trunk, contact Dr Giangola.



Basia Joyce, VBF Insurance Appeals Specialist
Please send your questions regarding your appeal or request for out-of-network treatment to Basia.



Dr. Joseph Edmonds, Lymphatic Malformations Surgeon
Ask Dr. Edmonds your questions related to Lymphatic Malformations.



Dr. Thomas Serena, Wound Care Specialist
Please send Dr. Serena your questions regarding wound care for an ulcerated hemangioma or other vascular birthmark, tumor, or syndrome that requires wound care.



Dr. Orhan Konez, Interventional Radiologist
Questions regarding reading and interpreting films and treating malformations with sclerotherapy or embollization can be sent to Dr. Orhan Konez.



Dr. Jason Mouzakes, Airway Surgeon
Email Dr. Mouzakes with questions regarding airway hemangiomas and other vascular lesions in the airway (throat area).



Dr. Steven Fishman, Internal Lesions Surgeon

Ask Dr. Fishman your questions about liver and other internal vascular lesions.



Dr. Susie Astner, European Laser Specialist
VBF's Ask the Laser Doctor offers expert advice on laser treatments for all vascular birthmarks by Dr. Susie Astner.



Dr. Denise Metry, PHACE Syndrome Specialist
If you have any questions regarding this syndrome, please ask Dr. Metry.



Dr. Stavros Tombris, European Surgeon
Fr. Tombris treats all forms of hemangomas, port wine stains and malformations.



Dr. Stevan Thompson, Military (Tricare) Surgeon
Dr. Stevan Thompson has joined us to answer questions concerning the treatment of vascular birthmarks in the military.



Dr. Helen Figge, Pharmacist
If you or your child has a vascular birthmark and you have a question regarding a prescription drug, please ask Doc Helen Figge.



Dr. Linda Rozell-Shannon, VBF President and Founder
Dr. Linda Rozell-Shannon is the leading lay expert in the world on the subject of vascular birthmarks.



Lex Van der Heijden, CMTC Foundation

If you or your child has CMTC, please contact Lex with your questions.



Leslie Graff, East Coast Developmental Specialist
Leslie is a trained developmental specialist. Send questions concerning port wine stains and this topic to Leslie.



Elissa-Uretsky Rifkin, Midwest Developmental Specialist
Elissa Uretsky- Rifkin, M.Ed. CMHC
is a trained developmental specialist and is on the board of VBF. Send questions concerning hemangiomas and this topic to Elissa.



Kymberly Stephens, Licensed Associate Counselor
Ask our expert Kymberly Stephens about issues stemming from prominent birthmarks, disfigurements, or image related issues associated with genetics, trauma, burn or accident situations.



Nancy Roberts - Make-up Specialist
Ask our expert Nancy Roberts, Co-Creator of Smart Cover Cosmetics (www.smartcover.com), your questions about make-up.



Linda Seidel - Make-up Expert
Ask Linda Seidel your questions about make-up.



Zeina Tannous, M.D., Laser Dermatology Expert
Ask our expert Dr. Tannous, your questions about laser dermatology.



Anna Duarte, M.D., Florida Expert
Ask our expert Dr. Duarte, your questions about receiving treatment in Florida.



Alicita, Spanish Expert
Ask our expert Alicita, your questions in Spanish.



What Our Families Are Saying About Us

"We relied on the Vascular Birthmarks Foundation to provide us with the information, the contacts, the resources, and the support that we needed to get through this difficult time. Their theme, "We are making a difference" couldn't be more accurate. For us, it was all the difference in the world."
Jill Brown


Hi Linda
Just a note to say how wonderful I found the interview of you and Capital 9 news. Thanks so much for your devotion.
Gina




Information for Parents

VBF Vascular Birthmarks Brochure - Download and Print - A comprehensive brochure describing all vascular birthmark types, syndromes and treatment options. To print, click here (you will need the Acrobat Reader to view and print this document).




Ulcer Care and Treatment (pdf)




How to Appeal an Insurance Denial or Request Out-of-Network Treatment (pdf)




A Parent's Guide to Oral Steroids (pdf) - Many parents have so many questions about the long- and short- term effects of oral steroids.




Treatment for Port Wine Stain - A Guide for Parents and Children




"Everyone Deserves to Look Normal": The Communication of Uncertainty, Support, and Information in an Online Community for Families Affected by a Vascular Birthmark
Liesbeth Wiering
M.A. Candidate
San Diego State University




Doctor Visit Survey Have you been seen by a doctor to assess a vascular birthmark? Please click here and complete our survey. This survey will be used to provide feedback to the doctors about the information and treatment they provide to families affected by a vascular birthmark. Complete your survey and mail to Corinne Barinaga, VBF Director of Information Services, 23028 146th Dr. SE Snohomish WA. 98296.




New! Example Letter for Insurance Appeals




Before you visit, email, or speak to a birthmark specialist, be sure to read our Checklist for Parents! Provided by Corinne Barinaga, it's a wonderful, detailed list to make sure the physician has all needed information.




Hope For Families Dealing With Lymphatic Malformations
Read about the Chase family and their journey to find help for their son's lymphatic malformation.




Psychosocial and Emotional Issues for Individuals with a Port Wine Stain




Simple things you can do to manage KTS (Dr. Delfanian and Linda Shannon)




Dr. Rosen's Vascular Birthmark Information for Parents




Do you want an evaluation with Dr. Waner and the Beth Israel Team? Please complete the attached form and forward it as directed. (MS Word Document)

 
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