Feel Better Kids, Inc. was developed to help children ages 17 years and younger who are terminally ill and/or disabled.
Feel Better Kids Home Feel Better Kids Get Involved Feel Better Kids Feel Better Kids Testimonials Feel Better Kids Contact Us Feel Better Kids Staff Feel Better Kids Thank You's Feel Better Kids Supporters Feel Better Kids Links Feel Better Kids FAQ's
 
Feel Better Kids - Donate Your Old Car
Meet the Feel Better Kids Staff...

Chris Gigante

President

In 2001, Chris founded the Feel Better Kids, Inc. organization.  Over the past four years, Chris has been awarded the “Making a Difference Award ” from the Town of Hempstead, “Unsung Hero” award from Rotary, Good Citizenship award from Mercy First and written up in Long Island Business News for his outstanding efforts and accomplishments.  Chris has also been awarded with the Children’s Empowerment Award, as is a member of the Business Advisory Council.  Chris continues his efforts in growing Feel Better Kids into a widespread organization that will one day reach out to the Metro New York area.

Howard Rombom, Ph. D.
Vice President

Dr. Howard M. Rombom, a psychologist, is the founder and director of Behavioral Medicine Associates, which provides psychological/behavioral health care services in offices throughout the New York metropolitan area.

Dr. Rombom received his doctoral degree from Hofstra University and has worked for the New York City Department of Health, was on the faculty of the Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Health, and directed the behavior therapy program at the Child Development Clinic of Long Island Jewish Hospital.

Dr. Rombom has been an innovator in providing short-term care for patients suffering from problems related to physical injury and disease.  His practice treats individuals suffering from trauma and those experiencing psychological/behavioral problems as a result of physical injury or illness.  Dr. Rombom is a member of numerous professional organizations, and is often called upon as an expert witness in cases of psychological injury. 


Susan Hudson
Secretary

Susan has been involved with PTA for many years and has a child of her own. She has helped parents of children with disabilities and guides them to various agencies and support groups that can best serve their needs. Susan has been active in her community with various fundraising events and understands the importance for an organization like Feel Better Kids. She has been instrumental in the organizations fundraising campaigns and is well respected throughout the community.

Jeffrey Stahl, M.D.
Director

Dr. Stahl is a cardiologist who strongly believes in the importance of the Feel Better Kids organization. He is a member of St. Frances Hospital and a very well respected and influential person throughout his community. Dr. Stahl benefits the Feel Better Kids organization greatly by his extensive knowledge of various physicians who can help with the needs of children we serve.  In addition, he plays an important role in prioritizing the applications of families who apply for help.  It is through his expertise that we are able to know which child is in the most critical need of medical support.

Joseph Gigante
Director

Joseph has been in the Human Resource field for his entire career. Joseph’s expertise is the understanding of various insurance carriers, brokers and plans. He has helped Feel Better Kids through his knowledge of the most affordable insurance plans to put families on which can best serve their needs.  Many families contact Feel Better Kids indicating their family insurance plan is extremely high and their income is moderate to low.  With Joseph’s expertise, he will direct these families to insurance plans, which are more affordable to their budget. He has also been instrumental in helping with our fundraising campaigns.

Stephen Distefano
Director

Steven has worked with various children over the past five years in coaching ice hockey at the “Might League” in addition to children with disabilities.  He helps instill confidence and self esteem in these children, which makes them face the world with a positive outlook. Stephen also suffers from Epilepsy so he understands what children and parents of children go through on a daily basis. He relates to these children from first hand experience and knows how to best communicate with them.

Jaman L. Kim, C.P.A., P.C.
Advisory Committee

Jaman Kim has worked with FBK for over two years during the development and growth of the organization.  He is a valuable resource in keeping the organization’s records accounted for as well as financial planning for the upcoming years. FBK contacts Jaman on a regular basis for financial advice as well as budgetary information.

Daniel Osojnak, Esq.
Advisory Committee

Daniel is one of the attorneys who have worked with FBK to register the organization as a not-for-profit corporation.  He has worked closely with the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Treasury and New York State Department of Taxation Finance.

Michael DeGrottole
Advisory Committee

Michael has worked with children and adults on the Autism Spectrum for the past twenty years. He is currently the Senior Director of Programs for Mercy Home in Brooklyn New York and is the Clinical Supervisor and Consultant to the Creative Arts Therapy After School Programs at Life’s WORC, Inc. Michael is a graduate of New York University where he received his Masters degree in Music Therapy. He has worked extensively, and in varied capacities in the field of Developmental Disabilities, and is a NYS certified trainer in Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention, as well as Positive Approaches to Behavior Management. Michael acted as training consultant for United Cerebral Palsy of New York State, and worked for ten years as a part-time Music Therapist/Clinical Supervisor for the Heartsong Foundation, where he provided group therapy for children with special needs. He continues his affiliation with New York University as a supervisor to graduate study field-work students.

Michael has presented at conferences for YAI, Life’s WORC and NYFAC on the use of music therapy with children on the autism spectrum. In 2002 Michael co-founded Music Therapy Project, Inc. (MTP), an organization to help promote the development of music therapy programs for children and adults with special needs. Presently, Music Therapy Project, Inc. works with numerous not for profit agencies providing group music therapy at 20 different sites throughout New York. In addition to direct therapeutic services MTP provides workshops, grant writing, new program development, and fund raising assistance. MTP has spent the past three years working with Feel Better Kids helping with events and charitable donations.