Meet Crutches 4 Kids' Board of Directors
Our influential Board of Directors is passionate about helping us bring mobility to those in need.
CHRISTOPHER S. AHMAD, M.D.
Dr. Christopher Ahmad is a Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and an Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon at the New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. He is the Head Team Physician for the New York Yankees and the Rockland Boulders, as well as the New York City Football Club. He has authored more than 250 articles and book chapters related to shoulder, elbow and sports medicine and has given more than 300 lectures nationally and internationally. He conducts ongoing research in the areas of throwing-related injury prevention and treatment, ACL injury prevention and screening biomechanics of the elbow, and surgical techniques for rotator cuff repair and shoulder instability. Dr. Ahmad has received many awards for outstanding research in the field of sports medicine
VINCENT A. BENENATI
Vincent Benenati is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of East Coast Orthotic & Prosthetic Corp (ECOP). A Certified Orthotist, Mr. Benenati leads one of the most innovative, fastest growing, service-oriented O&P companies in the industry. Forming ECOP with his brother, Lawrence, in 1997 with four employees, he grew the company to be the largest privately-owned O&P firm in the New York metropolitan area. ECOP is located on-site at some of the most prestigious hospitals in New York and has garnered accolades for its quality patient care. Mr. Benenati is most proud of his philanthropic efforts, many of which have involved trips to developing countries and visits to see patients in need around the world. Mr. Benenati volunteer efforts include working with the Children of China Pediatrics Foundation and Alexandra's Playground.
JAMES E. BURTSON
Since July 2015, Jim Burtson is the Chief Financial Officer of Creative Artists Agency (“CAA”). Prior to joining CAA, Mr. Burtson served as Time Warner, Inc.’s Senior Vice President, overseeing the company’s global mergers and acquisitions efforts. At Time Warner, Jim led the spin-offs of Time Warner Cable, AOL and Time Inc. that transformed the company into the focused content and networks media enterprise it is today. In addition, Jim oversaw multiple strategic network, content, and new media acquisitions and investments. Previously, he led Time Warner’s Investor Relations initiatives, earning the company Institutional Investor magazine’s highest ranking in the sector. Jim earned his M.B.A. and B.A. from Columbia University.
JEME CIOPPA-MOSCA, PT, MBA
Jeme Cioppa-Mosca is the Senior Vice President of the Rehabilitation Department at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York, New York. Ms. Cioppa-Mosca oversees the vision, strategic planning and development of the 300 FTE multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Department and its sub-specialities (Acute Care, Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Sports Rehabilitation and Performance, Spine Therapy, Hand and Upper Extremity Therapy, Pediatrics, the Leon Root, MD Motion Analysis Laboratory, Integrative Care Center, and HSS Spine & Sport in Jupiter, FL.). She is also the Founder and Director of the HSS Rehabilitation Network, a preferred provider organization of over 150 independently owned and operated therapy practices throughout the tri-state area and Florida. Ms. Cioppa-Mosca oversees the management contract governing the provision of Prosthetics & Orthotics services to the institution. Ms. Cioppa-Mosca earned her M.B.A. from Pace University and her B.S. degree in Physical Therapy from Russell Sage College in Troy, New York.
MARGARET CROTTY
Margaret Crotty is the Executive Director at Partnership with Children. She has a record of successful leadership and innovation in both the nonprofit and private sectors in education, public health and technology. Prior to joining Partnership with Children, Margaret launched and managed Save the Children International’s $2 billion initiative to reduce child mortality in the developing world. Previously, she was the President and CEO of AFS-USA, which has provided intercultural exchanges for over 300,000 high school students since 1947. Margaret has also served as the Executive Director of a workforce development agency serving New York City and Washington, DC. In the private sector, Margaret spent seven years at the global corporation EF Education, the world’s largest privately-held education company. A member of the founding management team of EF’s online education business, she later served as President of EF’s higher education business. Margaret graduated with honors from Princeton University and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Marcus Forman
Marcus Forman, DPT, is a licensed and board certified Doctor of Physical Therapy. In 2001, Marcus founded Forman Physical Therapy, a progressive outpatient physical therapy practice. Marcus works in conjunction with trainers and other healthcare professionals in a team approach to treating the individual client as a whole person. In 2012 he partnered with Deanie Barth, MSPT and formed Centurion Physical Therapy (152 West 57th Street). Marcus has been a clinical instructor for New York University’s and Columbia University’s Physical Therapy Program since 1997.
SAMANTHA FRENCHMAN
Samantha Frenchman is a Litigation Associate at Meister Seelig & Fein LLP in New York, where she works on complex commercial disputes. Samantha earned her law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and is currently admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey. While in law school, Samantha served as Business Editor to the Cardozo Public Law, Policy and Ethics Journal. She also served as a law clerk for the Cardozo Bet Tzedek Civil Litigation Clinic, where she represented individuals with disabilities who could not afford private counsel in a range of civil cases. Samantha received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis.
LOUIS A. SHAPIRO, FACHE
Louis A. Shapiro joined Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) as its President and Chief Executive Officer in October, 2006. With over 25 years of healthcare experience, Mr. Shapiro oversees all strategic and operational aspects of HSS across all segments of its mission including patient care, teaching and research. Mr. Shapiro previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania. Mr. Shapiro is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a member of the Regional Policy Board for the American Hospital Association, a Board member at the Greater New York Hospital Association and a member of the Young Presidents Organization. Mr. Shapiro earned his B.S. and M.H.A degrees from the University of Pittsburg.
BETH SHUBIN STEIN, M.D.
Dr. Beth Shubin Stein is the Chair for Crutches 4 Kids. She is an Associate Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, fellowship trained in Sports Medicine and shoulder surgery. She is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. She has a practice and research focus on patella instability as well all sports medicine related injuries. Dr. Shubin Stein trained at Columbia College and University for both her undergraduate and medical degrees as well as her orthopaedic residency.
KENNETH SHUBIN STEIN, MD, MPH, MS, CPH, CFA
Dr. Ken Shubin Stein is the Chairman Emeritus for Crutches 4 Kids. He is a graduate of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine where he completed a 5-year medical and research program with a focus on molecular genetics. He graduated with a B.A. degree from Columbia College with dual concentrations in Premedical Studies and Political Science. Ken completed his orthopedic surgery internship at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He graduated from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health with both a Master's in Public Health and a Master’s in Science in Epidemiology. The National Board of Public Health Examiners has recognized Ken as Certified in Public Health (CPH). He holds the CFA designation and is an Adjunct Professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business where he teaches the Advanced Investment Research course.
Ken is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Crutches 4 Kids, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing crutches and other mobility devices to children in need around the world. Ken is also Co-Founder of the International Concussion Society which provides a central resource for accurate and scientifically vetted concussion research. He graduated with a certificate from the Owner/President Management Program (OPM) at Harvard Business School in March 2018, and he is a member of YPO and Chairman Emeritus of YPO Manhattan.
HILLARY YAFFE
Hillary Yaffe is a Vice President at Lazard Asset Management, where she leads communications in North America. Previously, she was an Associate Vice President at Prosek Partners in New York, where she worked with financial services firms mostly in the traditional and alternative asset management space. Prior to joining Prosek, she worked at Burson-Marsteller as a strategic media relations advisor to both corporate clients and asset managers. Hillary's passion for charitable work was sparked while working in Edelman's healthcare practice supporting pharmaceutical companies in their patient advocacy and disease state awareness campaigns. Her time in Washington D.C. working on Capitol Hill and at The Glover Park Group gave her exposure and experience working on grassroots, influencer and legislative-driven campaigns. Hillary holds a bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University in both International Business and Marketing.
Tara Liddle, MPT
Tara Liddle is a pediatric physical therapist and is currently the Regional Director of Pediatric Physical Therapy at Motion PT Group. She was in private practice for over 20 years prior to her current position. She is also the author of “Why Motor Skills Matter-Improve your Child’s Physical Development to Enhance Learning and Self-Esteem", Tara is an active fundraiser for many charities close to her heart. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for Empowers Africa, whose main mission is to create lasting and sustainable change in Africa by funding programs for conservation, education, healthcare, and business opportunities. Tara is an avid outdoor athlete; a runner, cyclist and skier. She also loves traveling and supporting the arts. She resides in NYC with her husband and two children. Tara graduated from NYU with an Masters Degree in Developmental Disabilities and a BS in Physical Therapy.
steve frenchman
Steve Frenchman is the Co-Owner of NYC Social Sports LLC and owner of Lawyers & Corporate Athletic League.