SightMD Physicians named 2023 Super Doctors® and Rising Stars


“I’m honored to be selected by the committee.” said Dr. Rafailov “I feel fortunate to work with a wonderful team of doctors and support staff that help me strive in providing the best care possible for my patients.”

SightMD is excited to announce the growing list of providers that have been named on the 2023 “Super Doctor” and “Super Doctors Rising Stars” lists.

Dr. Samuel Baharestani, Dr. Jonathan Ellant, Dr. James Gordon, Dr. Faye Knoll, Dr. Michelle Liebert, Dr. Jeff Martin, and Dr. Norman Saffra were recognized as among the best in their field by the “2023 New York Super Doctors” report. The number of doctors who receive this honor is limited to approximately five percent of the region’s active physicians.

Additionally, Dr. Gaurav Chandra, Dr. Brad Kligman, Dr. Amy Mehta, Dr. Alanna Nattis, Dr. Leon Rafailov, Dr. Eric Rosenberg, Dr. Shetal Shah, and Dr. Sabah Shah were recognized as “Super Doctors Rising Stars” for having demonstrated noteworthy achievements early in their careers. The number of doctors who receive this honor is limited to approximately 2.5 percent of the region’s active physicians.

Each year, MSP Communications undertakes a rigorous multi-step process designed to identify healthcare providers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Super Doctors is a selective yet diverse listing of outstanding doctors, representing consumer-oriented medical specialties As part of this evaluation, physicians are asked to consider the following question: “If you needed medical care in one of the following practice areas, which doctor would you choose?”

Samuel Baharestani, MD is a board certified ophthalmologist specializing in oculoplastic surgery. He treats conditions involving the eyelids, tear duct, and orbit, along with cosmetic surgery of the eyelids and eyebrows helping patients not only see better but feel bad about their appearance. “I am truly humbled to be voted a Super Doctor by my peers once again.” said Dr. Baharestani “It is an honor to provide our patients with the highest level oculoplastic surgery services at SightMD.” Dr. Baharestani has extensive training in non-surgical rejuvenation of the face with Botox, fillers, and chemical peels. As an ophthalmic plastic surgeon, he is able to combine the cosmetic principles of plastic surgery with the microsurgery of ophthalmology to achieve the best aesthetic results for his patients.

Jonathan Ellant, MD is a board certified, Fellowship-trained cataract and refractive surgeon. He believes strongly that by listening to his patients he can provide them with the best medical and surgical care possible. Dr. Jonathan Ellant has trained as a corneal specialist and performs cataract and LASIK surgeries. He utilizes the most advanced technologies available in order to deliver the best possible vision to meet the needs and desires of his patients.

James Gordon, MD is a board certified ophthalmologist and oculofacial surgeon with over 20 years of experience. He has particular expertise in the handling of challenging and complex cases involving the sensitive areas of concern around patients’ eyelids. He has published numerous papers and has given extensive lectures on ocular disease and eyelids and facial cosmetic procedures, including innovative techniques for fillers & injectables.

​​Faye Knoll, MD is a board certified ophthalmologist specializing in both laser and traditional cataract surgery as well as laser vision correction including LASIK and PRK. Dr. Knoll completed a fellowship at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in cornea and external diseases of the eye. Her favorite part of her job is developing lifelong relationships with her patients.

Michelle Liebert, MD is a board certified pediatric ophthalmologist specializing in strabismus surgery. Dr. Liebert takes a personal interest in each and every one of her patients, caring for each as if they were her own. One of her favorite aspects of being a doctor is that she can follow her patients from prematurity until adulthood.

Jeffrey Martin, MD is a board certified ophthalmologist and is President and Co-Founder of SightMD. Dr. Martin joined his father’s ophthalmology practice in 1997 and is proud to have helped it become a regional leader in eye care. Dr. Martin is a specialist in both LASIK and cataract surgery.

Norman A. Saffra, MD is one of the nation’s leading ophthalmic laser and microsurgeons and is known for his expertise in treating diseases that cause visual loss and had been named a castle connolly top doctor for over 25 years. Dr.Saffra is an expert in conditions affecting the posterior segment of the eye, specifically those that involve the optic nerve, or the retina and vitreous. This is the twelfth year that Dr. Saffra has been recognized as a New York “Super Doctor” putting him on the Hall of Fame list of doctors.

Gaurav Chandra, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologist who specializes in the medical management of retinal disease and uveitis. “I am grateful to be selected to the “Super Doctors Rising Stars list” for a second consecutive year,” said Dr. Chandra “This honor is a testament to the wonderful physicians and staff I have had the pleasure to work with, and the patients that have trusted us with their care.” In addition to his practice, Dr. Chandra is an assistant clinical professor at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary where he supervises resident physicians and fellows in the uveitis clinic. Dr. Chandra is driven to provide outstanding care to patients and considers it a privilege to help improve their ocular health and sight.

Brad Kligman, MD is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained cornea, LASIK and cataract surgery specialist. “I am truly honored to be selected as a Super Doctors Rising Star for the 5th year in a row.” said Dr. Kligman “It is a pleasure to practice in my own community with the opportunity to care for my friends, family members and neighbors. Thanks to the support from SightMD, I am able to offer my patients the newest and greatest technologies available for optimizing vision medically and surgically.” Throughout his training, Brad Kligman, M.D. has been extensively involved in research, publishing over 20 peer-reviewed articles, textbook chapters and abstracts. He has presented his research at both national and international conferences on topics ranging from ocular tumors, to corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) and corneal transplant techniques.

Amy Mehta, MD is a cataract surgeon and glaucoma fellowship-trained ophthalmologist. She specializes in the latest breakthroughs in cataract and glaucoma management and surgical techniques at our Rockville Center office. “I am honored to be included in such a talented group of dedicated surgeons and physicians,” said Dr. Mehta. Dr. Mehta also teaches ophthalmology residents at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and serves as an Executive Board Member of the New York State Ophthalmological Society. Dr. Mehta has a passion for sustainable initiatives in ophthalmologic practices and serves on the Editorial Board for EyeSustain.

Alanna Nattis, DO is a cornea, cataract and refractive surgeon, as well as the Director of Clinical Research at SightMD, and an associate professor in ophthalmology and surgery at NYIT-College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is also Director of Corneal transplantation at Good Samaritan Hospital. “It is truly an honor to be nominated and included in this phenomenal and impressive group of surgeons.” said Dr. Nattis “I continue to strive for a career that will enhance my patients’ lives through their vision, as well as offer the newest and best in ophthalmic innovations available.” During residency and her fellowship, Dr. Nattis published over 15 articles in peer-reviewed journals, wrote 2 textbook chapters, and has co-authored a landmark ophthalmology textbook designed to help guide and teach surgical techniques to residents and fellows. Dr. Nattis continues to be involved in clinical research in ophthalmology and regularly presents at national specialty meetings.

Leon Rafailov, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmic plastic surgeon who focuses on a wide range of plastic and reconstructive surgery in the area around the eyes. His areas of expertise include the eyelids, forehead, mid-face, orbit, and tear ducts. Dr. Rafailov takes pride in helping his patients gain confidence in seeing better and feeling better about their appearance. “I’m honored to be selected by the committee.” said Dr. Rafailov “I feel fortunate to work with a wonderful team of doctors and support staff that help me strive in providing the best care possible for my patients.” Dr. Rafailov has successfully completed thousands of surgeries in reconstructive, cosmetic, functional, and orbital surgery.

Eric Rosenberg, DO specializes in advanced corneal transplant techniques and procedures, cataract and laser vision correction surgery, as well as complex anterior segment surgery. In the last three years he has produced 25+ journal and article publications, 5 book chapters, and a full textbook used by many residents and fellows throughout the world titled “Operative Dictations in Ophthalmology”, and continues to pursue multiple research projects in the field of cornea, refractive, and external diseases. He is passionate about education in addition to the integration between technology, engineering, and medicine. Dr. Rosenberg aims not only to improve your vision in the immediate future, but to advance the field in order to improve the future vision of your entire family for decades to come.

Sabah Shah, MD is a highly skilled ophthalmologist who specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of retinal diseases. She enjoys meeting new patients and is passionate about being able to help restore vision and independence to those who need it.

Shetal Shah, MD is a board certified and fellowship trained cornea specialist and comprehensive ophthalmologist at SightMD. Dr. Shah enjoys focusing on patient education and customizing treatment plans that utilize the latest technologies to better your eye health and vision.

SightMD ophthalmologists recognized this year span the full range of care offered to the patients within the practice. Individuals on the list include professionals from the Cataract and Comprehensive Eye Care, Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Medical & Surgical Disease of the Retina, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Glaucoma, Cornea, Neuro-Ophthalmology services.

About SightMD

SightMD is a rapidly-growing integrated ophthalmic provider group, offering patients access to over 80 eye care providers through the convenience of 40 locations across New York. SightMD’s track record of providing clinically-excellent care spans over 50 years, and its services include general eye exams, laser cataract surgery and lens implantation, glaucoma management, retinal disorder treatment, corneal services, neuro-ophthalmology, LASIK laser vision correction, oculoplastic surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, and audiology. Sight Growth Partners is the administrative services provider for SightMD as well as SightMD Connecticut, SightMD New Jersey, and SightMD Pennsylvania. For more information about SightMD, please visit https://www.sightmd.com/sightmd-ny

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