Health Center

Medical Directors

Dr. Jeff Maher
Brunswick, ME
For many years the Medical Director at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, Dr. Maher completed his education at Eastern Virginia Medical School after earning his BA from Georgetown. He’s a family doctor in the Brunswick area, a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine, and a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. An affiliate medical staff member at Mid-Coast Hospital, Dr. Maher was essential in coordinating in-person learning for Bowdoin and many other NESCAC schools during the Covid pandemic. Welcome back for summer #2, Dr. J!

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. She specializes in Emergency Medicine on Long Island. Dr. Steele has been a practicing physician for more than 20 years and is known for her ability to think on her feet and work under pressure. Affiliated with the Long Island College Hospital and Jericho Urgent Care, she has become an absolute fan-favorite in the Health Center as she begins summer #7 at Laurel.

Visiting Physicians

Dr. Rose Knudsen
Halloweel, ME
A practicing doctor in Maine, Dr. Knudsen comes to us through Dr. Maher. She graduated from Charité Medical University in Berlin and has worked in several camp settings. Dr. Knudsen is a professional member of the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Dr. Alan Benvenisty
New York, 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 Presbyterian Hospital for eighteen years and is on the faculty at Columbia where he is currently a professor of surgery. He’s also the grandparent of Laurel campers Aviva, Leo and Judah Epstein. Welcome Dr. Benvenisty!

Dr. Evan Sherman
Delray Beach, FL
A pediatric emergency medicine physician in Boynton Beach, Florida, Dr. Sherman earned his medical degree at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his residency at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York and a fellowship at Children’s National Medical Center Pediatric in Washington, DC. Welcome back for summer #2, Dr. Sherman!

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 great daughters, she returns to Laurel for summer #5. Cara is the person who makes it all happen at the Laurel Health Center. She’s an indispensable part of our team.

Health Center Coordinators

Kathryn Phillips
New York, 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 currently teaches at the Brick Church School in Manhattan. 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. We welcome back Kathryn, who, with Cara, keeps the Health Center running at full throttle. We love having her on our team.

Robin Fierro
Manahawkin, NJ

Nurses

Nurse Assistants

Medical Driver