THE VASCULAR BIRTHMARK INSTITUTE

The Vascular Birthmark Institute of New York was founded by Co-Directors, Milton Waner and Alejandro Berenstein. Dr. Waner is an internationally recognized expert and a pioneer in the treatment of hemangiomas and vascular malformations. His colleague, Dr. Berenstein is a renowned endovascular surgeon who heads the Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

Our mission is to continue to provide world-class care in the diagnosis, treatment, management, and research of all vascular birthmarks.

Vascular birthmarks: What are they?
The most common forms of vascular birthmarks are hemangiomas, venous malformations, portwine stains, arteriovenous malformations, and lymphatic malformations.

How are they treated?
There are a variety of treatments including steroids, lasers, embolization, surgical excision or combined therapies which may be used depending on the diagnosis. We use a tailored, yet tested approach to therapy as no child or birthmark is the same.

Dr. Waner is also committed to understanding the nature and etiology of vascular tumors through active basic science and clinical research. Through his affiliation with the Nevada Cancer Institute, cutting-edge research is being performed in this field. His team recently showed that hemangiomas are stem cell tumors. This may shed new light in the development of novel medical therapies.

Our multidisciplinary team approach to patient care is provided by specialists from pediatric facial plastic surgery, endovascular surgery, head and neck surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, dermatology, pediatric hematology-oncology, pediatrics and patient advocacy.

Our Physicians

Milton Waner, MD, FCS(SA)
Pediatric Facial Plastic Surgery
Co-Director of Vascular Birthmark Institute

Gregory Levitin, MD, FACS
Pediatric Facial Plastic Surgery
Co-Director Surgical Services, Vascular Birthmark Institute