Administrative Director, Victor Center

National Outreach Coordinator/Genetic Counselor, Victor Center
deborah.wasserman@nicklaushealth.org

Deborah Wasserman is a genetic counselor with over 25 years experience in prenatal diagnosis and medical genetics clinics. As the genetic counselor for the Victor Center for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases, Miami, she provides genetic counseling for Ashkenazi Jewish genetic diseases to students, newlywed couples and other patients. Ms. Wasserman provides follow-up counseling and support for those found to be carriers.

As the outreach coordinator at the Victor Center, Miami, she is the liaison between the Victor Center and community. She is available to run educational programs about the Victor Center and Jewish genetic disease screening, tailored to your organizations needs and interests. Contact her if you are interested in learning more about the Victor Center, organizing a community or campus screening, or getting screened in our office at deborah.wasserman@nicklaushealth.org.

Medical Director, Victor Center

Dr. Aftab is Vice President of Administration, Physician Enterprise, with the Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists, the physician-led multispecialty group practice of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. She is a neonatologist and chief for the Section of Neonatology and Perinatal Medicine at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Dr. Aftab is also medical director of the Fetal Care Center. She earned her medical degree from King Edward Medical University in Lahore, Pakistan. Dr. Aftab then pursued a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in neonatal perinatal medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. Her clinical and research interests are focused on delivery room resuscitation and incorporating high fidelity simulation in practice to ensure the highest quality of care in code situations.

Dr. Aftab is board certified in both general pediatrics and neonatology. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, she has presented at national and international conferences and is frequently sought out as a subject-matter expert by the media.

The Fetal Care Center at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is dedicated to families expecting an infant with medical needs that require intervention at birth. The program offers comprehensive, coordinated care from prenatal diagnosis to delivery, postnatal care and the transition to infant care.

Director of Major Gifts, Victor Center 
shari.debowsky@nicklaushealth.org

Shari Debowsky is a Marketing, Operations, Fundraising and Outreach professional with over 16 years of experience in the non-profit sector. As the Director of Major Gifts for the Victor Center for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases, she helps to secure donor dollars in order for the Victor Center team to provide the highest quality outreach, awareness and educational events for the Ashkenazi Jewish population across our country. Previous to her time at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Victor Center, Shari spent 14 years at Temple Beth Am in Pinecrest. Shari has a passion for pre-conception genetics as her and her husband are both Tay-Sachs carriers. She believes that knowledge is power and knowing what is in your genes allows you to make informed decisions when you are ready to plan for your family.

Shari holds a BA in Holocaust and Judaic Studies as well as a Certificate in Ethnic Studies from Florida Atlantic University.
Contact her if you are interested in learning more about the Victor Center, organizing a community educational program, community screening, or bringing the Victor Center to your neighborhood. Shari can be reached at 786-624-2051 or shari.debowsky@nicklaushealth.org