Holy Name Press Releases
Holy Name’s Physician Network Continues Expansion
March 23, 2026
Holy Name, the region’s leading independent health system, today announced the addition of eight new clinicians to its rapidly expanding physician network. Holy Name Physicians now includes more than 400 providers with locations throughout Northern New Jersey.
“We are very pleased to welcome these highly skilled physicians and nurse practitioners to our medical staff,” said Dr. Vasantha Kondamudi, executive vice president and chief medical officer at Holy Name. “Their breadth of experience strengthens our ability to provide exceptional healthcare close to home. With the addition of these healthcare professionals, Holy Name continues to deliver specialized, innovative care to the residents throughout Northern New Jersey.”
The following healthcare professionals joined the network:
Michele Amundson, NP is a nurse practitioner specializing in gastroenterology, dedicated to providing patient-centered digestive care. She earned her nursing degree from Mount Saint Mary College and holds a Registered Nurse First Assistant certification from the University of Rochester. She practices at Holy Name Medical Center, seeing patients in the Port Jervis location.
Marc Berman, DPM is a Secaucus-based podiatrist specializing in comprehensive surgical and non-surgical care for foot pain and sports medicine. His greatest satisfaction is helping people walk better. He is committed to empowering patients to understand their condition and how to work toward recovery. With 14 years of experience, he is highly skilled in preventing amputations and improving mobility. Dr. Berman earned his doctorate from New York College of Podiatric Medicine and completed his residency at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey, where he served as chief resident.
Djavlon Khakimov, DPM, FACFAS is a double board-certified reconstructive foot and ankle surgeon with extensive training in diagnosing and treating various foot and ankle conditions. He is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care by listening closely to his patients and ensuring they feel valued and involved in every treatment decision. Dr. Khakimov finds the most rewarding part of his work is helping patients return to walking pain-free. Dr. Khakimov earned his graduate degree from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, graduating magna cum laude and ranking in the top three of his class. He then completed his surgical residency at Morristown Medical Center, where he received advanced training in trauma, reconstructive, and elective surgeries. His residency also included sports injury care at Atlantic Health Sports Clinic. His clinical interests include traumatic foot and ankle injuries, sports injuries, Charcot and flatfoot reconstruction, arthroscopy, total ankle replacement, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Khakimov sees patients in Seacucus along with Dr. Marc Berman.
Zsamae Lopez, NP is a family nurse practitioner dedicated to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care grounded in shared decision-making. Zsamae finds the greatest reward in earning her patients’ trust and helping them navigate their health to improve their quality of life. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Rutgers University. She returns to Holy Name delivering personalized care to patients in Bergenfield.
Payal Patel, DNP, AGPCNP-BC is a nurse practitioner specializing in neurosurgery who believes every patient deserves individualized care. She takes time to understand each person’s concerns, emotions, and goals before developing an evidence-based treatment plan. Payal values the strong relationships she builds with her patients and is proud to be part of Holy Name. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Michigan and has advanced training in interventional pain management and neurosurgical trauma. Her practice is located in Teaneck.
Francesco (Frank) Petracca, NP is a cardiology nurse practitioner who partners closely with patients to deliver personalized care. He values building relationships and helping his patients improve their health. Frank earned his Master of Science in Nursing degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and currently practices at Holy Name Cardiovascular Associates, seeing patients in both the Teaneck and Edgewater offices.
Jaffar Raza, MD, FACC, FSCAI is an interventional cardiologist whose approach to care centers on precision, prevention, and partnership. He specializes in minimally invasive procedures, including complex coronary interventions that open blocked arteries without surgery, enabling faster recovery and improved outcomes. Dr. Raza also has extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating peripheral vascular and venous disease, including peripheral artery disease (PAD), limb ischemia, carotid disease, and chronic venous disorders. Committed to advancing technology-enabled, data-driven cardiology, he serves as principal investigator for the TRANSFORM Study at Holy Name, which uses advanced coronary imaging to detect arterial plaque and identify heart disease risk earlier and more accurately than traditional methods. A respected researcher and educator, Dr. Raza has published in leading medical journals and presented internationally. He earned his medical degree from Stanley Medical College, University of Madras in Chennai, India, and completed his training at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, East Carolina University, and Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. Dr. Raza is based in Teaneck.
Robert Santana, MSN, FNP-BC, RN is a nurse practitioner who provides compassionate, individualized care. The most rewarding part of his work is helping patients feel at ease. He also enjoys developing and improving processes with his colleagues for more efficient patient care. He is proud to be at Holy Name because patients are heard, respected, and given personalized attention. Robert earned his master’s degree in nursing from Hofstra University in New York. Robert will be seeing patients at Holy Name’s pre-admission testing department in Teaneck.
Rabia Sarwar, MD is a nocturnist committed to providing continuous, compassionate, and evidence-based care. She is driven by a passion for medicine and a belief that every patient deserves to be treated with dignity and empathy. She earned her medical degree with honors from Dow University of Health Sciences in Pakistan and completed her residency at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, Washington. Dr. Sarwar is located at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck.
Sneha Sudanagunta, DO is an OB-GYN dedicated to providing patient-centered, evidence-based care. She strives to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, comfortable, and empowered at every stage of their care. Dr. Sudanagunta earned her medical degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at Richmond University Medical Center. She is proud to join Holy Name, where compassionate providers deliver exceptional care. Dr. Sudanagunta’s practice is located in Teaneck, and she is currently accepting new patients.
Paula Yapor, MD is a pediatrician who empowers families to feel informed, confident, and involved in their child’s care. She appreciates watching children grow and thrive, and she values the opportunity to build strong relationships with their families. Dr. Yapor earned her medical degree from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in Santiago, Dominican Republic, and completed her residency at BronxCare Health System. Her work has included research on adolescent lifestyle habits and participation in quality improvement projects. Dr. Yapor sees patients at the Teaneck office.
For more information on Holy Name's physician network, or to find a provider, visit holyname.org/physician.
