Our Staff

Dr. Danielle Flanigan

Pediatrician

Dr. Danielle Flanigan is a board certified pediatrician who has been working at a busy private practice since 2016. She completed her pediatric training at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, NY. There she served as Pediatric Chief Resident and was also the recipient of the “Blue Wig Award” – an award given to the intern with the most compassion, enthusiasm and love of life. After completing her residency and returning to her hometown of NYC, she spent a year at NYU Langone Medical Center working as a Pediatric Hospitalist.

Dr. Danielle is passionate about promoting the health of all children in an inclusive and equitable culture through compassionate family centered care and tireless advocacy. She is enthusiastic about all aspects of pediatrics from newborn care to adolescents. For her, pediatrics is not just annual physicals and writing prescriptions – it’s touching lives in a meaningful and lasting way.

As a mother of four children, Dr. Danielle understands that parenting is complex. She will often share stories about her own family highlighting that even pediatricians and their children aren’t “perfect”! There really is no “perfect” in parenting!

Dr. Danielle joined her previous practice, Premier Pediatrics, in 2017 and has been seeing patients exclusively in the Rockaways since 2018. Dr. Danielle is committed to meeting the needs of the Rockaway community.

Dr. Sheneka Horne

Pediatrician, Medical Director

Dr. Sheneka Horne is a first generation, Caribbean- American, global health pediatrician.

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, she obtained her B.S. in Exercise Science and M.P.H from The George Washington University in Washington D.C. She attended medical school at St. George’s University, and completed pediatric residency at St Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson, NJ. She completed a Global Health fellowship with the University of California, San Francisco/ HEAL program traveling between Navajo Nation in AZ/NM and Liberia, West Africa.

After completing fellowship she worked in a variety of pediatric settings including an Afghan refugee camp, before landing at Peninsula Pediatrics.

At Peninsula, Dr Horne strives to provide good quality care for patients and their families, using up to date practices and supporting vaccine policy. She believes strongly in partnering with families to create healthy outcomes for children and adolescents.

Outside of medicine, Dr Horne enjoys time with her family and friends, traveling internationally. Fun fact about Dr Horne is that she a nitrox certified scuba diver and a die hard lover of chocolate.

Dr. Gina Auricchio

Pediatrician

Dr. Gina Auricchio is a board-certified pediatrician who earned her medical degree from St. George’s University and completed her pediatric residency at Staten Island University Hospital. Following her training, she worked in a busy pediatric practice in Staten Island and is now thrilled to continue her career serving families in the Rockaways.

With experience caring for a culturally diverse population and children with varying healthcare needs, Dr. Gina is skilled in comprehensive physical exams for patients from newborns to young adults. During her residency, she gained credentialing in several pediatric procedures, including blood draws, and she has recently become a certified Lactation Consultant, enhancing her ability to support families in new and meaningful ways.

As a new mother herself, Dr. Gina understands the challenges of parenthood and is committed to building trusting, collaborative relationships with parents and patients. Her approach focuses on fostering confidence and promoting healthy growth and development for every child. Compassionate and approachable, Dr. Gina combines her expertise and evidence-based practices to ensure your child’s health and wellness are always the priority. She is excited to join the Peninsula Pediatrics team and contribute to their mission of providing exceptional care.

Vanessa Ciaccia

Medical Assistant

Vanessa Ciaccia, Medical Assistant, discovered her passion for pediatrics while working at NYU Langone, where she quickly realized her calling in the field. At Peninsula Pediatrics, she values building meaningful relationships with parents and patients while collaborating with a team of incredible providers who continue to support her growth.

Fun fact: On weekends, Vanessa enjoys participating in rodeo season and barrel racing with her horse, Billy. She dreams of owning her own farm one day, combining her love for animals and the outdoors.

Kate Hayes

Medical Assistant

Kate Hayes, Medical Assistant, is currently working towards becoming a Registered Nurse at Molloy University. Inspired by her close knit family and time spent with her many cousins, Kate discovered a deep passion for pediatrics early on. Her warm personality and caring nature make her a comforting presence for both young patients and their families.

Fun fact: Kate is a talented baker who once ran her own cupcake business!

Maya Newtonian

Medical Assistant

Maya is a dedicated Medical Assistant with five years of experience, specializing in pediatrics. She has a genuine love for working with children and strives to make every visit a positive, comforting experience. Maya brings patience, kindness, and a smile to every interaction-whether its calming a nervous little one, celebrating their bravery, or simply making them laugh. Her goal is to combine compassionate care with professionalism to support both young patients and their families, creating an environment where kids feel safe, cared for and heard.

Fun Fact: She has a young face but don’t be fooled by this mom of two ! She still watches cartoons and she loves SpongeBob.

Prianka Chowdhury

Nurse

Prianka Chowdhury is a pediatric registered nurse and a foreign medical graduate with a dual degree, currently pursuing her master’s and Family Nurse Practitioner degree at Long Island University. Caring for children and supporting families has always been at the heart of her work. Whether she is answering parents’ questions to help ease their concerns, guiding a child through an  unfamiliar procedure, or offering reassurance during a challenging moment, she strives to make each visit meaningful and supportive.

Prianka’s experience in both international and U.S. healthcare settings has taught her the importance of cultural sensitivity, open communication, and meeting families where they are. She values building long-term relationships and being a trusted resource for parents as their children grow.

Fun Fact: Outside of the clinic, Prianka enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, exploring hidden gems around New York City, and indulging her love of a good dessert. Prianka is always on the lookout for the next great bakery or sweet shop to try!

Lindsey O'Donnell

Office Manager

Lindsey O’Donnell has over nine years of management experience in the orthopedic field and holds an MBA with a concentration in healthcare management. Her career reflects a strong commitment to delivering exceptional patient care and operational excellence. Lindsey enjoys combining her leadership skills with her genuine passion for working with children and their families to create a welcoming and efficient healthcare environment.

Fun fact: Lindsey is a talented special effects makeup artist. In her free time, she collaborates on music videos, short films, and photo shoots. Halloween is her busiest season, where her creativity shines!

Marilyn Gappa

Front Desk Supervisor

Marilyn Gappa has dedicated over 14 years to pediatrics, driven by her passion for children. She finds inspiration in their resilience, curiosity, and positive energy, and appreciates their straightforward and empathetic nature. Marilyn values the opportunity to support families, finding peace and honor in her ability to help.

Fun Fact: In addition to her extensive experience, Marilyn is a certified medical assistant and a certified breastfeeding counselor. She is also a Usui Second Degree Reiki practitioner.

Esha Sharma

Front Desk

Esha Sharma is a Certified Pharmacy Technician with expertise in medication management, patient care, and clinic operations. She is committed to ensuring safe, accurate pharmacy practices while creating a well-organized, family-friendly healthcare environment. With a passion for helping families, she cherishes the opportunity to witness children grow healthy and strong, fostering meaningful, long-term relationships with families along the way. She thrives in this positive and supportive environment, finding joy in making a difference in the lives of others every day.

Fun fact: Esha is a proud sports mom to a wonderful boy, cheering from the sidelines whenever she can.

Patricia Chiarantano

Billing and Credentialing Specialist

Patricia is thrilled to have joined the team. With a strong background in healthcare within this community, Patricia has previously focused on adult care. Now, the shift to pediatrics has brought a refreshing and exciting change, as she gets to witness the children in the neighborhood blossom each day.

Fun Fact: Patricia is also a certified TRX, spin, and Tabata boot camp instructor and has a true passion for fitness!