Faculty & Staff Directory

Initial work in child neurology by Maria Milazzo, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, was focused on children with infectious and immune-mediated disorders of the central nervous system. Upon this foundation, her research builds on prior clinical and research experience with youth and young adults with rare and under-recognized conditions of the central nervous system, first, in pediatric AIDs and more recently, pediatric onset multiple sclerosis (MS).   

Dr. Milazzo's patients and their families have been some of her greatest teachers. She's learned that caring for a child with an unusual and unpredictable illness requires more than good medicine; it requires a community of people living and learning together. This led to the creation of a residential summer camp program for youth with MS. Her clinical scholarship is focused on the experiences of youth and young adults living with a chronic illness, from a disability studies framework, and her research interest lies in understanding the experiences of navigating chronic illness and interactions with the health care teams. She strives to incorporate the philosophy and skills of advanced practice nursing with disability studies frameworks. 

Dr. Milazzo's teaching philosophy is learner-centered, based on the journey of teaching, and acknowledging the interpersonal connections between students and teachers. She aims to guide and facilitate the process of learning by providing scaffolding for the students to create knowledge together. Teaching is a dynamic process, requiring the active and meaningful engagement of student and teacher, and teaching by example and learning along with students is at the core of her practice.

Education

• BS, Anthropology Stony Brook University, 1987
• BS, Nursing Stony Brook University, 1989
• MS, Child Health Nursing, Stony Brook University, 1993
• PhD, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences- Disability Studies, 2019
• Certificate, Disability Studies, Stony Brook University, 2019

Clinical Specialties

Pediatrics; and chronic illness and disability.

Primary Teaching Areas

Advanced practice pediatrics.

Research and Academic Interests

The experience of living with chronic illness and disability in childhood for youth and their families. In particular, the shared learning between youth, families, and health care providers.

Selected Research

"Creating an interdisciplinary service-learning project for health professionals to promote health and wellness of children who are obese." Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) Interprofessional Collaboration Research Grant. $19,8000. 2022.

Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND). Core Faculty.  HRSA Maternal and Child Health Workforce Development project.  $2,200,000 2021-2026.

NIH/NINR R01: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Activity patterns and autonomic dysfunction. Research Team Member.  $1,460,000 2016-2020.

Selected Publications

Friedberg, F., Adamowicz, J., Bruckenthal, P.,Milazzo, M., Ramjan, S. Zhang, X., Yang, Jie. (2022)  Sex differences in exercise-related post-exertional malaise in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Submitted to International Journal of Psychophysiology (in review).

Friedberg, F., Adamowicz, J., Bruckenthal, P.,Milazzo, M., Ramjan, S. Zhang, X., Yang, Jie. (2022) Uplifts, hassles, and worsening in chronic fatigue syndrome: A prospective study. Submitted to International Journal of Behavioral Medicine (in review)

Friedberg, F, Adamowicz, J, Bruckenthal, P, Milazzo, M, Ramjan, S, Quintana, D.  (2022).  Non-improvement in chronic fatigue syndrome: relation to activity patterns and autonomic dysfunction.  Psychosomatic Medicine.  doi: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000001082

Evans, C, Block, P, Milazzo, M.  Rethinking Community in Disability Studies:  Chosen and ascribed communities or intersecting communities and communities in conflict.  In Jansen: Rethinking Community through Transdisciplinary Research.  Palgrave Macmillan. 2019

Krupp, L, Rintell, D, Charvet, L, Milazzo, M, Wassmer, E.  (2016). Pediatric multiple sclerosis: Perspectives from patients and their families.  Neurology, 87 (Supp; 2), 4-7.

Squillace M, Ray S, Milazzo M.  (2015). Changes in gross grasp strength and fine motor skills in adolescents with pediatric multiple sclerosis. Occupational Therapy in Healthcare, 29(1).

Weisbrot, D, Charvet, L, Serafin, D, Milazzo, M, Preston, T, Cleary, R, Moadel, T, Seibert, M, Belman, A, Krupp, L.  (2014). Psychiatric diagnoses and cognitive impairment in pediatric multiple sclerosis.   Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 20(5), 588-93.

Weinfurtner, K, Graves, J, Ness, J, Krupp, L, Milazzo, M, Waubant, E.  (2014). Prolonged remission in neuromyelitis optica following cessation of rituximab treatment.  Journal of Child Neurology, 30(10).

Waubant, E, Mowry E, Krupp L, Chitnis, T., Kuntz N, Ness, J., Belman, A., Milazzo, M., Gorman, M., Weinstock-Guttman, Rodriguez, M., James, J.  (2013). Antibody response to common viruses and human leukocyte antigen-DRB1 pediatric multiple sclerosis.  Multiple Sclerosis, 19(7):891-5.

MacAllister, WS, Christodoulou, C, Milazzo, M, Preston, T, Serafin, D, Krupp, L, Harder, L. (2013). Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis: What We Know and Where Are We Headed?  Child Neuropsychology, 19(1), 1-22.

Block P, Rodriguez E, Milazzo M, MacAllister W, Krupp L, Nishida A, Slota N, Broughton A, Keys CB.  (2011). Building pediatric multiple sclerosis community using a disability studies framework of empowerment.  Research in Social Science and Disability, 6, 85-112.

Waubant, E, Mowry EM, Krupp LB, Chitnis T, Yeh EA, Kuntz N, Ness J, Chabas D, Strober J, McDonald J, Belman A, Milazzo M, Gorman M, Weinstock-Guttman, B, Rodriguez M, Oksenberg JR, James JA, and for the US Pediatric MS Network.  (2011). Common viruses associated with lower pediatric multiple sclerosis risk. Neurology, 76:1989-1995.

Weisbrot DM, Ettinger AB, Gadow KD, Belman AL, MacAllister WS, Milazzo M, Reed ML, Serrano D, Krupp LB. (2010). Psychiatric comorbidity in pediatric patients with demyelinating disorders.  Journal of Child Neurology 2010, 25, 192-202.

Mowry EM, Krupp LB, Milazzo MC, Chabas D, Strober J, Belman AL, McDonald J, Oksenberg J, Bacchetti P, Waubant E.  (2010). Vitamin D status is associated with relapse rate in pediatric – onset multiple sclerosis.  Annals of Neurology, 67, 618-624.

MacAllister WS, Christodoulou C, Troxell R, Milazzo M, Block P, Bender HA, Belman A, Krupp LB. (2009).  Fatigue and quality of life in pediatric multiple sclerosis.   Multiple Sclerosis, 15, 1502-1508.

Selected Presentations

“The Pandemic Pivot: Lessons Learned from Turning on a Dime” Society for Applied Anthropology- Council on Nursing and Anthropology. March 2022.

“Narratives of Wellness: Living with Chronic Illness”.  Society for Applied Anthropology.  (Virtual conference).  March 2021.

“Challenges in Pediatric Nursing Care after the Covid-19 Pandemic”. (2020) International Symposium of Health Sciences.  Purwokerto, Indonesia.  September 22, 2020 (Virtual conference).  Invited Plenary Speaker. 

“Promoting Health in Youth with Chronic Illness”.  Stony Brook School of Nursing.  February 6, 2020.

“Caring for kids with an unusual relapsing chronic condition: Pediatric MS as a model of care”.  National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.  March 20, 2018.  Chicago, Illinois.

Major Accomplishments/Honors

Excellence in Research Award, Sigma Theta Tau, Kappa Gamma Chapter

Hope Award, International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses