Meet Your Ocularists

Andrew E. Gougelmann, BCO, BADO

M&G: New York City, Hempstead NY, New Haven CT , Westchester NY

• Membership in American Society of Ocularists since 1988

• Board Approved Diplomate of the American Society of Ocularists

• Member of the American Anaplastology Association since 1989

• Board Certified Ocularist by National Examining Board of Ocularists

• Continuing education biannually at the American Society of Ocularist conferences

• Continuing education at the American Academy of ophthalmology

• Graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a
  Major in Anthropology and Minor in Art.

Andrew began his career in the summer of 1980 when his father asked him to come to the New York City office. He was only fourteen but liked the idea of going to the big city. Over that summer, Andrew realized how much he enjoyed working with eyes and decided he would one day become an Ocularist. He studied art in college and after college began his now 32nd-year career in Ocularistry. He prides himself on helping people feel whole again.
Andrew and his wife Nisha are proud parents of their three daughters, Logan, Oakley, and Remington. Their hope is that one day there will continue the family business of helping people.

David M. Gougelmann, BCO, BADO

M&G: New York City, Fairfield NJ, New Haven CT

• President of the American Society of Ocularists: 2022-present

• Vice President of the American Society of Ocularists: 2020-2022

• Board of Directors of the American Society of Ocularists: 2019-present

• Membership in American Society of Ocularists since 1987

• Board Approved Diplomate of the American Society of Ocularists

• Board Certified Ocularist by National Examining Board of Ocularists

• Continuing education biannually at the American Society of Ocularist Conferences

• Continuing education at the American Academy of Ophthalmology

• Education Program Chairperson for the American Society of Ocularists: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013.

When not working with patients or around the office, David likes exploring New York City, boating on the Hudson River, hiking and swimming. But, most important is spending time with his family.

Christina Cantelmo, BCO, BADO

M&G: New York City, Fairfield NJ

• Membership in American Society of Ocularists since 1992

• Board Approved Diplomate of the American Society of Ocularists

• Board Certified Ocularist by National Examining Board of Ocularists

• Continuing education biannually at the American Society of Ocularist conferences

• Continuing education at the American Academy of Ophthalmology

• Started At Mager & Gougelman in 2001

For as long as she could remember she always wanted to have a career where she was helping people. She wanted to do something that she would love. Something that helps people feel better about themselves and to give them back something they have lost. Christina started in this business while in high school, over 24yrs ago and she never left it because to her the most rewarding thing is putting that smile on someone's face.

Carlos Barzallo, Ocular Prosthetist

M&G: Hempstead NY

• Graduated from New York College of Technology in 2011 with an associate degree in Restorative Dentistry.

• Received his board Certification in Restorative Dentistry in 2013.

• Worked as a Lab Technician from 2011 to 2013 with an Ocularist named Annette Kirszrot.

• In 2014 started working for Mager & Gougelman, Inc., in the Long Island office

• In 2017 began his Ocularistry training under the tutelage of Andrew Gougelmann.

Carlos made his transition into Ocularistry because he enjoyed fabricating prostheses and liked the idea of changing someone’s life. Carlos is striving to one day becoming a Board Certified Ocularist.

Emery Bendek, Ocular Prosthetist

M&G: New York City

• Graduated Baruch college -Journalism BS
  Ocularist training, Philadelphia with Joseph LeGrand Sr.

  1983 - 2007 Columbia-Presbyterian and New York Hospital's ocular prosthetic departments.

• Outreach ocular prosthetic clinics in upstate New York, North Carolina, Virginia, and Southern
  New Jersey.

• Started working with Mager & Gougelman in 2011.

Emery started his career as an Ocularist in 1982. He trained under the tutelage of Joseph LeGrand Sr. in Philadelphia. Upon returning to New York City he started working at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital from 1983 till 2007. He then worked in New Jersey and Brooklyn till 2011 when he came to Mager & Gougelman.

Being a lifelong ocular prosthetics wearer himself, Emery has a special bond with his patients, giving him an opportunity to help his patients in their journey.

Emery is a native New Yorker, enjoys all the city has to offer from sports, the Arts to cycling in the parks. Always seeing the beauty of the city he calls home.

Arianna Bruno, MA, BCO, Ocular & Maxillofacial Prosthetist

M&G: New Haven CT

• Studied at the East Tennessee State University, BS 2002

• Smith College, MA 2005

• California State University at Monterey Bay,

• Science Illustration Program, Graduated 2010

Arianna began her career in facial prosthetics in 2010 as an Anaplastology Intern under the instruction of Juan Garcia, at the Art of Applied to Medicine Department of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MA.

She continued to work and train in a maxillofacial prosthetics lab at a Veteran’s Restoration Clinic until 2013 when she began fitting and fabricating maxillofacial and ocular prosthetics for Mager & Gougelman’s offices in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.

Arianna continues to pursue scientific illustration in her spare time, focusing on botanical and ornithological subjects.