Our Team

Vitaly Kantorovich, MD

Chief of Endocrinology

Vitaly Kantorovich, MD headshot

Dr. Kantorovich is a board certified endocrinologist with extensive international training and more than three decades of experience in clinical practice, research, and academic medicine. He earned his medical degree from the Medical Faculty of Vilnius State University in Lithuania and completed residency and fellowship training in internal medicine and endocrinology at Rabin Medical Center/Sackler School of Medicine in Tel‑Aviv, Israel. Dr. Kantorovich advanced his research expertise through a research fellowship at Cedars‑Sinai Medical Center/UCLA School of Medicine, followed by an NIH Interinstitutional Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism in Bethesda, Maryland.

Dr. Kantorovich has held numerous faculty and clinical leadership roles, including appointments at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, UConn Health, and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He currently serves as Section Chief of the Division of Endocrinology at Hartford Hospital, where he also practices as a staff physician.

An active researcher and prolific author, Dr. Kantorovich, has contributed extensively to the scientific community through peer‑reviewed publications, book chapters, and national and international conference presentations. His academic work spans endocrine hypertension, metabolic bone disease, adrenal and thyroid disorders, and rare endocrine syndromes. He remains dedicated to advancing endocrine care through clinical excellence, education, and scholarly leadership

Kaye-Anne Newton, MD

Medical Director, Diabetes LifeCare Center

Kaye-Anne Newton, MD headshot Dr. Newton is a board-certified endocrinologist at Hartford Hospital. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes and thyroid disorders and has a special interest in caring for patients with parathyroid and calcium disorders. Dr. Newton serves as the Medical Director of the Diabetes LifeCare Center at Hartford Hospital as well as Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut Medical School. She is a member of The American Association of clinical endocrinologists as well as the International Society of Endocrinology. Dr. Newton is known for being a particularly compassionate physician and takes pride in ensuring her patients have a clear understanding of their condition. Her approach to care is to listen carefully to patients' concerns with care and without judgment, understand their health goals, and partner with them to optimize their health.

Maria Daigneault, APRN, BC-ADM 

Clinical Lead, Diabetes LifeCare

Maria Daigneault, APRN, BC-ADM headshot Maria is a board-certified Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with administrative expertise, committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care while supporting efficient healthcare operation. She functions as the Clinical lead at the Diabetes LifeCare Center, working collaboratively with other disciplines in providing comprehensive care. 

Jaime Kweon, APRN, BC-ADM

Jaime Kweon, APRN, BC-ADM headshot Jaime is a nurse practitioner with the Diabetes LifeCare Center with a current focus on type 1/type 2 diabetes, gestational/diabetes in pregnancy and insulin pump management. Her experience in primary care shaped providing a collaborative approach to care and helping patients manage chronic health conditions. Jaime is  committed to partnering with patients to provide compassionate, high-quality care that supports their long-term goals and health outcomes. 

Tabitha Harris, APRN, FNP-C, WCC

Tabitha is a Nurse Practitioner at the Diabetes LifeCare Center, providing comprehensive, evidence-based care to individuals living with diabetes. Her clinical practice emphasizes patient education, collaborative decision-making, and long-term health outcomes. Her secondary clinical passion is wound care, with a focused interest in prevention, assessment, and healing of complex wounds. She’s committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care tailored to each patient’s needs. Tabitha enjoys working at the Diabetes LifeCare Center with a multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving lives.

Lauren Kelly Hamann, APRN, BC-ADM, CDCES

Lauren Kelly Hamann, APRN, BC-ADM, CDCES headshot Kelly is an endocrinology APRN and diabetes educator focused on practical, patient-centered diabetes care. As someone living with type 1 diabetes, she combines clinical expertise with real-life experience to meet patients where they are. She has specialized experience in diabetes technology and helps people use these tools confidently in everyday life. 

Samaneh Rabiei, MD

Samaneh Rabieihashemi, MD headshot Dr. Rabiei is a board-certified endocrinologist at Hartford Hospital. She is very experienced in diabetes management and all aspects of endocrinology but has a particular focus on metabolic bone disease. Dr. Rabiei currently serves as the Bone Clinic Lead and the Endocrinology Education Lead, focusing on clinical excellence and quality improvement within the endocrinology division. She also holds the position of assistant professor at the University of Connecticut and is involved in the education of doctors in training as well as hospitalists to ensure that standards of care are met and exceeded.  

Racha Dermesropian, MD

Racha Dermesropian, MD headshot

Dr. Racha Dermesropian is a board‑certified endocrinologist with extensive experience in general endocrinology and a particular focus on thyroid disease and inpatient glycemic management. She currently serves at Hartford Hospital on the Endocrine inpatient service clinic and at the Diabetes LifeCare Center, where she practices in General Endocrinology and sees patients in the Thyroid Clinic. She holds the role of Advanced Practice Provider Lead.

Ashley Gordon, DO

Ashley Gordon, MD headshot Dr. Gordon is a board-certified endocrinologist originally from Long Island, New York. She completed medical school at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in New Jersey, followed by an internal medicine residency at the University of Connecticut and a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Gordon chose to return to Hartford Hospital after positive experiences there earlier in her training and a strong connection to the institution. She provides comprehensive care for patients with diabetes and a wide range of endocrine conditions, with a special interest in adrenal disorders.

Diabetes & Endocrinology