We are with you, every step of the way.
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 they 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, swimming and, most importantly, 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, Christina always wanted to have a career helping people. She wanted to do something that she would love, something that helps people feel better about themselves. Christina started in this business while in high school, over 24 years ago and never left it because, to her, the most rewarding thing is putting a smile on someone's face and giving people the confidence they deserve.
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 lives. Carlos is striving to one day becoming a Board Certified Ocularist.
Christine Thomas, Prosthetics Advancement Lab LLC
M&G: New York City
Membership in American Society of Ocularists since 2022
Continuing education biannually at the American Society of Ocularist conferences
Prosthetics Advancement Lab LLC, Apprentice Ocularist under Janet Chao, BCO 2021-2024
Joined Mager & Gougelman in 2024
Christine has always been drawn to both art and healthcare. While working as an ophthalmic technician, she discovered ocularistry and was happy to find a field that brings together artistry, craftsmanship, and patient care in a meaningful way.
She began her ocularistry career
in 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada, apprenticing under Janet Chao, BCO. In 2024, Christine relocated to New York to join Mager & Gougelman. She is committed to delivering prostheses that provide both comfort and confidence for her patients.
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 Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MA.
She continued to work and training 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.
Sarah Contreras, B.S., Cfm, Ocular & Maxillofacial Prosthetist
M&G: New York City
Graduated Summa Cum Laude from San Francisco State University, CA - B.S. in Biology 2017.
Cinema Makeup School, Complete Track Graduate: Los Angeles, CA, received a Diploma for 18 Week Master Makeup, Diploma for 3 Week Creature Concept Design, Certificate for Advance Beauty Theory, and a Letter of Completion for Advanced Lab Techniques, 2019.
Johns Hopkins Anaplastology Supervised Training Program for Facial Prosthetics, Baltimore, MD, 2021-2022.
Anaplastologist Intern at The Anaplastology Clinic, Durham, NC, 2022-2024.
Ocular & Maxillofacial Prosthetist at Mager & Gougelman, NYC, 2025.
Member of the International Anaplastology Association, 2021.
Member of American Society of Ocularists and Supervised Intern in the College of Ocularistry, Fall 2023.
Received Certification Fitter-Mastectomy CFm, October 2024.
Utilizing both traditional and digital-3D techniques, Sarah has been manufacturing both ocular and maxillofacial prostheses for patients in North Carolina and now in New York. Her background in science, art, special effects and makeup artistry gives her a keen eye for detail. What drives Sarah is the combined passion for science and art to help people, creating prostheses for people of all ages, and improving people's lives. In her free time she does a multitude of art projects, such as sculpting and drawing. She loves creating characters and cute creatures for fun.
Emery Bendek, Ocular Prosthetist (Retired 2024)
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 patients in their journey.
Emery is a native New Yorker and enjoys all the city has to offer from sports to the Arts to cycling in the parks. He is always seeing the beauty of the city he calls home.