Our Providers

Dr. Rosa Josefina Miranda, MD-FAAP

Dr. Rosa Josefina Miranda is a board certified pediatrician and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She received her medical degree at Pedro Henriquez Urena University in 1987 Dominican Republic. She completed her pediatric residency at the Bronx Lebanon affiliated with the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York.

Prior to opening Children of Joy Pediatrics, she worked in a busy practice in N.Y. Dr. Miranda has previous studies in General Surgery in Aixen Province-Marseille University, France. She also received additional training in Maimonides Medical Center at Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Miranda graduated as a perfect health certified instructor at Chopra University in San Diego California.

This health certification allows her to teach principles of holistic, healing, wellness, as well as appropriate changes in children’s lifestyle. Dr. Miranda has been featured in different television programs in CBS New York, Univision, and Telemundo. Dr. Miranda has been coached by the world known Dr. Jean Houston in her private mentoring program.

Dr. Miranda has the patient choice award, compassionate doctor recognition, the top 10 doctor’s award and the on time doctor award.

Dr. Miranda is a dedicated pediatrician who cares deeply about children and recognizes the uniqueness and potential of each child. Her goal is to empower parents to take care of their children in a way that can lead them to become healthy individuals and achieve wellness through proper diet, exercise, and healthy relationships. She aims to help parents support and understand their children as they grow into adolescence and adulthood and also to assist them in dealing with challenging situations during this transition period.

As an educator in the medical field, her goal is to teach parents how to safeguard their children by applying preventive measures against high risk behavior and illness in order to allow them to achieve their best. She believes that it is important to treat children in an honest and supportive way in order for them to gain an understanding of themselves which will help them achieve their destiny and benefit the world.

Dr. Miranda has one son and lives in New Jersey with her lovely family. She is also fluent in French, Spanish, and English and her hobbies include reading, exploring nature and meditation.

Dr. Rosa Josefina Miranda, MD-FAAP

Dr. Rosa Josefina Miranda is a board certified pediatrician and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She received her medical degree at Pedro Henriquez Urena University in 1987 Dominican Republic. She completed her pediatric residency at the Bronx Lebanon affiliated with the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York.

Prior to opening Children of Joy Pediatrics, she worked in a busy practice in N.Y. Dr. Miranda has previous studies in General Surgery in Aixen Province-Marseille University, France. She also received additional training in Maimonides Medical Center at Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Miranda graduated as a perfect health certified instructor at Chopra University in San Diego California.

This health certification allows her to teach principles of holistic, healing, wellness, as well as appropriate changes in children’s lifestyle. Dr. Miranda has been featured in different television programs in CBS New York, Univision, and Telemundo. Dr. Miranda has been coached by the world known Dr. Jean Houston in her private mentoring program.

Dr. Miranda has the patient choice award, compassionate doctor recognition, the top 10 doctor’s award and the on time doctor award.

Dr. Miranda is a dedicated pediatrician who cares deeply about children and recognizes the uniqueness and potential of each child. Her goal is to empower parents to take care of their children in a way that can lead them to become healthy individuals and achieve wellness through proper diet, exercise, and healthy relationships. She aims to help parents support and understand their children as they grow into adolescence and adulthood and also to assist them in dealing with challenging situations during this transition period.

As an educator in the medical field, her goal is to teach parents how to safeguard their children by applying preventive measures against high risk behavior and illness in order to allow them to achieve their best. She believes that it is important to treat children in an honest and supportive way in order for them to gain an understanding of themselves which will help them achieve their destiny and benefit the world.

Dr. Miranda has one son and lives in New Jersey with her lovely family. She is also fluent in French, Spanish, and English and her hobbies include reading, exploring nature and meditation.

Dr. Rose Ann Macalintal, MD-FAAP

Dr. Rose Ann Macalintal is a board certified pediatrician and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She received her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in 2005 and completed her residency training at the Goryeb Children's Hospital in Morristown, New Jersey, an affiliate of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine of New York.

Prior to joining Children of Joy Pediatrics, Dr. Macalintal spent a few years working in private practice in the Middlesex County area before having her beautiful twin girls. Such experiences continue to help her provide better care to her patients as well as guidance for their parents, applicable to real-life and day-to-day settings. She believes that in order to give the best care possible, it is imperative to approach every visit like treating family while empowering them with knowledge. In this way patients and their loved ones can recognize how to face the challenges that may lay ahead and not be discouraged to ask for help. In her spare time, Dr. Macalintal enjoys spending time with her husband and raising her children, exercising, listening to music, and sampling different types of cuisine. She also is working on expanding her skills in the kitchen, with a personal goal of learning how to cook like her mother.

Dr. Rana Hijazi, MD

Dr. Hijazi joined the practice in 2012. In addition to being a board certified Pediatrician, Dr. Hijazi also specializes in Pediatric nephrology. Dr. Hijazi received her undergraduate degree in Biology from University of Miami, and her medical degree from St. George’s University, Grenada. Dr. Hijazi completed her residency at Devos Children’s Hospital, Grand Rapids Michigan, then went on to complete a 3 years fellowship in Pediatric Nephrology at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami.

Dr. Hijazi enjoys listening to music, walking, trying out new restaurants and spending quality of time with her husband and family. Dr. Hijazi offers an energetic approach towards patient care with a strong emphasis on preventive care. Her caring manner is focused on addressing the needs of the child, the parents and family members on an individual basis. Dr. Hijazi is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish.

Dr. Rana Hijazi, MD

Dr. Hijazi joined the practice in 2012. In addition to being a board certified Pediatrician, Dr. Hijazi also specializes in Pediatric nephrology. Dr. Hijazi received her undergraduate degree in Biology from University of Miami, and her medical degree from St. George’s University, Grenada. Dr. Hijazi completed her residency at Devos Children’s Hospital, Grand Rapids Michigan, then went on to complete a 3 years fellowship in Pediatric Nephrology at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami.

Dr. Hijazi enjoys listening to music, walking, trying out new restaurants and spending quality of time with her husband and family. Dr. Hijazi offers an energetic approach towards patient care with a strong emphasis on preventive care. Her caring manner is focused on addressing the needs of the child, the parents and family members on an individual basis. Dr. Hijazi is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish.

Christopher Zito, MSPAS, PA-C

Christopher Zito is a board certified Physician Assistant with a passion for pediatric medicine. Christopher earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from Felician College before earning his Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Touro College. While at Touro College Christopher completed clinical experience training in fields such as primary care, pediatrics, emergency medicine and otolaryngology. Prior to joining Children of Joy, Christopher worked as a Physician Assistant in radiology and pediatric urgent care. Christopher is a dedicated practitioner who practices evidenced based medicine with a focus on preventative care. He has a strong interest in conditions of the ear, nose, and throat.

In his spare time, Christopher enjoys spending time with his family, dogs and working on his new home. He is an avid golfer and loves spending time outdoors. He was born and raised in Hackensack and takes great pride in serving the members of his community.

Karen Giraldo, PA-C

Karen Giraldo is a board-certified Physician Assistant who has worked as a Pediatric PA for five years. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Karen earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Kean University, thereafter, she completed the Pace University PA program and earned her master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies in 2016. Karen always knew she wanted to practice in pediatrics since she worked in a Pediatric practice as an office manager/ medical assistant prior to embarking the PA route. She is passionate and devoted in the field of pediatrics. She loves spending time educating families and patients to promote a healthy lifestyle. Karen believes that by forming trusting relationships between healthcare provider and patients/ caretakers leads to effective treatment planning and results in physical wellness.

Karen enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. Becoming a mother of two beautiful boys has helped her become a better provider as she is now able to relate more to parents due to her personal experiences. Karen is fluent in English and Spanish.

Karen Giraldo, PA-C

Karen Giraldo is a board-certified Physician Assistant who has worked as a Pediatric PA for five years. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Karen earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Kean University, thereafter, she completed the Pace University PA program and earned her master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies in 2016. Karen always knew she wanted to practice in pediatrics since she worked in a Pediatric practice as an office manager/ medical assistant prior to embarking the PA route. She is passionate and devoted in the field of pediatrics. She loves spending time educating families and patients to promote a healthy lifestyle. Karen believes that by forming trusting relationships between healthcare provider and patients/ caretakers leads to effective treatment planning and results in physical wellness.
Karen enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. Becoming a mother of two beautiful boys has helped her become a better provider as she is now able to relate more to parents due to her personal experiences. Karen is fluent in English and Spanish.

Rebecca Vicente, PA

Rebecca Vicente is a bilingual board-certified Physician Associate who joined the practice in 2023. She graduated from Georgetown in 2016, where she decided to pursue medicine. After graduating from PA school, she completed a rigorous one-year fellowship in Emergency Medicine where she continued to practice until her life circumstances changed. After becoming a mother, her passion shifted from emergency medicine to pediatrics. Now she dedicates her career to helping children and their parents navigate their wellness journeys throughout their childhood.