Two Stories, One Mission

Our Mission
While almost all of our team members have been impacted by cancer in some way, our cancer center founders have different personal stories that led them to one mission: to provide top-tier integrative cancer care that is rooted in holistic healing and genuine emotional support. Where other treatments stop, we are just getting started. We listen, get to know you, and create a treatment plan that is unique to you. Delivering treatment that goes beyond conventional care, we are committed to providing whole-person, patient-oriented treatments; care aligned with the body, mind, and spirit.

Expanding my healing center to encompass more integrative cancer care has been a dream of mine for a long time. Now that I have built my dedicated team, cancer patients and their families will finally be able to receive the specialized and compassionate cancer care that they deserve.
– Christine Pellegrino, M.S., L.Ac, Owner, Director & Lead Acupuncturist
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Christine Pellegrino
M.S., L.Ac, Owner, Director & Lead Acupuncturist
Certifications through the Memorial Sloan Kettering Integrative Medicine program:
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Fundamentals of Oncology Acupuncture
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Oncology Acupuncture: From Neuroscience to Patient Wellbeing
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Herbs & Dietary Supplements in Cancer Care
Christine's Story
Christine Pellegrino, M.S., L.Ac, is an esteemed licensed acupuncturist, as well as the founder, owner, and director of Pellegrino Healing Center. After seeing a dramatic increase in need and demand for her healing services, Christine took initiative and expanded her private practice into a multifunctional health and wellness facility. Christine’s work does not discriminate, in addition to working with anyone who has emotional or physical distress, Christine works with veterans, children, athletes, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and active cancer patients as well as those in remission.
Christine’s background in healthcare and alternative medicine is on the cutting edge of holistic care; Christine continues to conduct research, attend educational seminars, and collaborate with other members of the medical community in order to maintain the most up-to-date and advanced holistic practices and technology. With her drive, intuition, and management skills, Christine has built a diverse team of healers, who altogether, bring a great deal of knowledge, skill, and quality holistic care to the center.
While Christine aspires to help everyone, she has a special place in her heart for cancer patients. Christine’s desire to work with cancer patients began when her mother, Inga Pellegrino was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 38, battling cancer for 8 years before passing at age 46. Inga Pellegrino was a registered nurse who worked at Vassar Hospital for 18 years; she was also a dedicated mother, wife, and friend. Christine was only 8 years old when her mother was diagnosed and 16 years old when she passed. During the time Christine's mother was battling her cancer, Christine remembers the debilitating side effects from her treatments, as well as the emotional and physical hardships that came with her battle.
“I was so young at that time, I was unable to provide comfort or support. Though I was not able to help my mother, I am now equipped with the skills and expertise. I have already been able to help many people in my own practice and I am looking to expand our reach to help others cope with the physical and emotional impact to those battling cancer, in remission, and their family members.”
Christine's grandmother Ingeborg Kraehmer was later diagnosed with breast cancer as well. With two generations of breast cancer in the family, Christine was further driven to work in integrative and preventive medicine. With multiple diagnoses in the family, Christine gained a strong desire to help others and their families who have had to take on similar feats.

Christine Pellegrino and I have very similar stories and connections to breast cancer. I knew the day I met her, our paths had crossed for a purpose. Not only for my health and healing, but to bring something even greater to the people of the Hudson Valley.
– Dr. Diana L. Silverman

Diana L. Silverman
D.O., Breast Surgical Oncologist, Integrative Specialist, Metastatic Breast Cancer Survivor
Certifications:
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Medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Chief Surgery Intern at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
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Chief Surgery Resident at Midwestern University in Chicago, Illinois
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Society of Surgical Oncology accredited breast fellowship program at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA.
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Breast Program Leader at the Herb & Sue Ann Redl Center for Cancer Care
Dr. Silverman's Story
Dr. Diana Silverman is a fellowship trained breast surgical oncologist, and also a Stage IV breast cancer survivor. She originally moved to the Hudson Valley 9 years ago as the Breast Program Leader at the Herb & Sue Ann Redl Center for Cancer Care, and lead developer of the expansion of the new Women’s Imaging Center of MidHudson Regional Hospital of Westchester Medical Center. In 2015 she was asked to join Mount Kisco Medical Group, now Caremount Medical Group. She has volunteered her time to Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, Breast Cancer Options and Sparrows Nest. She was voted Hudson Valley Parent Favorite Doc and 2017’s Top 40 under 40 Mover and Shaker by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
In March of 2017, Dr. Silverman’s life was changed when she, herself, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy and returned back to work with a completely new outlook on life and breast cancer treatment. Unfortunately, less than one year later, the cancer had spread to her spine. Since that time Dr. Diana Silverman has completely immersed herself in integrative therapies by researching treatments from all over the world to help combat the disease and improve quality of life. Her knowledge base combines years of experience in both eastern and western medicine for an individualized treatment plan for each patient.
In December 2018, soon after Dr. Silverman was diagnosed with metastatic disease, a chance meeting took place where she was introduced to Christine Pellegrino. Dr. Silverman is a strong believer in “Your healers will be brought to you”, and since that time she began acupuncture treatment for her severe back pain caused by the cancer. Within just a few sessions, her pain was relieved and she has continued treatments weekly for the past 3 years. During that time, a true friendship has developed as well as a mutual passion for helping cancer patients. When Dr. Silverman felt she was ready to return to work again, she knew she belonged at the Pellegrino Healing Center.
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In Remembrance
The Pellegrino Integrative Cancer Center was created in loving memory of Inga Pellegrino, a registered nurse for 25 years. Inga was a loving wife and mother who battled cancer for eight years. Inga dedicated her life to helping others and her memory still touches the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Now, with the Pellegrino Integrative Cancer Center, Inga’s essence will reach and help many more people.