Melvin Mathai, DO is a compassionate, board-eligible pediatrician dedicated to providing comprehensive preventive, diagnostic, and acute care for children. Practicing at the Jamaica Hospital Medisys Clinic in Howard Beach, NY, Dr. Mathai partners with families to navigate the essential milestones of childhood, offering expert guidance in immunizations, nutrition, and behavioral health.

Dr. Mathai’s approach to medicine is deeply rooted in the osteopathic philosophy of treating the whole child, blending advanced clinical expertise with a strong focus on community health and social advocacy.

Clinical Expertise & Training

Dr. Mathai earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine after graduating Magna Cum Laude from Hofstra University with a degree in Health Science. He completed his rigorous pediatric residency at the prestigious Maimonides Infants and Children’s Hospital in Brooklyn.

Prior to his current role in primary care, Dr. Mathai served as a Pediatric Hospitalist at Mount Sinai South Nassau. There, he managed complex inpatient pediatric floors, performed critical, life-saving invasive procedures, and facilitated resuscitations for high-risk deliveries. His extensive background in hospital medicine ensures he is uniquely equipped to handle everything from routine childhood wellness visits to complex, acute medical situations.

Research, Innovation, & Leadership

A firm believer that healthcare extends beyond the clinic walls, Dr. Mathai is actively involved in clinical research and healthcare technology. His research has focused on critical pediatric health issues, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on childhood BMI percentiles—which he presented at the national Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) conference—and the positive health outcomes of implementing inpatient social needs screenings.

Furthermore, Dr. Mathai has consistently stepped into leadership roles designed to improve the patient and provider experience. He has served as a medical informatics advisor, optimization specialist for Electronic Medical Records (EMR), and a dedicated mentor and coordinator for the next generation of medical students and residents.

Deep Roots in Community Advocacy

Long before becoming a physician, Dr. Mathai was a champion for underserved populations. He has dedicated hundreds of hours to local communities, including:

• Serving as a Health Leads Advocate to help low-income new mothers secure vital public health benefits.
• Counseling individuals facing personal crises and suicidal ideation at the Long Island Crisis Center.
• Delivering evidence-based community education for the Alzheimer’s Association.
• Raising $5,000 through a charitable sports tournament to build a library for an orphanage in Cochin, India.

His profound empathy and dedication to service earned him the prestigious Gold Humanism Honor, an award recognizing physicians and students who exemplify exceptional human connection, integrity, and compassionate patient care.

Personal Life

When he is not caring for his patients, Dr. Mathai enjoys exploring astronomy, building models, and playing basketball. He is fluent in English and has conversational skills in Spanish, allowing him to connect deeply with New York’s diverse communities.

• Pediatric Residency (Class of 2024)
  Maimonides Infants and Children’s Hospital — Brooklyn, NY
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (Class of 2021)
  New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine — Old Westbury, NY
• Bachelor of Science in Health Science (Class of 2017)
  Magna Cum Laude | Minors in Biology and Community Health
  Hofstra University — Hempstead, NY

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) | Member since 2021
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA) | Member since 2017
• American Medical Association (AMA) | Member since 2017
• Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) | Alumnus Member

• Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) An elite national honor recognizing medical students, residents, and physicians who exemplify exceptional human connection, deep empathy, and compassionate patient care, while serving as outstanding mentors and leaders in medicine.
• First Place Research Award — OMED Awarded top honors at the national Osteopathic Medical Education Conference for his research investigating the positive effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) on neurological symptoms.
• Eta Sigma Gamma National Health Education Honor Society Inducted for demonstrating rigorous academic achievement, strict ethical standards, and outstanding discipline in the field of health education.
• Departmental Honors — Hofstra University
• Provost’s List Academic Honors — Hofstra University
• Dean’s List Academic Honors — Hofstra University

• Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Annual Meeting (May 2024 | Toronto, Canada)
  “Comparison of the pre and post COVID-19 pandemic weight gain in children over a 5 year period in a low income neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY.”
• Osteopathic Medical Education Conference (OMED) (October 2019 | Baltimore, MD)
  “Constipation in Parkinson’s Disease Improved by an Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine in a Repeated Measures Study.”
  🏆 Awarded First Place in the national research abstract competition.