Ackerman’s most famous patient is probably Jupiter Island’s Celine Dion. “Celine has been my patient for about 14 years now,” Ackerman said. “René-Charles, her first baby, was born at Palms West Hospital on January 25, 10 years ago. The Caesarian was performed by my partner, Dr. Steven Pliskow, and team. As Celine’s husband René Angélil likes to put it, I’m the ‘head coach.’” But Ackerman is more than that. After all, Celine sang at another son Jamie’s bar mitzvah. “And she flew in from Belgium and sang for my 50th birthday,” he added. Jamie is now working in clinical research and studying for his master’s degree in business. A third son, Corey, is an attorney in West Palm Beach. Ackerman made sure he was on hand “as her confidante and adviser” when Celine recently decided to add to her family. “We did in vitro fertilization at Cornell University with Dr. Zev Rosenwaks, Cornell’s chairman of reproductive endocrinology. Dr. Ruel Stoessel, maternal fetal medicine specialist, Dr. Pliskow and my son Dr. Joshua Ackerman were also on the team,” Ackerman said. “There was a tremendous
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level of expertise… Celine was a very high risk at 42 years old with a previous Caesarian, in vitro and twin gestation. The twins were delivered at just under 35 weeks and never required any oxygen or support. They were totally fine.” Another historic event for the doctor was when his son’s wife Amber gave birth. “Josh had made me a grandfather, and the baby was delivered at Long Island Jewish by Dr. Rich Taubman, one of my best friends,” Ackerman recalled. “To see my granddaughter born in rooms where I delivered babies — I was so enjoying every minute of it! And now Addison is four years old... Amber is pregnant again and will be having this baby at Palms West Hospital.” So if you’re looking for a doctor with a track record, you may want to try Advanced Women’s Ob/Gyn Associates in Building 6 on the Palms West Hospital campus. Call (561) 795-2400 or visit www.advancedwomensobgyn.com for more information. The practice also has an office at 603 Village Blvd., Suite 201, in West Palm Beach. “We strive to treat you like one would be treated at the Ritz-Carlton, in a personal and caring atmosphere,” Ackerman said.