Rusk Insights On Rehabilitation Medicine

Dr. Tan participated in a Dual Residency Program in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation/Pediatrics at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York. She has received Fellowship Grants and Support from the Christopher Reeve Foundation, the  Medtronics/Allergan: Spasticity Management Workshop, and the Starlight Children’s Foundation. She served as Founder of the Philippine Chinese-American Medical Association and became President of that organization in 2014. Dr. Tan obtained her medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. The following items were discussed in Part 1: how she decided to become a pediatrician specializing in cerebral palsy; what causes cerebral palsy; if heredity plays a role; likelihood of any demographic factors involved in the onset of this condition; tools and practices used in early diagnosis; types of cerebral palsy; whether it can be acquired after birth; preventability; incidence of cerebral pal

Dr. Morris currently works full-time as a researcher. She is founder and director of the Disability Equity Collaborative where her work focuses on provider and health care organization-level factors that negatively impact the quality of care delivered to patients with disabilities. Her work has been funded by the NIH and other key sources of support. She has published in major medical periodicals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and the journal Health Affairs. Dr. Morris has a Masters of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology, a Masters of Public Health degree, and a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Washington. She completed post-doctoral fellowships at Northwestern University and the Mayo Clinic in health services research. She has served as a faculty member at the Mayo Clinic, Harvard Medical School, and the University of Colorado Medical School. The following items were discussed in Part 2: how ableism, including structural ableism appear in the healthcar

Dr. Morris currently works full-time as a researcher. She is founder and director of the Disability Equity Collaborative where her work focuses on provider and health care organization-level factors that negatively impact the quality of care delivered to patients with disabilities. Her work has been funded by the NIH and other key sources of support. She has published in major medical periodicals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and the journal Health Affairs. Dr. Morris has a Masters of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology, a Masters of Public Health degree, and a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Washington. She completed post-doctoral fellowships at Northwestern University and the Mayo Clinic in health services research. She has served as a faculty member at the Mayo Clinic, Harvard Medical School, and the University of Colorado Medical School. The following items were discussed in Part 1: her definition of the term ableism; meaning of the term structural ableism an

Akhila Veerubhotla is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU-Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship jointly at the Center for Mobility and Rehabilitation Engineering at the Kessler Foundation and in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School. She has a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a Masters degree in Biomedical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Her research focuses on using technology to help improve mobility, balance, and physical activity in individuals with neurological impairments. Her work primarily is focused toward individuals with stroke, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury.  The following items were discussed in Part 2: a Novel Core Strengthening Intervention for Improving Trunk Function, Balance and Mobility after a Stroke; variability in interventions may occur when therapists also provide assistance; risk of fal

Akhila Veerubhotla is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU-Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship jointly at the Center for Mobility and Rehabilitation Engineering at the Kessler Foundation and in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School. She has a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a Masters degree in Biomedical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Her research focuses on using technology to help improve mobility, balance, and physical activity in individuals with neurological impairments. Her work primarily is focused toward individuals with stroke, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury.  The following items were discussed in Part 1: whether devices used in her studies also are available commercially for patients to use at home; a systematic review study involving wearable devices for tracking physical activity in the community aft

Dr. Kathleen Isaac is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU Langone Health. As a Haitian-American, cis-gender female, she directs the Medical Student and House Staff Mental Health program, which provides individual, couples, and group psychotherapy to medical students, residents, and fellows. She also has a part-time private practice focused on serving BIPOC and LGBTQ+ clients with integrative treatment approaches, where she specializes in trauma, health psychology, and cultural issues. Dr. Isaac also is an adjunct lecturer in the City College of New York’s doctoral program in clinical psychology where she teaches an advanced practicum on intersectional therapy and a Group Psychotherapy course. She has been featured on multiple media platforms, including NBC and the New York Times. Recently, she has published in the journal Psychiatry Annals and in a book chapter dealing with Her Clients’ Racial Identity Development During the Pandemic and the Black Lives Matter Moveme

Dr. Kathleen Isaac is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU Langone Health. As a Haitian-American, cis-gender female, she directs the Medical Student and House Staff Mental Health program, which provides individual, couples, and group psychotherapy to medical students, residents, and fellows. She also has a part-time private practice focused on serving BIPOC and LGBTQ+ clients with integrative treatment approaches, where she specializes in trauma, health psychology, and cultural issues. Dr. Isaac also is an adjunct lecturer in the City College of New York’s doctoral program in clinical psychology where she teaches an advanced practicum on intersectional therapy and a Group Psychotherapy course. She has been featured on multiple media platforms, including NBC and the New York Times. Recently, she has published in the journal Psychiatry Annals and in a book chapter dealing with Her Clients’ Racial Identity Development During the Pandemic and the Black Lives Matter Moveme

Dr. Salvador Portugal is an Assistant Professor in the Dapartment of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He is also Director of the Sports Fellowship program and Medical Director, Sports Medicine Rehabilitation. Dr. Portugal completed his residency at NYU Grossman and his fellowship at UMDNJ. He also received an MBA from Brandies in 2020.  In this segment, Dr. Portugal indicated that in 2014, a systematic review was done, which found that a combination of PT and mobilization was strongly recommended, especially in patients in stages two and three. Cortisone injections were found to be most effective early, and acupuncture plus therapeutic exercises improved pain, range of motion and function. Therapeutic sonograph treatment was not recommended. PT is recommended after phase one or after the painful phase. A Cochrane study concluded that PT should be provided in combination with other treatments. Patients that were compliant with home exercises are shown to be equally effective compared

Dr. Salvador Portugal is an Assistant Professor in the Dapartment of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He is also Director of the Sports Fellowship program and Medical Director, Sports Medicine Rehabilitation. Dr. Portugal completed his residency at NYU Grossman and his fellowship at UMDNJ. He also received an MBA from Brandies in 2020.  For this portion, he discussed several topics, such as clinical presentation, risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnostic testing, and non-surgical treatment options. He provided a review from the standpoint of what we should be doing in current practice. Shoulder injury usually is characterized as a marked decrease in range of motion. Patients often have difficulty reaching overhead or behind the back that causes a sensation of pain and stiffness. Prevalence in the general population is 2-5% and women are more affected than men. Pathophysiology is not often understood. Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder after surgery potentially may be a risk. Preval

Dr. Moroz attended the NYU School of Medicine and remained at NYU-Rusk Rehabilitation for residency training, and subsequently, his first and only job. He rose through the faculty ranks and currently is Director of Residency Training and Vice Chair for Education. Dr. Moroz sought out additional training and became a New York State certified acupuncturist, and is directing the Integrative Sports Medicine program, which includes an 18-month track for PM&R residents leading them to becoming certified physician acupuncturists. Dr. Brian Sunwoo is a current administrative chief resident in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency program at NYU Langone Health. He attended Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine, where he received the Dean's Recognition Award and will begin a fellowship in Interventional Spine after completing residency. As an NYU resident, he has served on the Rusk Health Equity, GME Diversity and Inclusion, and House Staff Leadership Committees. Dr. Sunwoo currently is completing his c

Dr. Moroz attended the NYU School of Medicine and remained at NYU-Rusk Rehabilitation for residency training, and subsequently, his first and only job. He rose through the faculty ranks and currently is Director of Residency Training and Vice Chair for Education. Dr. Moroz sought out additional training and became a New York State certified acupuncturist, and is directing the Integrative Sports Medicine program, which includes an 18-month track for PM&R residents leading them to becoming certified physician acupuncturists. Dr. Brian Sunwoo is a current administrative chief resident in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency program at NYU Langone Health. He attended Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine, where he received the Dean's Recognition Award and will begin a fellowship in Interventional Spine after completing residency. As an NYU resident, he has served on the Rusk Health Equity, GME Diversity and Inclusion, and House Staff Leadership Committees. Dr. Sunwoo currently is completing his c

Dr. Byron Schneider is currently an associate professor with the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and serves as the Director of the Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship. Previously, he completed his residency and interventional spine fellowship at Stanford University. He has nearly 100 publications, with a research focus on the safety and outcomes of interventional spine procedures. He has given over 100 lectures at national and international meetings. He currently is on the Spine Intervention Society Board of Directors as the Chair of Research, and within the North American Spine Society is Chair of the Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Section as well as Co-Chair for the Coverage Committee. In Part 2 of his presentation, he indicated that the study by Wolf and his group was observational and retrospective, so there are some missing data. They enrolled patients based on provocation discography, which you hope would resul

Dr. Byron Schneider is currently an associate professor with the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and serves as the Director of the Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship. Previously, he completed his residency and interventional spine fellowship at Stanford University. He has nearly 100 publications, with a research focus on the safety and outcomes of interventional spine procedures. He has given over 100 lectures at national and international meetings. He currently is on the Spine Intervention Society Board of Directors as the Chair of Research, and within the North American Spine Society is Chair of the Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Section as well as Co-Chair for the Coverage Committee. In Part 1 of his presentation, the focus was on a systematic review that was done of how stem cells and PRP pertain to back pain. He began by going over the history and regulations. Traditionally as it pertains to all biologics, they

Dr. Baumhauer is a tenured Professor and serves as the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She also is the Associate Chair of Academic Affairs within the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Rochester. In addition to providing clinical care and performing surgery, she holds the position as the Director of the Clinical Health Informatics Core for the UR Healthcare System and is a board of director of Accountable Health Partners, ACO for the Rochester Region. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. She completed orthopaedic residency at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont and a Fellowship in Foot and Ankle Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She also completed a Masters in Public Health degree from the University of Rochester. Dr. Baumhauer is the past president of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), and East

Dr. Baumhauer is a tenured Professor and serves as the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She also is the Associate Chair of Academic Affairs within the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Rochester. In addition to providing clinical care and performing surgery, she holds the position as the Director of the Clinical Health Informatics Core for the UR Healthcare System and is a board of director of Accountable Health Partners, ACO for the Rochester Region. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Vermont College of Medicine. She completed orthopaedic residency at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont and a Fellowship in Foot and Ankle Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She also completed a Masters in Public Health degree from the University of Rochester. Dr. Baumhauer is the past president of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), and East

Dr. Kendall is a second-year resident physician at Rusk. She completed her undergraduate education in Nutrition Science with honors from Purdue University. Subsequently, she was awarded Master’s Student of the Year in 2017 by the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences for her graduate work in Cancer Epigenetics and Nutriepigenomics. Since discovering the field of physiatry as a medical student, she has adamantly pursued neurorehabilitation, spinal cord injury, and pain medicine research. She serves on the American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AOCPMR) Resident Council, regularly provides mentorship to aspiring physiatrists, and serves on the Rusk Rehabilitation residency wellness committee. Her current rehabilitation interests include interventional spine medicine and movement disorders.   The following items were discussed in this one-part interview: incidence and prevalence data for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the U.S.; the role of heredity; demograp

Originally from Brooklyn, Dr. Klyachman is the son of two Russian speaking immigrants and among the first in his family to pursue a career in medicine. He attended the University at Buffalo for his undergraduate education and continued his medical education at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harlem. After graduating, he went to Florida to complete an internship and currently is in the fourth year of a rehabilitation residency at NYU Rusk. He recently matched into a fellowship at NYU where he plans to continue specialty training that starts in July 2023.  The following items were discussed in this one-part interview: a typical day in the life of a medical resident at Rusk; involvement in research at Rusk; area of specialization upon completion of the residency; types of components that should be included for residents in a skilled nursing facility level rehabilitation program, such as prediction tools for identifying and stratifying patients being discharged to a skilled nursing facility; social media

Dr. Lindsey Gurin is a clinical assistant professor of neurology, psychiatry, and rehabilitation medicine at NYU Langone Health. She is dual board-certified in neurology and psychiatry and currently serves as Director of Behavioral Neurology at NYU Langone Orthopedics Hospital, where she provides neuropsychiatric consultation to the Rusk acute inpatient brain injury rehabilitation service. She also is Director of the NYU Combined Psychiatry/Neurology Residency Training Program. Dr. Gurin has published on neuropsychiatric manifestations of brain injury and her current research interests include psychosis after brain injury; disorders of consciousness; and catatonia in patients with neurologic disorders. Dr. Brian Im is heavily involved in program development and academic medicine. He has an active role in brain injury rehabilitation research at NYU. After completing medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University, a rehabilitation residency at NYU School of Medicine/Rusk Rehabilitation, and a fellowship in b

Dr. Lindsey Gurin is a clinical assistant professor of neurology, psychiatry, and rehabilitation medicine at NYU Langone Health. She is dual board-certified in neurology and psychiatry and currently serves as Director of Behavioral Neurology at NYU Langone Orthopedics Hospital, where she provides neuropsychiatric consultation to the Rusk acute inpatient brain injury rehabilitation service. She also is Director of the NYU Combined Psychiatry/Neurology Residency Training Program. Dr. Gurin has published on neuropsychiatric manifestations of brain injury and her current research interests include psychosis after brain injury; disorders of consciousness; and catatonia in patients with neurologic disorders. Dr. Brian Im is heavily involved in program development and academic medicine. He has an active role in brain injury rehabilitation research at NYU. After completing medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University, a rehabilitation residency at NYU School of Medicine/Rusk Rehabilitation, and a fellowship in b

Part Two included a discussion of the barriers that students still face despite the ADA. They did not seek supportive accommodations because of stigma or fear. Dr. Rizzo wanted to draw attention to definitions of disability. He also emphasized that people with disabilities can help with accessibility and for coming up with empathetic dialogue that is critical in moving forward as a medical community. These agendas must be pushed here at NYU to ensure that we are doing enough to increase disability inclusion and also to ensure that patients are receiving the preventive medicine that they actually need. Dr. Wu indicated that in his research conducted 30 years ago, deans not only were asked how many medical school students have disabilities, but also “how did they do?” Did you do the right thing for society by producing good physicians at the end or did you pass along somebody who shouldn’t be there? The result was those students did as well and better than their able-bodied counterparts.