Rusk Insights On Rehabilitation Medicine

Dr. Jonas Sokolof is Director of the Division of Oncological Rehabilitation and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He is certified by the American Board of PM&R both in Sports Medicine and in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. His doctor of osteopathy degree is from the New York Institute Of Technology. His Residency occurred at the Harvard Medical School and the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. He also had a fellowship in sports medicine from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Prior to arriving at NYU Langone Health in 2018, he was at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. In Part 1, we discussed the following:  if the recent COVID resurgence affected his ability to furnish care for patients with cancer; the types of cancer in which most of his patients can be found; what manual medicine entails; assessment of patients' emotional needs; supportive needs of patients of an informational, spir

Dr. Jonas Sokolof is Director of the Division of Oncological Rehabilitation and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He is certified by the American Board of PM&R both in Sports Medicine and in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. His doctor of osteopathy degree is from the New York Institute Of Technology. His Residency occurred at the Harvard Medical School and the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. He also had a fellowship in sports medicine from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Prior to arriving at NYU Langone Health in 2018, he was at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. In Part 1, we discussed the following:  if the recent COVID resurgence affected his ability to furnish care for patients with cancer; the types of cancer in which most of his patients can be found; what manual medicine entails; assessment of patients' emotional needs; supportive needs of patients of an informational,

PART TWO In Part 1, Dr. Kim presented information about the historical and legal background for cannabis, variations in policies in the states, and the status of current research. In Part 2, she discussed cancer pain that is not neuropathic. She described the results of a study that involved opioid refractory cancer pain. Evidence currently shows that patients who have increased access to cannabis actually have higher rates of opioid overdose and deaths. She reviewed a case of one of her patients who had prostate cancer. This individual was not amenable to physical therapy and was weaned off opioids because they were not effective. Finally, they decided to try different types of cannabis for pain and sleep and he is doing quite well. He eventually used a combination of low and high THC capsules and was weaned off all other drugs. She and her colleagues also looked at how patients considered the use of cannabinoid therapy and found that overall they preferred it for their future chemo. Even though cannabis is

PART ONE In Part 1 of a two-segment presentation, Dr. Kim discussed historical and legal background for medical cannabis and cannabis in general; mechanism of action; applications for pain and symptom management; the science behind cannabis for cancer care; relative safety issues; contraindications and monitoring; and some public health concerns. She defined cannabis, marijuana, hemp, and indicated various code names for recreational marijuana. Marijuana was criminalized and removed from the U.S. Pharmacopeia in 1941, Most recently, some states have legalized it both medically and recreationally. For medical purposes, there is a lot of variation in what states will allow. A concern has been about the presence of contaminants in many products. Based on current research, the science and the evidence are not where they could be ideally. She discussed marijuana and how it works, mentioning the endocannabinoid system. Different ways exist to act on that system. She described the entourage effect and how it functio

Dr. Kim received his medical degree from SUNY Brooklyn and he completed a residency in both physical medicine and rehabilitation, along with a fellowship in anesthesiology and pain management at Mt. Sinai. He is board certified in both PM&R and anesthesiology. In Part 1 of his presentation, he indicated that he would mention some specific products and companies, but he does not have a financial relationship with them. One of his objectives is to provide background information about PNS. Currently, there is an increase in this kind of technology and also in the demand for non-opioid pain management. PNS can be fitted into the specialty of neuro modulation, a field that touches upon multiple specialties, including PM&R. The basic goal in PNS is to stimulate the nerve and reduce unwanted pain. PNS has been around since the early 1960s.  Pain is the most common indicator for employing its usage. Dr. Kim has a specific interest in post-stroke shoulder pain, which is a difficult condition to treat. Post-sur

Dr. Kim received his medical degree from SUNY Brooklyn and he completed a residency in both physical medicine and rehabilitation, along with a fellowship in anesthesiology and pain management at Mt. Sinai. He is board certified in both PM&R and anesthesiology. In Part 1 of his presentation, he indicated that he would mention some specific products and companies, but he does not have a financial relationship with them. One of his objectives is to provide background information about PNS. Currently, there is an increase in this kind of technology and also in the demand for non-opioid pain management. PNS can be fitted into the specialty of neuro modulation, a field that touches upon multiple specialties, including PM&R. The basic goal in PNS is to stimulate the nerve and reduce unwanted pain. PNS has been around since the early 1960s.  Pain is the most common indicator for employing its usage. Dr. Kim has a specific interest in post-stroke shoulder pain, which is a difficult condition to treat. Post-sur

Dr. Joshua Rozell is a hip and knee replacement surgeon at NYU Langone with practices in Brooklyn and Manhattan. He specializes in anterior approach hip replacement, computer-navigated and robotic knee replacements, and outpatient joint replacement surgery. Many of the techniques he uses allow patients to recover more quickly and improve their function and strength after surgery. He did his undergraduate training at Emory University, went to medical school at Drexel University, and had his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania, along with a hip and knee replacement fellowship at the prestigious Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado.   Dr. Manuel Wilfred is a physical therapist who provides care for joint replacement patients at NYU Langone-Brooklyn. He has worked with orthopedic patients both inpatient and outpatient throughout his 19 years in the profession. Prior to being at NYU Langone-Brooklyn, he received his bachelor's degree in physical therapy from India and then he left that cou

Dr. Joshua Rozell is a hip and knee replacement surgeon at NYU Langone with practices in Brooklyn and Manhattan. He specializes in anterior approach hip replacement, computer-navigated and robotic knee replacements, and outpatient joint replacement surgery. Many of the techniques he uses allow patients to recover more quickly and improve their function and strength after surgery. He did his undergraduate training at Emory University, went to medical school at Drexel University, and had his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania, along with a hip and knee replacement fellowship at the prestigious Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado.   Dr. Manuel Wilfred is a physical therapist who provides care for joint replacement patients at NYU Langone-Brooklyn. He has worked with orthopedic patients both inpatient and outpatient throughout his 19 years in the profession. Prior to being at NYU Langone-Brooklyn, he received his bachelor's degree in physical therapy from India and then he left that co

In Part 2 of his presentation on the topic of diversity and inclusion in medicine, Dr. Lopez continued describing the use of a holistic approach to interview candidates for admission to NYU’s PM&R residency program. Factors currently being  taken into account other than board scores, include socio economic hardship, commitment to the underserved, work experience, and fluency in other languages. A task force also was formed to review every candidate individually. Interviews  presently involve taking a closer look at structured behavioral interview questions, which can be used to measure factors, such as professionalism and teamwork. Interviewers also are blinded to board scores to eliminate a higher halo effect that might exist. Dr. Lopez then reviewed the results of the latest match and identified the kinds of efforts that should be undertaken to increase the proportion of underrepresented groups, including women and members of the LGBTQ community. More diversity is welcome at NYU. Change is not going

In Part I, Dr. Lopez wanted to familiarize listeners in this grand rounds presentation with a history of minorities in medicine and to describe current trends in diversity and inclusion in medicine in general and specifically in PM&R.  He identified arguments for diversity and contrasted past, present, and future recruitment efforts at NYU. He also discussed this years’ match data results. Historically, there have been many challenges for minorities to gain a foothold in medicine. He wanted to furnish objective data about this situation. These individuals had a problem right from the beginning in obtaining admission to medical schools. He described enrollment data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and compared it to U.S. Census Bureau data. Over the last 50 years, Dr. Lopez noted how medical schools have tried to do something about increasing the proportion of students from underrepresented minority groups. Specific information entailed showing what has occurred in PM&R, i

Dr. Ryan Branski is the Howard A. Rusk Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Research and the Vice Chair for Research in Rehabilitation Medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He also has appointments in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in the school of medicine and Communicative Sciences and Disorders in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Dr. Branski runs a productive research enterprise encompassing both clinical and laboratory initiatives. His NIH-funded laboratory primarily focuses on wound healing and regenerative approaches to optimized healing in the upper aerodigestive track. Dr. Branski is one of only a few investigators to be named Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the American Speech Language Hearing Association, and the American Laryngological Association. In Part 1 of his presentation, Dr. Branski discussed how efforts are underway to push research over the top in productivity at NYU. It is important to consider

Dr. Ryan Branski is the Howard A. Rusk Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Research and the Vice Chair for Research in Rehabilitation Medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He also has appointments in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in the school of medicine and Communicative Sciences and Disorders in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Dr. Branski runs a productive research enterprise encompassing both clinical and laboratory initiatives. His NIH-funded laboratory primarily focuses on wound healing and regenerative approaches to optimized healing in the upper aerodigestive track. Dr. Branski is one of only a few investigators to be named Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the American Speech Language Hearing Association, and the American Laryngological Association. In Part 1 of his presentation, Dr. Branski discussed how efforts are underway to push research over the top in productivity at NYU. It is important to consider

This is a special two-part Grand Rounds series with Dr. Steven Flanagan, Professor and Chairman of Rehabilitation Medicine and Medical Director of Rusk Rehabilitation.  In Part 1 of his presentation, Dr. Flanagan discusses the contributions of Dr. Howard Rusk, the father of rehabilitation medicine. He brought it to the forefront as a recognized specialty by showing that rehabilitation contributed to improving the lives of patients with disabilities. Dr. Flanagan referred to various efforts over the decades to manage health care costs through managed care and other means. Even today when it is evident that a inpatient care is necessary, barriers can offer resistance because of the costs involved. What makes the case of inpatient care more challenging is the need to have more data to justify the decision to provide care at that level. He predicts that cost containment will continue well into the future. Our aims are to improve health care outcomes and increase efficiency. He concluded Part 1 of his presentation

This is a special two-part Grand Rounds series with Dr. Steven Flanagan, Professor and Chairman of Rehabilitation Medicine and Medical Director of Rusk Rehabilitation.  In Part 1 of his presentation, Dr. Flanagan discusses the contributions of Dr. Howard Rusk, the father of rehabilitation medicine. He brought it to the forefront as a recognized specialty by showing that rehabilitation contributed to improving the lives of patients with disabilities. Dr. Flanagan referred to various efforts over the decades to manage health care costs through managed care and other means. Even today when it is evident that a inpatient care is necessary, barriers can offer resistance because of the costs involved. What makes the case of inpatient care more challenging is the need to have more data to justify the decision to provide care at that level. He predicts that cost containment will continue well into the future. Our aims are to improve health care outcomes and increase efficiency. He concluded Part 1 of his presentation

Dr. Mahya Beheshti is a physician scientist at NYU Langone Health’s Rusk Rehabilitation Institute. She has been working at the Visuomotor Integration Laboratory with the focus on eye-hand coordination research as it relates to acquired brain injury. She also collaborates with  the Rehabilitation Engineering Alliance and Center Transforming Low Vision Laboratory where her research involves advanced wearables for sensory deprived patients. Additionally, she is a Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering PhD student at NYU-Tandon. Dr. J.R. Rizzo also is a physician scientist at NYU Langone Health’s Rusk Rehabilitation Institute. He serves as Director of Innovation and Technology for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with cross-appointments in the Department of Neurology and the Departments of Biomedical & Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at NYU-Tandon. He also is the Associate Director of Healthcare for the renowned NYU Wireless Laboratory in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at NYU-Ta

Dr. Mahya Beheshti is a physician scientist at NYU Langone Health’s Rusk Rehabilitation Institute. She has been working at the Visuomotor Integration Laboratory with the focus on eye-hand coordination research as it relates to acquired brain injury. She also collaborates with  the Rehabilitation Engineering Alliance and Center Transforming Low Vision Laboratory where her research involves advanced wearables for sensory deprived patients. Additionally, she is a Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering PhD student at NYU-Tandon. Dr. J.R. Rizzo also is a physician scientist at NYU Langone Health’s Rusk Rehabilitation Institute. He serves as Director of Innovation and Technology for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with cross-appointments in the Department of Neurology and the Departments of Biomedical & Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at NYU-Tandon. He also is the Associate Director of Healthcare for the renowned NYU Wireless Laboratory in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at NYU-Ta

Dr. Robert Gordon is the Director of Intern Training and Associate Director of Postdoctoral Fellow Training at Rusk Rehabilitation Institute and Clinical Associate Professor at New York University Grossman School of Medicine. He has been the Director of Intern Training since 1995 and has trained over 270 psychology interns. He has specialties in the areas of neuropsychological and forensic testing and psychotherapy with children and adults with physical and learning disabilities and chronic illness. He has published in the areas of existential-humanistic and relational therapeutic approaches during COVID-19 with patients with preexisting conditions, ethics, supervision, relational psychoanalysis, dream interpretation, pain management, and the use of projective testing in neuropsychology. He received his doctorate from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University in Child Clinical/School Psychology in 1985 and a Certificate in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy from Adelphi University in 1999.

Dr. Robert Gordon is the Director of Intern Training and Associate Director of Postdoctoral Fellow Training at Rusk Rehabilitation Institute and Clinical Associate Professor at New York University Grossman School of Medicine. He has been the Director of Intern Training since 1995 and has trained over 270 psychology interns. He has specialties in the areas of neuropsychological and forensic testing and psychotherapy with children and adults with physical and learning disabilities and chronic illness. He has published in the areas of existential-humanistic and relational therapeutic approaches during COVID-19 with patients with preexisting conditions, ethics, supervision, relational psychoanalysis, dream interpretation, pain management, and the use of projective testing in neuropsychology. He received his doctorate from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University in Child Clinical/School Psychology in 1985 and a Certificate in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy from Adelphi University in 1

Dr. Joan Gold is a clinical professor in the Department of Rehabilitation at Rusk Rehabilitation, NYU Langone Health. Her medical degree is from the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center. She completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the NYU Medical Center and her residency in pediatrics at Beth Israel Medical Center. She is board certified in the following three areas: Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and also in Pediatrics. Her area of specialization includes the pediatric disorders cerebral palsy and spina bifida. This is a special two-part Grand Rounds series. In Part 1 of her presentation, Dr. Gold contrasted a time 50 years ago when she made a presentation on the topic of spina bifida. Today, we have a change in attitude and a change in medical information since that earlier period and we also need to be aware of long-term care needs and the need for continuity of care of these patients, and all our patients who are aging

Dr. Joan Gold is a clinical professor in the Department of Rehabilitation at Rusk Rehabilitation, NYU Langone Health. Her medical degree is from the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center. She completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the NYU Medical Center and her residency in pediatrics at Beth Israel Medical Center. She is board certified in the following three areas: Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and also in Pediatrics. Her area of specialization includes the pediatric disorders cerebral palsy and spina bifida. This is a special two-part Grand Rounds series. In Part 1 of her presentation, Dr. Gold contrasted a time 50 years ago when she made a presentation on the topic of spina bifida. Today, we have a change in attitude and a change in medical information since that earlier period and we also need to be aware of long-term care needs and the need for continuity of care of these patients, and all our patients who are aging