Physician Bios

Kevin J. Mullins, MD, FAANS, FACS | Salvatore M. Zavarella, DO, FACOS | Amit Sharma, MD | Joshua E. Ryan, MD | Salvatore Insinga, D.O. | Michael A. Hershey, MD | Jerry Thomas, DO | Reginald M. Rousseau, M.D.

Spine Surgeons

Kevin J. Mullins, MD, FAANS, FACS

Board-certified Neurological Surgeon
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Medical Director of SpineCare Long Island

Dr. Kevin J. Mullins is a board certified neurosurgeon who specializes in the management of spinal and cranial disorders. In July 2013, Dr. Mullins was named the Chairman of the Neuroscience Service Line at Catholic Health Services (CHS) of Long Island. In that role, he coordinates the neuroscience services of CHS’ six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, a regional home care and hospice network, and a community-based agency for persons with special needs. CHS has identified neuroscience as a critical service line, and Dr. Mullins leads the planning and implementation of strategic initiatives for this program.

Dr. Mullins is the Chief of Neurosurgery and Director of Neurosurgical Services at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, a position he has held since 2000. He previously served as the Chief of Neurosurgery for Southside Hospital from 2000-2010, and Director of the Harvey Cushing Neuroscience Institute at Southside Hospital from 2005-2010.

Since 2005, Dr. Mullins has been recognized annually as one of the Best Doctors in America. He was also named Long Island’s Top Neurosurgeon by the Long Island Business News (2007), and received the “Patients’ Choice Award” in 2010. Dr. Mullins is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of numerous local and national medical and neurosurgical societies including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Dr. Mullins obtained his undergraduate degree from Bucknell University where he graduated cum laude, and his medical degree with Alpha Omega Alpha honors from the University of Rochester School of Medicine. He completed his general surgery internship and residency in neurological surgery at the University of Rochester, then obtained advanced training in spine surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Mullins was a Clinical Associate in Neurological Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital prior to returning to Long Island where he grew up.

Dr. Mullins has performed over 5,000 neurosurgical operations and specializes in the management of neck and back problems. Patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation, most being managed with non-operative interventions such as physical therapy or pain management. For a minority of patients who require surgery, Dr. Mullins performs a full spectrum of surgical procedures that range from minimally invasive to complex spinal reconstruction. Dr. Mullins also has extensive experience in the surgical and radiosurgical management of primary and metastatic brain tumors.

PUBLICATIONS

• Ransom ER, Komotar RJ, Mocco J, Connolly ES, Mullins KJ: Shunt Failure in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension with Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak: Case Report and Review of the Literature
• Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, Vol. 13, Issue 5, June 2006, Pages 598-602
• Kevin J. Mullins, MD, Ana Rubio, MD, Steven P. Myers, MD, David N. Korones, MD, Webster H. Pilcher MD, PhD,: Malignant Ependymomas in a Patient with Turcot’s Syndrome: Case Report and Management Guidelines. Surgical Neurology. 49:290-294, 1998.
• Kevin J. Mullins, MD, Steven P. Myers, MD, Ann Marie Kazee, MD, James M. Powers, MD, and Paul K. Maurer, MD,: Primary Solitary Amyloidosis of the Spine: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Surgical Neurology. 48:405-408, 1997.
• Steven P. Myers, MD, Kevin J. Mullins, MD, and Ann Marie Kazee, MD,: Unifocal Amyloidoma of the Cervical Spine: A Case Report. J. Comp Assist Tom Vol. 20, No. 4, 592-593, 1996.
• J. Lane, MD, F. Ghavimi, MD, P. Exelby, MD, L. Mandell, MD, K. Mullins, MD, and J. Bernstein, MD: Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Appendicular Skeleton: Survival and Treatment Considerations. Chirurgia Degli Organi Di Movimento.
  75(1 Supplement): 163-5, 1990.

Salvatore M. Zavarella, DO, FACOS

Board-certified Neurological Surgeon
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Director of Spine Surgery at SpineCare Long Island

Dr. Salvatore M. Zavarella is a board certified neurosurgeon, and is an integral part of the neurosurgical team at SPINECARE. Dr. Zavarella obtained his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his general surgery internship and residency in Neurological Surgery at Hofstra North Shore-Long Island Jewish School of Medicine. Dr. Zavarella recently completed a prestigious fellowship at The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where he obtained advanced clinical specialization in neurosurgical oncology, with a focus on the surgical treatment of primary and metastatic spine tumors and performing awake brain tumor surgery. During this time he published peer-reviewed papers on the treatment of metastatic spine tumors and was invited to write a chapter in a prominent spine textbook.

Dr. Zavarella received his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences from the State University of New York at Buffalo where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He received the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute scholarship for international research, and from this work he was able to secure a position as Laboratory Manager at Buffalo’s Roswell Park Cancer Institute in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.

The recipient of multiple foundation grants for research, Dr. Zavarella started a clinical trial entitled “The brain and spinal cord tissue donation program” whereby spinal cord and brain tumor patients could donate a portion of their tumor specimen, at the time of surgery, to study cell signaling mechanisms in central nervous system tumors.  From this work, Dr. Zavarella has published cell signaling mechanisms involved in the invasion of medulloblastoma and glioma cells.

Dr. Zavarella’s clinical expertise is in the treatment of complex spine tumors, adult degenerative deformity and scoliosis, herniated disc, spinal fractures, spinal stenosis, disc arthroplasty, minimally invasive spine surgery including lateral spine surgery, peripheral nerve tumor surgery, brain tumor surgery including awake surgery for metastatic and primary brain tumors.

Dr. Zavarella’s focus is to treat neurosurgical disorders with a non-operative conservative or minimally invasive approach when possible, and when surgery is indicated he is able to offer a wide range of open and minimally invasive options tailored to each patient.

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

• “Can the spinal instability neoplastic score prior to spinal radiosurgery predict compression fractures following stereotactic spinal radiosurgery for metastatic spinal tumor?: a post hoc analysis of prospective phase II single-institution trials.” J Neurooncol. 2016.  Authors: Zavarella SM1, Lee SH1,2, Tatsui CE3, Ghia AJ4, Amini B5, Li J4, Tannir NM6, Brown PD4, Rhines LD1.
• Coniglio S, Zavarella S, Symons M. “Pak1 and Pak2 mediate tumor cell invasion through distinct signaling mechanisms.” Mol Cell Biol. 2008 Jun;28(12):4162-72.
• Zavarella S, Nakada M, Belverud S, Coniglio SJ, Chan A, Mittler MA, Schneider SJ, Symons M. “Role of Rac1-regulated signaling in medulloblastoma invasion. Laboratory Investigation.” J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2009 Aug;4(2):97-104.
• Zavarella S, Schulder M. “Role of iMRI in the resection of meningioma.” (in press)
• Zavarella S, Schulder M. “Awake craniotomy with low field iMRI guidance.” (in progress)

CHAPTERS

• Salvatore M Zavarella and Michael Schulder. “Intraoperative Anatomical Imaging.” Principles and Practice of Neuro-Oncology. Ed. Mehta et al. Demos Medical Publishing. NY 2011

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

• “Rac1-regulated signaling as a novel therapeutic target for medulloblastoma.” Congress of Neurological Surgeons. San Diego, CA. September 2007.
• “Rac1-mediated signaling in Medulloblastoma.” Feinstein Institute for Medical Research Annual Retreat. Mohonk, NY. October 2007.
• “Update on Brain and Spinal Cord Tissue Donation Program and Development of Novel Brain Tumor Stem Cell Isolation Protocol.” Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery Grand Rounds. November 2007.
• “Role of Rac1-mediated signaling in Medulloblastoma Invasion.” American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Chicago, IL. April 2008.
• “GTPase-mediated signaling in Medulloblastoma Invasion and Growth.” American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery. April 2008.
  • “Identification of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors as novel therapeutic targets for medulloblastoma invasion.” Congress of Neurological Surgeons. New Orleans, LA. October 2009.
• “Medulloblastoma and Invasion.” New York Neurosurgical Society Resident Research Night. New York, NY. May 2010.
• “Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors and medulloblastoma invasion.” International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology. Vienna, Austria. June 2010.
• “iMRI and the Meningioma.” Intraoperative Imaging Society. Zurich, Switzerland. January 2011.
• “Potential Medulloblastoma Therapeutic Targets.” Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery Graduation Symposium. June 2011
• “GEF’s in Medulloblastoma Invasion.” Congress of Neurological Surgery. Washington DC. October 2011.
• “TRIO as a novel therapeutic target for medulloblastoma.” AOA National Meeting September 2012. 1st Place Neurosurgical Resident Paper Award
• “Awake iMRI for dominant hemisphere lesions.” iOIS Annual Meeting. St Louis, Missouri. February 2013. 

ABSTRACTS / POSTERS

• Zavarella SM, Belverud S, Chan A, Steinberg B, Mittler M, Schneider S, Symons M. “Rac1-regulated signaling as a novel therapeutic target for medulloblastoma.” Congress of Neurological Surgeons. San Diego, CA. September 2007.
• Zavarella SM, Coniglio S, Belverud S, Mittler M, Schneider S, Symons M. “Rac1-mediated signaling in Medulloblastoma.” Feinstein Institute for Medical Research Annual Retreat. Mohonk, NY. October 2007.
• Zavarella SM, Belverud S, Chan A, Steinberg B, Mittler M, Schneider S, Symons M. “Rac1-regulated signaling as a novel therapeutic target for medulloblastoma.” Society for Neuro-Oncology. San Antonio, TX. November 2007.
• Zavarella SM, Coniglio S, Belverud S, Mittler M, Schneider S, Symons M. “Role of Rac1-mediated signaling in Medulloblastoma Invasion.” American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Chicago, IL. April 2008.
• Zavarella SM, Coniglio S, Belverud S, Mittler M, Schneider S, Symons M. “Role of GTPase-mediated signaling in Medulloblastoma Invasion and Growth.” American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery. April 2008.
• Zavarella SM, Belverud S, Mittler M, Schneider S, Symons M. “Identification of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors as novel therapeutic targets for medulloblastoma invasion.” Congress of Neurological Surgeons. New Orleans, LA. October 2009.
• Zavarella SM, Latefi A, Schulder M. “Intraoperative MRI for Surgery of Intracranial Meningiomas.” Joint Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the AANS/CNS Section on Tumors. New Orleans, LA. October 2009.
• Zavarella SM, Quinn J, Latefi A, Schulder M. “Stereotactic Brain Biopsy with Low Field Intraoperative MRI.” Joint Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the AANS/CNS Section on Tumors. New Orleans, LA. October 2009.
• Zavarella SM, Schneider, S, Symons, M. “Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors and medulloblastoma invasion.” International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology. Vienna, Austria. June 2010.
  
• Zavarella SM, Schulder, M. “iMRI and the Meningioma.” Intraoperative Imaging Society. Zurich, Switzerland. January 2011.
• Zavarella SM, Didier S, Mittler M, Schneider S, and Symons M. “GEF’s in    Medulloblastoma    Invasion.” Congress of Neurological Surgery. Washington DC. October 2011.
  • Schuler M, Zavarella SM, Nardi D, Schaffer S. “Combined brain mapping and Intraoperative MRI for brain tumor resection.” Neuro Oncol. Nov 2011; 13(Suppl 3): iii154-iii163.
  • Zavarella SM, Schulder M. “Awake Low-field iMRI for dominant hemisphere lesions.” iOIS Annual Meeting. St Louis, Missouri. February 2013.
  • Zavarella SM, Schulder M. “Intraoperative MRI guidance for laser interstitial thermal therapy.” European Association of Neurosurgical Societies Annual Meeting. Tel Aviv, Israel. November 2013.
  • Petrizzo R, Zavarella SM, Jarchin L, Nardi D, Schaffer S, Schulder M. “Combined brain mapping and low-field intraoperative MRI for brain tumor resection.” American College of Physicians Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL. April 2014.
  • Zavarella SM, Entz L, Groppe D, Stream S, Kingsley P, Schaffer S, Mehta A. “Predicting of electrical stimulation mapping results with functional MRI: What is the margin of clearance?” Congress of Neurological Surgery. Boston, MA. October 2014.
  • Zavarella SM, Gandhi S, Nardi D, Schaffer S, Schulder M. “Combined awake brain mapping and low-field intraoperative MRI for brian tumor resection.” Society for Neuro-oncology. Miami, FL. November 2014

RESEARCH

• “Brain and Spinal Cord Tissue Donation Program.” IRB approved clinical trial and GCRC funded. Over 300 patients and 320 brain/spinal cord tumor specimens were enrolled and demographic data chronicled from 2006-present. Brain Tumor Stem Cell Isolation Protocol Developed for Medulloblastoma and Glioblastoma
• Initiated the grant-funded Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program in Laboratory for Brain Tumor Biology at Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Department of Oncology and Cell Biology.
  
  Primary Investigator: Marc Symons, PhD
  2005-Present
  
  

Joshua E. Ryan, MD

Neurological Surgeon

Dr. Joshua E. Ryan is a neurosurgeon specializing in both cranial and spinal procedures. Dr. Ryan obtained his medical degree from The University of North Carolina School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in neurological surgery at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. Dr. Ryan underwent extensive training in minimally-invasive spine surgery techniques with pioneers in the field while at Georgetown.

Dr. Ryan received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biological Sciences from North Carolina State University and graduated as valedictorian. While at NC State, he also received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Chemistry and Minors in both Genetics and English.

Minimally-invasive spine surgery utilizes natural tissue planes to decrease disruption of the natural anatomical structures. This includes muscle-splitting approaches with tubular dilators for decompressions (for spinal stenosis, disc herniation, etc.) as well as for spinal fusions. It also includes lateral lumbar fusions and percutaneous posterior instrumentation. These approaches decrease blood loss, postoperative pain, and length of stay in the hospital. Dr. Ryan uses a patient-specific approach to deciding a treatment strategy and uses minimally-invasive approaches when they are appropriate.

While Dr. Ryan’s subspecialty expertise is in minimally-invasive spine surgery, the breadth of his clinical skills spans a wide field from complex cranial operations to complex spinal fusions. His clinical approach involves comprehensive evaluation with detailed explanations about the anatomy, disease process, procedures, and treatment plan in a way that is easy for the patient to understand. He takes a non-operative approach when surgery can be avoided and utilizes treatment modalities such as physical therapy and pain management when appropriate.

Salvatore Insinga, D.O.

Board-certified Neurological Surgeon

Dr. Salvatore Insinga is a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in general neurosurgery disorders including brain tumors, spinal disorders, hydrocephalus, radiosurgery, cerebrovascular and minimally invasive techniques of the brain and spine. His clinical expertise is in endoscopic procedures of pituitary tumors and skull base. 

Dr. Insinga obtained his undergraduate degree from New York University, and his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his neurosurgical training at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and a prestigious fellowship at Winthrop University Hospital. 

In practice for over 20 years, Dr. Insinga spent five years at the St. Barnabas Health Care System in Livingston, New Jersey, before returning to New York, where he embarked upon a long and accomplished career at Northwell Health Physician Partners. 

Earlier in his career, Dr. Insinga held numerous leadership positions throughout the Northwell Health System including: Chief of Neurosurgery, Southside Hospital, Director of Neurosurgical Spine, Southside Hospital, and Director of Neurosurgery, Eastern Region.

Non-Surgical Spine Care / Interventional Spine Care

Amit Sharma, MD

Board-certified in Interventional Pain Medicine
Interventional Spine Care Specialist
Director of Interventional Pain Management at SpineCare Long Island

Dr. Amit Sharma is a board certified physician who specializes in interventional pain management. Dr. Sharma is the Director of the Pain Program at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, and also serves as its Chairman of the Division of Pain Medicine for the Department of Anesthesiology.

Recognized by his peers for his skills and commitment, Dr. Sharma has been selected by Castle Connolly as one of the Top Doctors in the US for Pain Medicine for the last several years. He was also recognized recently by New York Magazine and Newsday as a Best Doctor in his field.  He has also consistently received the “Patients Choice Awards” and “Compassionate Doctor Award” for many years.  He is a lifetime member of American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and a member of numerous national and international pain societies.

Dr. Sharma did his residency in anesthesiology at The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University in New York City. On completion, he was rewarded as the best resident of the year.  He then obtained fellowship training in interventional pain medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He was honored with Pfizer best fellow of the year by Johns Hopkins. Dr. Sharma served as an Assistant Professor at Columbia University prior to going in private practice.

Having performed over 18,000 interventional procedures over the past few years, Dr. Sharma specializes in the diagnosis and management of back and neck problems, along with neuropathic and cancer pain.  He also has special interest in ischemic pain and peripheral vascular disease related issues.  He has an expertise in neuromodulation (spinal cord stimulation), intrathecal drug delivery systems, minimally invasive spine procedures (Kyphoplasty, Intradiscal Electrothermy, Nucleoplasty, MILD) and radiofrequency ablative procedures.  Along with the other physicians at SpineCare Long Island, he is a strong proponent of non-operative options such as physical therapy and acupuncture.

Dr. Sharma is well published in peer-reviewed journals and has authored numerous textbook chapters.  He has been invited as a guest speaker at several national pain meetings.  He has also done research in the field of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS or RSD).  His team at Johns Hopkins was provided a financial grant to conduct the largest study on CRPS patients which was published in a renowned journal.  Having served as a teaching faculty, training residents and fellow doctors, Dr. Sharma carries the passion of education with him.  He believes in educating patients and spends time explaining every aspect of their treatment plan with them.

Publications (In Peer Review Literature)

• Sharma A, Agarwal S, Broatch JW, Raja SN. A Web Based Epidemiological Survey of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2009 Mar-Apr;34(2):110-5.
• Sharma A, Williams K, Raja SN. Advances in treatment of complex regional pain syndrome: recent insights on a perplexing disease. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2006 Oct;19(5):566-572.
• Sharma A, Pagel PS, Bhatia A. Intraoperative iatrogenic acute pericardial tamponade: use of rescue transesophageal echocardiography in a patient undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2005 Jun;19(3):364-6.
• Jooste EH, Sharma A, Zhang Y, Emala CW. Rapacuronium Augments Acetylcholine-induced Bronchoconstriction via Positive Allosteric Interactions at the M3 Muscarinic Receptor. Anesthesiology. 2005 Dec;103(6):1195-1203.
• Christo PJ, Hobelman JG, Sharma A. Aging and the Neurobiology of Addiction. J Geriatrics & Aging, 2005 Nov/Dec;8(10):48-52.

Editorial Experience

• Section Editor (Acute and Chronic Pain): Marcucci: Avoiding Common Anesthesia Errors, Catherine Marcucci, Norman A. Cohen, David G. Metro, Jeffery R. Kirsch (Eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008.
• Referee, Cochrane Pain, Palliative & Supportive Care (PaPaS) Review Group (2007 – Present).

Textbook Chapters

• Sharma A, Raja SN. Assessment and Management of Chronic Pain and Palliative Care. In: Geriatric Anesthesia, Fredirick E. Sieber (Ed.). The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2007. PP 319-336.
• Sharma A. The basal infusion mode in patient controlled analgesia is both friend and foe, In: Marcucci: Avoiding Common Anesthesia Errors, Catherine Marcucci, Norman A. Cohen, David G. Metro, Jeffery R. Kirsch (Eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008. PP 725-30.
• Sharma A. Rule out facet arthropathy before initiating expensive and invasive maneuvers for back and spine pain, In: Marcucci: Avoiding Common Anesthesia Errors, Catherine Marcucci, Norman A. Cohen, David G. Metro, Jeffery R. Kirsch (Eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008. PP 741-47.
• Sharma A. Do not guess at the equivalent dose when determining an opioid conversion, In: Marcucci: Avoiding Common Anesthesia Errors, Catherine Marcucci, Norman A. Cohen, David G. Metro, Jeffery R. Kirsch (Eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008. PP 712-19.
• Sharma A. Management of perioperative pain in opioid dependent patient – Out of the frying pan, into the fire, In: Marcucci: Avoiding Common Anesthesia Errors, Catherine Marcucci, Norman A. Cohen, David G. Metro, Jeffery R. Kirsch (Eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008. PP 732-35.
• Sharma A., Kathuria SS. Anesthesia for eye surgery – The innate culture of “1-N-1”, In: Marcucci: Avoiding Common Anesthesia Errors, Catherine Marcucci, Norman A. Cohen, David G. Metro, Jeffery R. Kirsch (Eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008. PP 339-343.
• Sharma A. Consider the paramedian approach for the thoracic epidural placement, especially at the mid-thoracic level, In: Marcucci: Avoiding Common Anesthesia Errors, Catherine Marcucci, Norman A. Cohen, David G. Metro, Jeffery R. Kirsch (Eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008. PP 441-46.
• Sharma A. Consider discussing use of ketorolac (toradol) in perioperative setting with your surgical team before the need arises, In: Marcucci: Avoiding Common Anesthesia Errors, Catherine Marcucci, Norman A. Cohen, David G. Metro, Jeffery R. Kirsch (Eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008. PP 720-24.
• Sharma A., Campbell JN, Raja SN. Sympathetic Blocks for Pain, In: The Senses: A Comprehensive Reference, Volume 5, Allan I. Basbaum, Peter Dallos, Gary K. Beauchamp, Jon H. Kaas, M. Catherine Bushnell (Eds), Elsevier Company, 2007.
• Sharma A., Raja SN. Chronic Pain and the Sympathetic Nervous System: Mechanisms and potential implications for pain therapies, In: Translational Pain Research. Volume 2: Comparing Preclinical Studies and Clinical Pain Management. Lost in Translation?, Jianren Mao (Ed), Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2006. PP 169-188.

Book Review(s)

• Sharma A., Raja SN.  CRPS: Current Diagnosis and Therapy. Wilson PR, Stanton-Hicks M, Harden RN (Eds) Progress in Pain Management Research, Vol 32.  IASP Press, 2005; Book Review. Clin J Pain. 2006 Feb;22(2):225.

Electronic Publications

• Sharma A., Raja SN. Use and abuse of opioids: The eternal debate. Original Article. MD Consult: Pain Medicine, Perspectives on contemporary topics. Retrieved on Feb 7, 2005 from https://www.mdconsult.com.
• Sharma A., Raja SN. Sex differences in clinical pain: The need for further research. Editorial. MD Consult: Pain Medicine, Perspectives on contemporary topics. Retrieved on Jan 5, 2005 from https://www.mdconsult.com.

Michael A. Hershey, MD

Board-certified in Interventional Pain Medicine

Board-certified in Anesthesiology

Fellowship-trained Interventional Spine Care Specialist

Dr. Michael A. Hershey is a physician with double board certification in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. He received his medical degree from the Weill Cornell Medical College, and his undergraduate degree from Columbia University, graduating with highest honors. After completing his residency in Anesthesiology at Columbia, he finished fellowship training in Pain Medicine at the prestigious NYU Langone Medical Center, ranked one of the 10 best hospitals in the United States in 2016-17 by US News & World Report.

Prior to residency, Dr. Hershey also completed a research fellowship in Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. His passion for medical research is evidenced by his contribution to numerous publications that investigate state-of-the-art pain treatments that safely and effectively treat a broad spectrum of pain syndromes and conditions.

Publications

• Intrathecal Morphine Pump in Managing Intractable Low Back Pain with Severe COPD. Chen Q, Hershey MA, Largi J, Zou S. American Society of Regional Anesthesia Annual meeting in San Diego, CA Nov 17-19, 2016.
• Bisphosphonates and Calcitonin: Novel Adjunctive Treatment for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in a Pediatric Patient. Hershey MA, Rivera E, Reddy P, Matthew L. Columbia University Department of Anesthesiology Academic Evening, New York, NY, May 20, 2015.
• Temperature probe position confounding double lumen endotracheal tube placement for ventriculopleural shunt.. Schaff J, Hershey MA, Kim M, Goswami S. Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Apil 11-14, 2015.
• Improvement in pain after lumbar surgery in cancer patients with mechanical radiculopathy. Moliterno J, Veselis CA, Hershey MA, Lis E, Laufer I, Bilsky MH. Spine J. 2014 Oct 1;14(10):2434-9.
• Pten Silencing Attenuates Dopamine-induced Ca2+ Influx in Striatal Neurons. Stavarache MA, Hershey MA, Musatov, SA, Kaplitt MG. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting in Washington, DC Nov 12-16 2011.

Jerry Thomas D.O.

Board-Eligible Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Specialist in non-surgical spine care

Jerry Thomas, DO is a board-eligible physiatrist, or physical medicine & rehabilitation specialist. Dr. Thomas completed a seven-year Bachelor / Medical Degree at NYIT-New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed his residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital both at Columbia University Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan, NY. During his extensive training, Dr. Thomas completed clinical rotations at Hospital for Special Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, Helen Hayes Hospital, Blythedale Children’s Hospital and James J. Peters VA Medical Center.

Dr. Thomas’ goal when evaluating and treating patients is to help each patient return to their everyday activities. Every patient is different, and whether the patient is an athlete or fitness enthusiast, or a grandparent enjoying time spent with grandchildren, Dr. Thomas works with each patient to construct a treatment plan tailored to their specific diagnosis and treatment goals.

Collaboration with the interventional pain management specialists and spine-focused neurosurgeons at SpineCare Long Island allows Dr. Thomas to offer his patients the full spectrum of treatment options. If conservative treatments have been exhausted or aren’t an option, Dr. Thomas works with other SCLI physicians and follows his patients until their goals have been met.

Dr. Thomas’ specific clinical interests include non-operative spine medicine, musculoskeletal medicine, spinal cord injury, spasticity and cancer rehabilitation. He has presented lectures on anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, journal reviews and pain medicine to a wide variety audiences. Dr. Thomas is a native New Yorker with interests in photography, weight lifting, running, music and discovering great food.

Reginald M. Rousseau, M.D.

Board-certified in Interventional Pain Medicine

Board-certified in Anesthesiology

Reginald M. Rousseau, M.D., is an interventional pain physician. He was formerly the Chief of Pain Management Services at Franklin General.

Dr. Rousseau attended Yale University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Biology. He went on to receive his medical degree from State University of New York at Stony Brook, where he also completed his medical internship.  Dr. Rousseau fulfilled his anesthesiology residency and interventional pain management fellowship at the prestigious Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, NY.

A Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology with a subspecialty certification in Pain Management, Dr. Rousseau also has a medical certification in acupuncture, which he incorporates into his holistic treatment plans.

Dr. Rousseau is heavily involved in community lectures related to pain management. He is an active member of numerous medical societies including American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, National Medical Association, American Society of Anesthesiologists and New York State Society of Anesthesiologists.

Dr.Rousseau has been committed to serving medical and humanitarian needs, both locally and abroad. Upon multiple trips to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, he partnered with organizations such as Project Medishare and Wings over Haiti, to provide immediate medical care to earthquake trauma victims, as well as supporting the establishment of a medical clinic and school for a village.

Over the past 20 years, the spine physicians at Spine Care Long Island have been the preferred back doctor for low back pain and neck pain patients from across Long Island, from the North Shore and South Shore of Nassau County and Suffolk County, and from Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn to the East End. Those with back pain or neck pain often struggle to find a back doctor or spine center that can provide a second opinion for spine surgery and offer nonsurgical treatment for back pain, neck pain, scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and pain symptoms related to a herniated disc. Spine Care Long Island is a regional spine center that provides spinal injections, minimally invasive spine surgery, artificial disc surgery and other advances in spine care.

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