Rusk Insights On Rehabilitation Medicine

Dr. Steven Flanagan, a nationally renowned expert in the field of traumatic brain injury (TBI), has worked at the Rusk Rehabilitation Institute at NYU Langone Health since 2008. He serves as the Howard A. Rusk Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine and Chairperson of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. A former President of the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), he is certified by the American Board of PM&R (Brain Injury Medicine). A graduate of the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, he completed his medical residency at Mt. Sinai Medical Center/Cabrini, Rehabilitation. Part 2 The discussion covered the following topics: Rusk’s interprofessional approach to patient care, future hiring needs, health promotion efforts to enhance health of staff, preparing Rusk residents for the future in health care, and putting patients first.  

Dr. Steven Flanagan, a nationally renowned expert in the field of traumatic brain injury (TBI), has worked at the Rusk Rehabilitation Institute at NYU Langone Health since 2008. He serves as the Howard A. Rusk Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine and Chairperson of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. A former President of the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), he is certified by the American Board of PM&R (Brain Injury Medicine). A graduate of the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, he completed his medical residency at Mt. Sinai Medical Center/Cabrini, Rehabilitation. Part 1 The discussion covered the following topics: his involvement at Rusk in patient care, research, and professional organizations; impact of COVID on Rusk; traumatic brain injury biomarkers; and recruitment and retention of health professionals.      

Dr. Molly Fuentes is medical director at the inpatient rehabilitation unit at the Seattle Children’s Hospital. Dr. Fuentes is an assistant professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Medicine. She also is a pediatric physiatrist. She completed her undergraduate degree at Stanford University and is a graduate of the School of Medicine at the University of Michigan. She completed her residency at the University of Washington and later completed a pediatric fellowship at the Seattle Children’s Hospital. She then completed a research fellowship in pediatric injury at the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center at the University of Washington. She is the medical director at the inpatient rehabilitation unit at the Seattle Children’s Hospital.   Part 2 She indicated that the Indian Health Service per capita receives half of what Medicaid receives. Treaty-bound trusts for providing health care are chronically underfunded. The Indian Health Service operates under a funding cap, which is annuall

Dr. Molly Fuentes is medical director at the inpatient rehabilitation unit at the Seattle Children’s Hospital. Dr. Fuentes is an assistant professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Medicine. She also is a pediatric physiatrist. She completed her undergraduate degree at Stanford University and is a graduate of the School of Medicine at the University of Michigan. She completed her residency at the University of Washington and later completed a pediatric fellowship at the Seattle Children’s Hospital. She then completed a research fellowship in pediatric injury at the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center at the University of Washington. She is the medical director at the inpatient rehabilitation unit at the Seattle Children’s Hospital.   Part 1 Dr. Fuentes described her life experiences that influenced her choice of a career in the area of pediatric disability. In this presentation, she wanted to: review the injury epidemiology literature for American Indian and Alaska Native childr

Shae Datta, MD is a Sports Neurologist with special interest in post-concussion syndrome, vestibulo-ocular dysfunction and the relation of integrative medicine on brain health. Her specific training allows for a variety of treatment modalities in the identification of mild traumatic brain injury and sideline concussion diagnosis. She has written a book chapter on the gut microbiome and its relation to headache syndromes in concussion.  Her primary research interests include identifying predictors of concussion recovery, examining the role of sleep during concussion recovery, and investigating the cognitive implications of concussion.  Dr. Datta serves as Vice Chair of the American Academy of Neurology's Sports Neurology Section to further awareness and develop new education initiatives in the field. Part 2 We call them psychobiotics because these specific probiotics actually are helping the targeting of treatment of things we are trying to do.) Next, we are going to discuss nutritional support of these patien

Shae Datta, MD is a Sports Neurologist with special interest in post-concussion syndrome, vestibulo-ocular dysfunction and the relation of integrative medicine on brain health. Her specific training allows for a variety of treatment modalities in the identification of mild traumatic brain injury and sideline concussion diagnosis. She has written a book chapter on the gut microbiome and its relation to headache syndromes in concussion.  Her primary research interests include identifying predictors of concussion recovery, examining the role of sleep during concussion recovery, and investigating the cognitive implications of concussion.  Dr. Datta serves as Vice Chair of the American Academy of Neurology's Sports Neurology Section to further awareness and develop new education initiatives in the field. Part 1  Today’s topic is something none of us got in medical school. What makes her successful in treating her patients is having this approach, sort of a 180-360 approach to nutritional status among the head-neck

Avery Menaker is a senior occupational therapist at NYU Rusk Rehabilitation. She is certified as both a stroke rehabilitation specialist and a brain injury specialist. She co-leads an initiative at NYU to bring high intensity practice to patients participating in occupational therapy. Faye Bronstein is the inpatient rehabilitation clinical specialist at Rusk Rehabilitation. She is board certified in neurology, geriatrics, and physical therapy, and has led initiatives to bring high intensity training practice into the NYU inpatient setting over the past three years. The following topics were among those discussed in the interview: how high intensity training differs from traditional therapy approaches and what its benefits are; kinds of patients for whom high intensity training is appropriate; research to support high intensity training; equipment needed for this intervention; what a typical high intensity treatment session looks like in physical therapy and occupational therapy; implementation challenges; whe

Dr. Andrew Bateman has worked in clinical rehabilitation and research since 1990 as a chartered physiotherapist.  He was fascinated by the problem of patients with neurological conditions not doing what he expected. So, he went off to learn more about neuropsychology and did so by completing a PhD in Neuropsychology in 1997. He was at the National Health Service until 2019 when he left to take up his current academic role as a full professor of rehabilitation.  He is a Past President and currently Treasurer of The Society for Research in Rehabilitation; and Chair of the charity “United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum” and was recently appointed President of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology. Part 3 The discussion covered the following topics: spiritual aspects of health care, use of wearable devices by patients, role of physical exercise in the care of patients, influence of dietary practices on patients’ health status, and personal research underway and expected to begin i

Dr. Andrew Bateman has worked in clinical rehabilitation and research since 1990 as a chartered physiotherapist.  He was fascinated by the problem of patients with neurological conditions not doing what he expected. So, he went off to learn more about neuropsychology and did so by completing a PhD in Neuropsychology in 1997. He was at the National Health Service until 2019 when he left to take up his current academic role as a full professor of rehabilitation.  He is a Past President and currently Treasurer of The Society for Research in Rehabilitation; and Chair of the charity “United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum” and was recently appointed President of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology.   Part 2 The discussion covered the following topics: launching new program initiatives, professionals involved in holistic neuropsychological rehabilitation, addressing health care disparities, willingness of patients to cooperate in their care, role of informal caregivers, and use of

Dr. Andrew Bateman has worked in clinical rehabilitation and research since 1990 as a chartered physiotherapist.  He was fascinated by the problem of patients with neurological conditions not doing what he expected. So, he went off to learn more about neuropsychology and did so by completing a PhD in Neuropsychology in 1997. He was at the National Health Service until 2019 when he left to take up his current academic role as a full professor of rehabilitation.  He is a Past President and currently Treasurer of The Society for Research in Rehabilitation; and Chair of the charity “United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum” and was recently appointed President of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology. Part 1 The discussion covered the following topics: diagnosing acquired brain injuries; biomarkers for neurological impairments; Long COVID and neurological symptoms; recruitment and retention of health personnel; and composition of the health care team.      

The introduction is done by Dr. Steven Flanagan, Chairperson of the Department of Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Health.  Sara Cuccurullo MD is Professor and Chairman, Residency Program Director in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Rutgers- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Medical Director, VP at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute; and Physician in Chief of HMH Rehabilitation Care Transformation Services  Talya Flemming MD is Medical Director: Stroke Recovery Program, Post-COVID Rehabilitation Program, Aftercare Program ABMS, Brain Injury Medicine Certified JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Core Associate Professor, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Part 2 Dr. Flemming described the functional results obtained from their intervention. They specifically chose the activity measure proposed for post-acute care, ab

The introduction is done by Dr. Steven Flanagan, Chairperson of the Department of Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Health. Sara Cuccurullo MD is Professor and Chairman, Residency Program Director in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Rutgers- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Medical Director, VP at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute; and Physician in Chief of HMH Rehabilitation Care Transformation Services  Talya Flemming MD is Medical Director: Stroke Recovery Program, Post-COVID Rehabilitation Program, Aftercare Program ABMS, Brain Injury Medicine Certified JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Core Associate Professor, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Part 1 Dr. Cuccurullo began by discussing their stroke recovery program, specifically investigating and analyzing the effects of a comprehensive initiative on all-ca

Catherine Parkin serves as Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, She co-authored the book, Medical aspects of disability for the rehabilitation professionals in 2017 by the Springer Publishing Company. Mary Regina Reilly has served as the Clinical Director of Speech Language Pathology at Rusk Rehabilitation, NYU Langue Health for the last ten years.  Her Master’s Degree is from Columbia University and she did her fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York.  Clinical concentration has focused on pediatric dysphagia with medically complex infants with additional efforts in developing specialty programs for adults with acquired neurogenic disorders. She was instrumental in assisting in the development of the Masters of Science Program in Communication Sciences at Yeshiva University and has served as an adjunct professor at both Mercy College and NYU Steinhardt. Dr. Angela Stolfi is the Director of Physical Therapy, Director of

Catherine Parkin serves as Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, She co-authored the book, Medical aspects of disability for the rehabilitation professionals in 2017 by the Springer Publishing Company. Mary Regina Reilly has served as the Clinical Director of Speech Language Pathology at Rusk Rehabilitation, NYU Langue Health for the last ten years.  Her Master’s Degree is from Columbia University and she did her fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York.  Clinical concentration has focused on pediatric dysphagia with medically complex infants with additional efforts in developing specialty programs for adults with acquired neurogenic disorders. She was instrumental in assisting in the development of the Masters of Science Program in Communication Sciences at Yeshiva University and has served as an adjunct professor at both Mercy College and NYU Steinhardt. Dr. Angela Stolfi is the Director of Physical Therapy, Director of

Catherine Parkin serves as Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, She co-authored the book, Medical aspects of disability for the rehabilitation professionals in 2017 by the Springer Publishing Company. Mary Regina Reilly has served as the Clinical Director of Speech Language Pathology at Rusk Rehabilitation, NYU Langue Health for the last ten years.  Her Master’s Degree is from Columbia University and she did her fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York.  Clinical concentration has focused on pediatric dysphagia with medically complex infants with additional efforts in developing specialty programs for adults with acquired neurogenic disorders. She was instrumental in assisting in the development of the Masters of Science Program in Communication Sciences at Yeshiva University and has served as an adjunct professor at both Mercy College and NYU Steinhardt. Dr. Angela Stolfi is the Director of Physical Therapy, Director of

Catherine Parkin serves as Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, She co-authored the book, Medical aspects of disability for the rehabilitation professionals in 2017 by the Springer Publishing Company. Mary Regina Reilly has served as the Clinical Director of Speech Language Pathology at Rusk Rehabilitation, NYU Langue Health for the last ten years.  Her Master’s Degree is from Columbia University and she did her fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York.  Clinical concentration has focused on pediatric dysphagia with medically complex infants with additional efforts in developing specialty programs for adults with acquired neurogenic disorders. She was instrumental in assisting in the development of the Masters of Science Program in Communication Sciences at Yeshiva University and has served as an adjunct professor at both Mercy College and NYU Steinhardt. Dr. Angela Stolfi is the Director of Physical Therapy, Director of

Dr. Heidi Fusco is an assistant professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU LANGONE Health and the Rusk Rehabilitation hospital. She is the Assistant Director of the Traumatic Brain Injury Program at Rusk and the Medical Director of the Brain Injury Unit at Queens Nassau Nursing and Rehabilitation. She completed a fellowship in Brain injury Rehab in 2013 at the Rusk Institute and is board certified in Brain Injury medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Alaina B. Hammond is a board certified rehabilitation psychologist and currently serves as Clinical Assistant Professor and Staff Psychologist in the NYU Langone Rusk Adult Inpatient - Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program.  She provides psychological and neuropsychological intervention and assessment to patients and families with acquired brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury and other illness/injuries. In addition, she supervises psychology interns and enjoys researching family/caregiver adjustment to medical illness.  Dr. Jessica Rivetz is the c

Dr. Heidi Fusco is an assistant professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU LANGONE Health and the Rusk Rehabilitation hospital. She is the Assistant Director of the Traumatic Brain Injury Program at Rusk and the Medical Director of the Brain Injury Unit at Queens Nassau Nursing and Rehabilitation. She completed a fellowship in Brain injury Rehab in 2013 at the Rusk Institute and is board certified in Brain Injury medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Alaina B. Hammond is a board certified rehabilitation psychologist and currently serves as Clinical Assistant Professor and Staff Psychologist in the NYU Langone Rusk Adult Inpatient - Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program.  She provides psychological and neuropsychological intervention and assessment to patients and families with acquired brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury and other illness/injuries. In addition, she supervises psychology interns and enjoys researching family/caregiver adjustment to medical illness.  Dr. Jessica Rivetz is the c

Dr. Heidi Fusco is an assistant professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU LANGONE Health and the Rusk Rehabilitation hospital. She is the Assistant Director of the Traumatic Brain Injury Program at Rusk and the Medical Director of the Brain Injury Unit at Queens Nassau Nursing and Rehabilitation. She completed a fellowship in Brain injury Rehab in 2013 at the Rusk Institute and is board certified in Brain Injury medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Alaina B. Hammond is a board certified rehabilitation psychologist and currently serves as Clinical Assistant Professor and Staff Psychologist in the NYU Langone Rusk Adult Inpatient - Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program.  She provides psychological and neuropsychological intervention and assessment to patients and families with acquired brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury and other illness/injuries. In addition, she supervises psychology interns and enjoys researching family/caregiver adjustment to medical illness.  Dr. Jessica Rivetz is the c

Dr. Steven DeKosky is professor of Alzheimer’s research at the University of Florida College of Medicine and Deputy Director of the McKnight Brain Institute at that institution. He also is a professor of neurology and neuroscience there. Previously, he served as vice president and dean of the University of Virginia School of Medicine and was chairperson of the department of neurology at the University of Pittsburgh. Part 2 For the short-term, with mild to moderate traumatic injury you can have altered synaptic structure and function. For the longer term, chronic inflammation and chronic oxidative stress can lead to subsequent degeneration and also some chronic microglial activation, which may turn on mechanisms that you do not necessarily want, including cleaning up partially injured neurons that may recover. Especially in patients who get the disease in an older age, there is other pathology in the CTE. There are nerve fibrillary tangle and Lewy body.  Amyloid beta can be elevated in both white matter and gr