Dedicated to modern, innovative approaches to treating hand and wrist conditions, board-certified orthopedist Teddy Atik, MD, FAAOS, provides integrative care at Central Jersey Hand Surgery. Dr. Atik treats patients at the practice’s locations in Eatontown, and Toms River, New Jersey.

After earning his Doctor of Medicine from the prestigious New York University (NYU) School of Medicine in New York City, Dr. Atik went through extensive patient care training. He completed a comprehensive orthopedic surgery residency at the NYU Medical Center and Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City. 

Dr. Atik then finished a competitive fellowship program at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he gained extensive training in hand and microsurgery. He’s now board certified in orthopaedic surgery and surgery of the hand by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He’s also a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 

Additionally, Dr. Atik maintains professional memberships with the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the American Medical Association, the New York Society for Surgery of the Hand, and the Eastern Orthopaedic Association, among others. 

Because of Dr. Atik’s dedication to research-driven treatments and continuing education, he earned multiple recognitions as one of the “Top Doctors” in New Jersey Monthly and the prestigious Castle Connolly “Top Doctors” award.

Dr. Atik is one of the pioneers of Xiaflex and Needle Aponeurotomy for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture in the U.S. since 2008 having traveled to France and learned the procedure first hand from the doctor that invented it. He is a co-designer of a safe and effective device for the treatment of Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel and Cubital Tunnel Release being used by hundreds of surgeons around the United States.

Dr. Atik currently accepts new patients and welcomes them to the practice. 

As a native of Monmouth County, Jeremy Ruskin, MD, is excited to provide care of the* shoulder, *elbow, wrist, and hand to his patients at Central Jersey Hand Surgery. Dr. Ruskin treats patients in the practice’s offices in Eatontown, Freehold, and Toms River.

Dr. Ruskin earned his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. From there, he attended Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School and earned his Doctorate of Medicine. He remained at Rutgers where he completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. Finally, Dr. Ruskin completed a fellowship in hand, upper extremity, and microvascular surgery.

As a part of his practice, Dr. Ruskin takes care of injuries throughout the entire upper extremity, from the shoulder down to the fingers. He has a special interest in shoulder replacements, shoulder arthroscopy, traumatic injuries of the elbow, fracture care, the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries, surgical and non-surgical treatment of arthritis, and sports injuries. His aim is to take care of all of your upper extremity needs, both surgically and non-surgically.

Dr. Ruskin is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and is a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and dog, cooking and eating, and riding his Peloton bike.

As a renowned expert in complex hand and wrist conditions, board-certified orthopedist Gary Pess, MD, FACS, FAAOS, brings a wealth of knowledge to Central Jersey Hand Surgery. He cares for patients at the state-of-the-art practice locations in Eatontown, and Toms River, New Jersey. 

Dr. Pess earned his Doctor of Medicine from the State University of New York Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn. After graduating, Dr. Pess completed a comprehensive orthopedic surgery residency at the New York University Langone Health Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City. 

To further his expertise, Dr. Pess went through an in-depth fellowship in hand surgery, upper extremity surgery and microsurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Dr. Pess is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in orthopaedic surgery and surgery of the hand. He was also trained in Needle Aponeurotomy in Paris, France.

Throughout his career, Dr. Pess has furthered his education and maintained professional affiliations to ensure he stays up to date with the latest advancements in medicine. He holds a certificate of added qualifications in hand surgery, in addition to memberships with the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the American Association for Hand Surgery and the American Medical Association, among others. He’s also a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons.  

He is the co-inventor of a knife used for minimally invasive trigger finger release and a world-wide expert in Needle Aponeurotomy and Xiaflex for Dupuytren’s contracture.

Because of Dr. Pess’ dedication to high-quality patient care and continuing education, he’s the recipient of numerous awards. Dr. Pess was listed as one of the prestigious Castle Connely “Top Doctors,” in addition to multiple recognitions as one of the “Top Doctors” in New Jersey Monthly. 

Dr. Pess currently accepts new patients and welcomes them to the practice. 

With his dedication to advancements in non-operative alternative treatments and surgical procedures, Board-certified Hand Surgeon, Gregory G. Fedorcik, MD, FACS, is a trusted expert for patients suffering from hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow ailments. He treats patients at Central Jersey Hand Surgery, with office locations in Eatontown, and Toms River, New Jersey.

Dr. Fedorcik earned his Bachelor of Science from Hamilton College, Medical Degree from SGUSOM, and then completed his five year Surgery Residency at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ in 2005.  

Following residency Dr. Fedorcik trained at Duke University Medical Center’s highly competitive Hand, Upper Extremity and Microvascular Fellowship program in Durham, North Carolina.  During his fellowship he gained extensive experience learning and working with world leaders in hand and upper extremity surgery. 

Continuing his education and providing evidence based treatment is important to Dr. Fedorcik. He’s a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a Founder’s Member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, a member of the American Association for Surgery of the Hand, the Duke Hand Society, the Piedmont Orthopedic Society, and the New York Society for Surgery of the Hand, among others.  

Dr. Fedorcik has particular interest and expertise in minimally invasive treatment of distal radius fractures, wrist arthroscopy for sports related ligament injuries, carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndromes, and remains current with the most advanced treatment options for hand and wrist arthritis, Dupuytren’s disease, and peripheral nerve repair and reconstruction.  

Dr. Fedorcik continues to be recognized annually as one of the prestigious Castle Connely “Top Doctors,” and is highlighted as a “Top Doctor” in Inside Jersey magazine.  

Dr. Fedorcik currently accepts new patients and welcomes them to the practice. 

Bhavi Patel, DO, is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at Coastal Spine, with offices in Mount Laurel, Sewell, Galloway, Wall Township, Vineland, and West Orange, New Jersey. She is fellowship trained in spine and musculoskeletal medicine and injections. 

Dr. Patel specializes in Minimally invasive treatments of the neck and spine, along with treatments for musculoskeletal and sports injuries. She performs therapeutic and diagnostic spinal injections using fluoroscopy and peripheral injections using ultrasound. 

Dr. Patel attended the New York Institute of Technology and the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine’s accelerated Bachelor of Science/Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine program. After completing her internship, she attended her residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, where she served as chief resident. 

Upon completing her residency, Dr. Patel entered fellowship training at the Center for Advanced Pain Management and Rehabilitation in New Jersey. Dr. Patel has provided medical care and support for athletes, including the NCAA at Maritime College Football Team, the Brooklyn Public School Athletic League Football Team, the USA Golden Gloves Boxers, and New York Marathon runners.

Dr. Patel is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the New Jersey Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the New York Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the North American Spine Society, and the American Osteopathic Association.

Seth Scholl, DO, is a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Coastal Spine, with offices in Mount Laurel, Sewell, Galloway, Wall Township, Vineland, and West Orange, New Jersey. He deals solely with the minimally invasive treatment of neck and back pain. 

An expert in prescribing physical therapy and diagnosing musculoskeletal injuries, Dr. Scholl carefully compares your medical history, physical exam, and radiological studies to determine a diagnosis. Your treatment plan will then be laid out to you in great detail and be vetted in an attempt to avoid surgery. 

Dr. Scholl studied at Binghamton University in New York and earned his medical degree at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glen Head, New York. He then completed his internship at Long Beach Medical Center in New York, followed by his residency at Temple University - MossRehab Hospitals in physical medicine and rehabilitation. 

At Coastal Spine, Dr. Scholl is the director of electrodiagnostics, in which he performs all the “pain-less” EMGs and supervises intraoperative monitoring for those having spine surgery.

He maintains his affiliation with Temple University as an associate professor and is a fellow of the American Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Kam Momi, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Coastal Spine, with offices in Mount Laurel, Sewell, Galloway, Wall Township, Vineland, and West Orange, New Jersey. His focus is exclusively on the neck and spine. 

After earning his bachelor’s at Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Momi completed his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. His post-graduate internship brought him to Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, followed by a residency in orthopedics at New Jersey Medical School, now operated by Rutgers University. Finally, he completed a fellowship in spine surgery at the prestigious New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Dr. Momi is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the North American Spine Society. He has lectured on spine and neck surgery at various international meetings, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School (now Rutgers), the New Jersey State Orthopaedic Association’s Annual Meeting, and the New Jersey Orthopaedic Hospital.

Dr. Momi headed the spine section at Virtua Hospital, part of Virtua Health, from 2011 to 2016. He is currently the chief of the Section of Spine Surgery for Jefferson South Jersey Hospitals.

Mark Testaiuti, MD, is a board-certified neurosurgeon at Coastal Spine, with locations in Mount Laurel, Sewell, Galloway, Wall Township, Vineland, and West Orange, New Jersey. Dr. Testaiuti specializes exclusively in spine care and complex spinal surgery. 

Dr. Testaiuti earned his medical degree at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After graduating, he completed his residency in neurological surgery at the Albert Einstein Medical College - Montefiore Medical Center in The Bronx, New York City, where he was chief resident. Following this In-Residency Fellowship, Dr. Testaiuti joined the Cooper Health System’s Neurosurgery division at Robert Wood University Hospital, now operated by Rutgers Health,  and became an assistant professor of Neurosurgery. He earned Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery and remained such until entering private practice in 2002. Dr. Testaiuti co-founded the Cooper Shriner Spine Fellowship Program and trained orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons in spine surgery.

Dr. Testaiuti has been on staff at Virtua Health since 1998, where he partnered to develop Virtua Marlton’s spine program. This work resulted in Virtua becoming one of only a few hospitals nationally to receive the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) certification in spine care. 

A member of the American Medical Association, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and the North American Spine Society, Dr. Testaiuti has repeatedly been listed in the yearly “Top Doc” magazine polls. He is lauded as one of America’s top surgeons through the Consumers Research Council of America survey and the Center for the Study of Services - Consumers Check Book.

Larry Deutsch, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Coastal Spine, with offices in Mount Laurel, Sewell, Galloway, Wall Township, Vineland, and West Orange, New Jersey. He is fellowship trained and specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery.

Dr. Deutsch has specialized in spine surgery for more than 25 years. After attending the University of New York at Albany, he earned his medical degree from Upstate Medical School in Syracuse, New York. He remained in New York for his residency and fellowship, training at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and New York Orthopedic Hospital. 

As the European Consultant for Pediatric and Orthopedic Spine Surgery at Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center in Germany, Dr. Deutsch went on special assignments in Moscow, Russia, and Iraq. This service earned him several medals and two bronze campaign stars. He also served as head of the Interdisciplinary Spine Service at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, for 10 years.

Adding to his experience, Dr. Deutsch was an adjunct instructor of orthopedic surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Jefferson Medical College, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He co-founded the Cooper Shriner Spine Fellowship Program and trained orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons in spine surgery.  

Dr. Deutsch has been on the cutting edge of innovative procedures, which he taught in local and national settings. He looks forward to welcoming new and returning patients to the practice.

Bernadette Livewell is a certified Physician Assistant who joined Coastal Spine in 2012. She graduated from Ursinus College with degrees in both Biology and Spanish. She then attended Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine where she earned her Physician Assistant Master’s Degree in 2011. She is a member of The American Academy of Physician Assistants and the North American Spine Society.

Steve Paragioudakis, MD, is an experienced orthopedic spine surgeon at the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine, with locations in Shrewsbury, Toms River, and Edison, New Jersey.

Dr. Paragioudakis received his Bachelor of Arts from Johns Hopkins University and his medical degree from the Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS), formerly the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Paragioudakis completed his internship and residency program at the RBHS in the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Department of Orthopaedics.

Dr. Paragioudakis has received recognition for his research throughout his career, and his clinical science paper received the International Volvo Award for Low Back Pain Research in 2000. He is a member of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, as well as the National Board of Medical Examiners.

In addition to serving patients at the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine, Dr. Paragioudakis provides care at Orthopaedic Spine Specialists of NJ.

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Courtney Ellenberger, NP-C, MSN, RN, RNFA is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurse First Assist. She completed her undergraduate nursing education at Seton Hall University and continued on to earn her Masters Degree in Nursing at Monmouth University. She began her nursing career as a Registered Nurse in the Operating Room at Monmouth Medical Center where she did a majority of her work in Orthopedic Surgery.

Marc Menkowitz, MD, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopaedic spine surgeon who specializes in the operative and nonoperative treatment of adult and pediatric spinal disorders. He provides care to patients at the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine in Shrewsbury, Toms River, and Edison, New Jersey.

Dr. Menkowitz started his education at The Hill School, a prestigious secondary boarding school in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and earned his medical degree from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, also in Philadelphia. He completed his orthopaedic surgery training at the Monmouth Medical Center, one of the oldest programs in New Jersey. Afterward, Dr. Menkowitz completed his spine surgery fellowship at The New York Spine Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. 

Upon completing his fellowship, he moved back to Monmouth County, New Jersey, and together with another fellowship-trained spine surgeon, they established the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine. Concurrently, he was appointed to the academic committee of the Monmouth Orthopaedic Surgery program. He is also an assistant professor at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Dr. Menkowitz has co-authored several articles pertaining to spinal surgery, which have been presented at international meetings. His areas of expertise include the operative and nonoperative treatment of adult and pediatric spinal deformity, disc herniations, degenerative conditions of the spine, tumors, and sports-related injuries.

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