Find a Top Physiatrist Near Me in New Brunswick, NJ – Book an Appointment Instantly

Marlyn Alvarado, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner at Union Spine and Pain Management. The practice has locations in Union, Scotch Plains, South Bound Brook, New Brunswick, Old Bridge, and Woodbridge, New Jersey. Proficient in English and Spanish, Marlyn brings a wealth of experience delivering comprehensive care to diverse populations of all ages.

Marlyn embarked on her nursing journey at New Jersey City University in Jersey City, where she earned her nursing degree. During this time, she served as a surgical nurse at Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, New Jersey, where she cared for patients undergoing chemotherapy, dialysis, and surgery.

Continuing her work at Jersey City Medical Center, Marlyn served in pivotal roles as a transition discharge nurse and maternal child health nurse. Here, she managed patients with high-risk pregnancies, substance use disorder, and teen pregnancy, demonstrating her versatility in addressing complex healthcare needs.

She also served as a case manager at United Healthcare in West New York, New Jersey, and later as a wellness coach/chronic condition manager at Premise Health. These roles further developed her understanding of holistic healthcare management and patient support.

Passionate about advancing her nursing practice, Marlyn pursued her Master of Science in nursing at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan. This led to her family nurse practitioner certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 

Marlyn holds additional certifications in neonatal resuscitation from the American Academy of Pediatrics and advanced cardiac life support from the American Heart Association.

In her role at Union Spine and Pain Management, Marlyn enjoys collaborating with the team, ensuring that she meets the diverse needs of her patients. 

Philip M. Rojo, MLP-NP, is a highly skilled nurse practitioner passionate about delivering customized care. Through his work at Union Spine and Pain Management, which has offices in Union, Scotch Plains, South Bound Brook, New Brunswick, Old Bridge, and Woodbridge, New Jersey, Philip helps patients feel more comfortable as they progress in treatment. 

A lifelong learner, Philip earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in New Brunswick. He remains at Rutgers to complete a Master of Science in nursing, focusing on adult and geriatric care. 

Philip is trained in basic life support and advanced cardiac life support. He is also certified as an adult/gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. 

Philip’s professional experience includes working in emergency room settings and managing patient care across various crisis and trauma needs. He also brings experience in managing patient care after surgical interventions, in addition to treating numerous acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders. 

Philip enjoys working one-on-one with those in his care, getting to know them and their unique health needs. He finds his work deeply rewarding, especially when patients overcome significant challenges in pain management. 

Frank Colarusso, DO, is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Mercer-Bucks Orthopaedics in Hamilton, Lawrenceville, and Princeton, New Jersey, and Langhorne, Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Colarusso maintains double-board certification, having recently recertified with both the American Medical Association, the American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and the American Osteopathic Association. With an attention to detail and passion for continuing education, Dr. Colarusso is proud to provide comprehensive non-operative musculoskeletal, spine, and sports medicine. 

He specializes in MSK neck and back pain, EMG services, acute and chronic pain syndromes with medication management, dry needling, Osteopathic Manual Manipulation treatments as well as ultrasound-guided injections, nerve blocks, and biologics.

After receiving honors at Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania, Dr. Colarusso remained in Pennsylvania to intern at St. Barnabas Health Care System. He later was the chief resident in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Boston University Medical Center in Massachusetts. 

Previously serving as one of three attending physicians at the 15th largest rehabilitation hospitals in the United States, Dr. Colarusso is proud to serve new and returning patients from the Mercer-Bucks Orthopaedics offices. 

Marlyn Alvarado, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner at Union Spine and Pain Management. The practice has locations in Union, Scotch Plains, South Bound Brook, New Brunswick, Old Bridge, and Woodbridge, New Jersey. Proficient in English and Spanish, Marlyn brings a wealth of experience delivering comprehensive care to diverse populations of all ages.

Marlyn embarked on her nursing journey at New Jersey City University in Jersey City, where she earned her nursing degree. During this time, she served as a surgical nurse at Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, New Jersey, where she cared for patients undergoing chemotherapy, dialysis, and surgery.

Continuing her work at Jersey City Medical Center, Marlyn served in pivotal roles as a transition discharge nurse and maternal child health nurse. Here, she managed patients with high-risk pregnancies, substance use disorder, and teen pregnancy, demonstrating her versatility in addressing complex healthcare needs.

She also served as a case manager at United Healthcare in West New York, New Jersey, and later as a wellness coach/chronic condition manager at Premise Health. These roles further developed her understanding of holistic healthcare management and patient support.

Passionate about advancing her nursing practice, Marlyn pursued her Master of Science in nursing at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan. This led to her family nurse practitioner certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 

Marlyn holds additional certifications in neonatal resuscitation from the American Academy of Pediatrics and advanced cardiac life support from the American Heart Association.

In her role at Union Spine and Pain Management, Marlyn enjoys collaborating with the team, ensuring that she meets the diverse needs of her patients. 

Philip M. Rojo, MLP-NP, is a highly skilled nurse practitioner passionate about delivering customized care. Through his work at Union Spine and Pain Management, which has offices in Union, Scotch Plains, South Bound Brook, New Brunswick, Old Bridge, and Woodbridge, New Jersey, Philip helps patients feel more comfortable as they progress in treatment. 

A lifelong learner, Philip earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in New Brunswick. He remains at Rutgers to complete a Master of Science in nursing, focusing on adult and geriatric care. 

Philip is trained in basic life support and advanced cardiac life support. He is also certified as an adult/gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. 

Philip’s professional experience includes working in emergency room settings and managing patient care across various crisis and trauma needs. He also brings experience in managing patient care after surgical interventions, in addition to treating numerous acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain disorders. 

Philip enjoys working one-on-one with those in his care, getting to know them and their unique health needs. He finds his work deeply rewarding, especially when patients overcome significant challenges in pain management. 

Joshua Macklin, MD, DABA, DABPM is an established physician at Union Spine and Pain Management with offices in Union, Scotch Plains, South Bound Brook, New Brunswick, Old Bridge, and Woodbridge, New Jersey. He specializes in interventional procedures for the relief of neck and back pain.

Dr. Macklin began his education at Binghamton University in New York, receiving his Bachelor of Arts in psychology. He discovered his passion for health care and pursued his medical degree at St George’s University School of Medicine in True Blue, Grenada. 

After achieving his medical degree, Dr. Macklin completed an internal medicine internship at Long Island College Hospital, followed by his anesthesiology residency at SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn. 

He was later recognized as an outstanding resident at Kings County Hospital and served as an attending anesthesiologist at Raritan Bay Medical Center for several years.

Dr. Macklin is a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine. He is a member of the Spine Intervention Society, the American Board of Anesthesiology, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and the New Jersey State Society of Anesthesiologists.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Macklin is known for his compassionate and patient-centered approach to health care. He enjoys connecting with patients and working alongside the team at Union Spine and Pain Management. 

Michael Wilcenski, MD, DABA, DABPM, is a distinguished physician anesthesiologist at Union Spine and Pain Management with offices in Union, Scotch Plains, South Bound Brook, New Brunswick, Old Bridge, and Woodbridge, New Jersey. With a passion for health care, Dr. Wilcenski has provided quality care to patients for over three decades.

Dr. Wilcenski received his bachelor’s degree at SUNY Health Science Center in Stonybrook, New York. He later pursued his medical degree at SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he completed his anesthesiology residency, becoming chief resident. 

In addition to his work with Union Spine and Pain Management, he is on staff at medical centers throughout New Jersey, such as the Middlesex Surgery Center, the Ambulatory Surgical Center of Union, the Millburn Surgery Center, and the Union Endocenter. He also served as the attending anesthesiologist at Elizabeth General Medical Center.

He is a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine. He is also a member of several organizations, including the International Spine Intervention Society, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, the American Board of Anesthesiologists, and the American Board of Pain Medicine. 

Dr. Wilcenski’s patients describe him as trustworthy and compassionate, with the ability to alleviate their discomfort and create a stable environment. His dedication, expertise, and compassion positively impact his patients and team at Union Spine and Pain Management. 

Edward Novik, MD, DABA, DABPM, is a board-certified pain medicine specialist at Union Spine and Pain Management with offices in Union, Scotch Plains, South Bound Brook, New Brunswick, Old Bridge, and Woodbridge, New Jersey. With over 34 years of experience in the medical field, he demonstrates extensive knowledge in anesthesiology, pain management, and internal medicine.

Before relocating to the United States, Dr. Novik earned his medical degree from Samarkand State Medical School in Uzbekistan. He later completed an internal medicine residency at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway and an anesthesiology residency at SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn, New York.

In addition to his work at Union Spine and Pain Management, Dr. Novik serves as a pain management specialist at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey, and Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth, New Jersey. 

He has served on staff at Middlesex Surgery Center, Millburn Surgery Center, and Union Endocenter in New Jersey. He also worked as an attending anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at Union Hospital in New Jersey.

Dr. Novik is fellowship-trained in interventional pain management and is a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology. He is also a member of the American Society of Anesthesiology, the New Jersey State Society of Anesthesiology, the International Spine Intervention Society, and the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.

Dr. Novik’s reputation extends beyond his professional accomplishments. Patients consistently commend him for his compassionate and empathetic approach, praising his ability to provide a positive experience for all individuals in his care. 

Dr. Wiederholz is a leading expert in the field of minimally invasive spine treatments in Houston. Trained directly under Dr. Kevin Pauza, the inventor of the Discseel® Procedure, Dr. Wiederholz has been performing this innovative treatment since 2020, making him the first physician in Houston to do so.

His direct training under Dr. Pauza has provided him with a deep understanding and mastery of the Discseel® Procedure, allowing him to offer his patients a safe and effective alternative to surgery for chronic back and neck pain.

As a trailblazer in his field, Dr. Wiederholz is dedicated to providing his patients with the highest standard of care. His expertise and commitment to patient wellbeing have established him as the trusted choice for those seeking to avoid surgery and improve their quality of life. Choose Dr. Wiederholz, the Houston Discseel® Expert, for a successful return to a pain-free life.

Dr. Matthias Wiederholz is also the founder and visionary behind Performance Pain & Sports Medicine, also known as Performance. Performance is a boutique medical practice with a focus on the treatment of acute and chronic pain. Dr. Wiederholz founded Performance in 2008 and officially opened for patient care in 2009. Dr. Wiederholz serves his patients in Houston, Texas; and Lawrenceville, New Jersey.

Dr. Wiederholz received his specialty training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas where he served as chief resident. He completed fellowship training in Interventional Pain Management and Sports Medicine in Marietta, Georgia. He holds four board certifications: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is his primary specialty. This field focuses on the treatment of the entire person with special attention to functional recovery. He also holds a board certification in Sports Medicine and he is a leader in this field offering minimally-invasive options for healing of sports injuries. He also has a board certification in Pain Medicine through the American Board of Pain Medicine. His expertise in this field spans both nationally and internationally where he has provided education for physician colleagues throughout the US and Europe. Finally, he is board certified in Anti-Aging, Regenerative & Functional Medicine and holds a Masters degree in Metabolic & Nutritional Medicine. Unlike other physicians that are dabbling in the field of Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Wiederholz is board-certified in it. He is a leader in the use of autologous, bone marrow derived stem cell procedures and platelet rich plasma procedures using targeted image guidance with both ultrasound and fluoroscopy.  

The field of Pain Medicine has advanced over the years and Dr. Wiederholz prides himself on keeping up with all the most innovative advancements within the field. He performs all the basic pain management procedures, such as epidural injections, facet joint injections, rhizotomies, sacroiliac joint injections. But he is a leader in the advanced treatments within the field as well. He was the first physician in the entire state of Texas to perform the Superion procedure, a minimally invasive implant procedure for the treatment of spinal stenosis. He also implants spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal pain pumps. He also has specialized training in endoscopic spine surgical procedures. 

Dr. Wiederholz is one of just a few physicians licensed and trained to perform the Discseel™ procedure. This amazing procedure often prevents spine surgery and treats the inflammation associated with leaky disc syndrome. Invented by Dr. Kevin Pauza, Dr. Wiederholz was trained on this advanced technique and offers this therapy in Texas, New Jersey and Pennsylvania!

In his personal time Dr. Wiederholz spends time with his wife and daughter and enjoys traveling, golf and yoga. Despite being a transplant from New Jersey, he truly enjoys making Texas-style barbeque in his kamado grill. He also enjoys baking fresh bread and making homemade pasta. 

Frank Colarusso, DO, is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Mercer-Bucks Orthopaedics in Hamilton, Lawrenceville, and Princeton, New Jersey, and Langhorne, Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Colarusso maintains double-board certification, having recently recertified with both the American Medical Association, the American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and the American Osteopathic Association. With an attention to detail and passion for continuing education, Dr. Colarusso is proud to provide comprehensive non-operative musculoskeletal, spine, and sports medicine. 

He specializes in MSK neck and back pain, EMG services, acute and chronic pain syndromes with medication management, dry needling, Osteopathic Manual Manipulation treatments as well as ultrasound-guided injections, nerve blocks, and biologics.

After receiving honors at Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania, Dr. Colarusso remained in Pennsylvania to intern at St. Barnabas Health Care System. He later was the chief resident in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Boston University Medical Center in Massachusetts. 

Previously serving as one of three attending physicians at the 15th largest rehabilitation hospitals in the United States, Dr. Colarusso is proud to serve new and returning patients from the Mercer-Bucks Orthopaedics offices. 

Professional Experience

Emergency Medicine
Karen launched her clinical career in the fast-paced Emergency Rooms of Christ Hospital and Hoboken University Medical Center, where she spent a decade refining her skills in acute and emergency care. This experience honed her ability to make critical, life-saving decisions and adapt swiftly to high-pressure situations.

Primary Care & Urgent Care
In 2020, Karen transitioned to urgent care settings in Central Jersey, broadening her expertise in Primary Care. This shift allowed her to cultivate meaningful patient relationships, manage chronic conditions, and address acute illnesses. Her adaptability and holistic approach became pivotal in delivering effective, compassionate care.

Specialization in Endocrinology
Currently, Karen’s focus is on Endocrinology, a field she finds deeply rewarding. She specializes in managing intricate conditions like diabetes, thyroid disorders, and metabolic challenges. Her patient-first approach ensures tailored, evidence-based solutions that empower individuals to achieve better health and well-being.

Commitment to Professional Growth
Karen actively engages in continuing education and professional development to remain at the forefront of advancements in medical science. She participates in seminars and workshops, ensuring her practice integrates the latest research and technologies.

Philosophy of Care

Karen’s approach to healthcare is rooted in empathy, respect, and collaboration. She believes that every patient deserves a customized care plan, clear communication, and a trusted partnership to navigate their health journey. Her philosophy combines medical expertise with genuine compassion to ensure positive outcomes.

Achievements

• Clinical Excellence: Recognized for her exceptional diagnostic skills and patient rapport in both emergency and primary care settings.
• Community Engagement: Participates in health awareness programs and local health fairs, promoting preventive care and wellness education.
• Mentorship: Serves as a mentor to aspiring healthcare professionals, sharing her insights and fostering a commitment to compassionate care.

Personal Life

Karen is a dedicated wife and mother of three young children who keep her energized and inspired. She is also the proud owner of a Yorkie who completes the family. In her downtime, she channels her creativity into crafting and baking and unwinds with her favorite Netflix series. She loves outdoor adventures with her family and is passionate about maintaining a balanced life, both personally and professionally.