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

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.

Gautam Kothari, DO, is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at Mercer-Bucks Orthopaedics, with offices in Hamilton, Lawrenceville, and Princeton, New Jersey, and Langhorne, Pennsylvania. 

Dr. Kothari grew up in northern New Jersey, where his family still resides. He was accepted into an accelerated seven-year medical program directly from high school. He completed his undergraduate studies in three years at the New York Institute of Technology and then went on for his medical schooling at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

He completed his residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, New York, where he served as chief resident in his final year. 

Dr. Kothari completed additional fellowship training in interventional spine care and sports medicine at Orthopaedic and Spine Specialists in York, Pennsylvania, under Michael Furman, MD, an international figure in the field. 

Before joining MBO, Dr. Kothari was a clinical instructor for the Department of PM&R at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition to his clinical duties, he was involved with training medical students and residents. Before his departure, Dr. Kothari was nominated for the title of associate clinical professor.

Dr. Kothari is a published author and has a variety of publications, including most recently a “Pocket Handbook of Spinal Injections,” which is used as a quick reference for doctors in training. 

He has a special interest in spinal disorders and musculoskeletal injuries and performs various fluoroscopically-guided procedures and ultrasound-guided procedures, including epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, joint injections, radiofrequency ablation and spinal cord stimulation. 

Dr. Kothari also performs regenerative medicine treatments such as platelet-rich plasma for acute or chronic tendon, joint, muscle, or spinal conditions.

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. 

Dr. Selorm Takyi joined Revive Spine and Pain Center in 2020. He completed his physiatry residency at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, offered through the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. With a passion for teaching, he served as an academic chief resident and graduated residency in 2019. He then completed his fellowship in regenerative orthopedics and musculoskeletal medicine.

Dr. Takyi practices compassionate medicine and was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society in 2014 while attending Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Specializing in both ultrasound-guided and fluoroscopic-guided techniques to treat pain and sports medicine injuries, he is excited to share his goal of using non-surgical procedures to help restore function and quality of life to his patients. With his training in physiatry, Dr. Takyi enjoys creating comprehensive treatment plans for his patients. In addition to offering interventional spine injections such as epidurals and nerve blocks, he performs platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) injections to help treat a variety of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. His clinical interests include regenerative medicine, rotator cuff tears, osteoarthritis, ACL injuries, and meniscus tears.

He has co-authored the physical modalities, therapeutic exercise, extended bedrest, and aging effects chapter in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Board Review 4th Edition and an upcoming publication, Atlas of Interventional Orthopedics Procedures chapter on autologous tissue harvesting techniques: bone marrow aspirate and adipose tissue. He is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Interventional Orthobiolgoics Foundation, Spine Intervention Society, and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. When not in the office, Dr. Takyi enjoys photography, exercising, and spending time with his family.

Mahmud Ibrahim, MD, at Revive Spine and Pain Center Marlton, Hamilton Township, East Brunswick and Northfield, New Jersey, holds dual board certification in sports medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation and is fellowship trained in interventional pain management.

When treating patients at Revive Spine and Pain Center, his goal is to restore function, reduce pain, and promote an active, healthy lifestyle using conservative measures whenever possible.

Though Dr. Ibrahim treats pain from any cause, his special clinical interests include musculoskeletal medicine, non-operative spine procedures, orthopedics, sports medicine, electrodiagnostic medicine, and restorative therapy.

In addition to performing the full range of fluoroscopic-guided interventional pain-management procedures, he also uses diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound. He has extensive skill in minimally invasive procedures such as discectomies and percutaneous tenotomies.

After graduating from the New York University Grossman School of Medicine in New York City, Dr. Ibrahim completed his residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai School (also in New York City). After receiving an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) fellowship, he stayed at Mount Sinai to subspecialize in sports and interventional spine medicine. 

Dr. Ibrahim has published several articles on musculoskeletal medicine. He’s also a contributing author in a textbook on how to perform ultrasound-guided injections and the author of a book exploring what causes pain, how to reduce it, and ways to live with persistent pain.

Dr. Ibrahim has provided sideline coverage at football games, captained the medical tents at the New York City marathon, and was a ringside physician for the Golden Gloves of America boxing tournament and professional wrestling. 

Michael Rizkalla, MD, a skilled physician with double-board certification in sports medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation, founded Revive Spine and Pain Center in 2017. At the practice’s offices in Marlton, Hamilton Township, East Brunswick and Northfield, New Jersey, he provides a patient-centered approach to treating acute and chronic pain.

He begins each appointment by listening to patients who all too often say that they’ve been everywhere and no one listens to or helps them. After hearing and understanding each person’s unique story and completing a physical exam, Dr. Rizkalla creates a tailored treatment plan using evidence-based treatments drawn from traditional medicine, interventional medicine, physical therapy, and complementary and restorative practices.

Dr. Rizkalla received his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Miramar, Florida, then finished an internship in internal medicine before completing a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Dr. Rizkalla has a subspecialty in sports medicine, has fellowship training in interventional pain management, and is certified in contemporary medical acupuncture. In addition to diagnosing and treating pain, his clinical interests include spine and joint care, sports medicine, electrodiagnostic and neuromuscular medicine, and nonsurgical orthopedics.

He has extensive training in performing numerous interventional pain procedures and restorative injections, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate cells. Dr. Rizkalla is also proficient in using musculoskeletal ultrasound to diagnose and treat injuries.

About Michael A. Romello, MD

Offering expert care to New Jersey residents, Michael A. Romello, MD, is committed to putting his patients first. Board-certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dr. Romello brings his expertise in non-operative musculoskeletal care and interventional pain management to the team at Orthocenter. 

Dr. Romello received his Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. While there, he was a 4-year starter and 2-year captain of the Ursinus baseball team and graduated Magna Cum laude. After completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Romello went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ/Rutgers) in Newark. Dr. Romello did his internship in Internal Medicine at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, followed by his Residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UMDNJ/Kessler institute for Rehabilitation.

Dr. Romello then went on to complete Fellowship training in Interventional Pain Management from Lags Spine and Sports Care in Santa Maria, California. While there, he received additional training in non-operative care of spine, musculoskeletal conditions, and sports related injuries. In addition to spinal procedures, Dr. Romello also gained further experience in electrodiagnostic testing (EMG) as well as musculoskeletal ultrasound guided procedures.

As a part of the Orthocenter team, Dr. Romello focuses on neck and back pain management. He provides comprehensive non operative care for his patients including spinal procedures under fluoroscopic guidance such as epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and joint injections. He performs dorsal column spinal cord stimulator trials and works closely with the orthopedic spine team for permanent placement of spinal cord stimulators. 

Dr. Romello is an active member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, (AAPM&R), the North American Spine Society (NASS), Spine Intervention Society (SIS) and the New Jersey Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He strives to provide quality care to maximize each person’s function and improve their quality of life.

With more than 20 years of experience, Grigory Kizelshteyn, MD, FIPP, offers the best in pain management to AABP Integrative Pain Care and Wellness patients in White Plains. 

With his two board certifications in anesthesiology and pain management, Dr. Kizelshteyn provides expert care for many chronic pain conditions, including back pain, leg pain, and arthritis.

Dr. Kizelshteyn uses many different pain management techniques to help his patient feel and move better, including ultrasound-guided interventional epidural injections and nerve blocks, ketamine infusions, medical marijuana, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). He uses a holistic, multimodal approach that also incorporates lifestyle changes such as altered focus meditation. 

Dr. Kizelshteyn earned his medical degree at New York Medical College (NYMC) in Valhalla, New York. He completed his residency anesthesiology training at Westchester Medical Center, also in Valhalla, New York, and completed his pain management fellowship at New York Medical College. 

He spent seven years as Director of the fellowship program at New York Medical College.

Since starting his first private practice in 1998, Dr. Kizelshteyn has helped many patients to overcome chronic pain, as well as publishing work in specialty medical journals. He also holds a patent for a unique surgical device to treat fibrotic lesions.

Dr. Kizelshteyn is among the “Top 100 Doctors of Westchester” and “America’s Top Doctors,” and he’s grateful that he gets to do what he loves — helping patients overcome chronic pain.

Dr. Alhov received his medical degree in Russia, after which completed his residency (Pain Management) in the United States, where he has now worked for over 13 years. Dr. Alhov was one of the first doctors to use ultrasound imaging when administering injections – a method that allows to alleviate pain most effectively. He was also on the team of doctors who developed a pain-relieving and healing ointment in conjunction with a pharmaceutical company.