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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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

Seth Scholl, DO, is a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Coastal Spine, with offices in Mount Laurel, Sewell, Galloway, Wall Township, and Vineland 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.

James Moran, DO, is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at Coastal Spine, with locations in Mount Laurel, Sewell, Galloway, and Wall Township, New Jersey. Dr. Moran specializes in the non-surgical treatment of adult spine disorders.

Emphasizing a non-invasive approach to the care of painful spinal disorders, he will formulate a comprehensive treatment plan to suit the needs of the individual patient utilizing a thorough history, physical exam and diagnostic studies. When indicated, Dr. Moran also has over twenty years of experience in interventional pain management techniques including diagnostic and therapeutic spinal injection procedures.

Dr. Moran earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware followed by a medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - School of Osteopathic Medicine, now part of Rowan University. He completed his residency training at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, and a fellowship in interventional spine techniques and pain management at MidAtlantic Spine in Wilmington, Delaware.

Dr. Moran has served as a course instructor in the spine curriculum for the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Delaware. He has repeatedly been named a “Top Doc” by his peers in magazine polls. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and a member of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.

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.

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.

Seth Scholl, DO, is a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Coastal Spine, with offices in Mount Laurel, Sewell, Galloway, Wall Township, and Vineland 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.

James Moran, DO, is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at Coastal Spine, with locations in Mount Laurel, Sewell, Galloway, and Wall Township, New Jersey. Dr. Moran specializes in the non-surgical treatment of adult spine disorders.

Emphasizing a non-invasive approach to the care of painful spinal disorders, he will formulate a comprehensive treatment plan to suit the needs of the individual patient utilizing a thorough history, physical exam and diagnostic studies. When indicated, Dr. Moran also has over twenty years of experience in interventional pain management techniques including diagnostic and therapeutic spinal injection procedures.

Dr. Moran earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware followed by a medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - School of Osteopathic Medicine, now part of Rowan University. He completed his residency training at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, and a fellowship in interventional spine techniques and pain management at MidAtlantic Spine in Wilmington, Delaware.

Dr. Moran has served as a course instructor in the spine curriculum for the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Delaware. He has repeatedly been named a “Top Doc” by his peers in magazine polls. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and a member of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.

Scott Jarmain, MD, is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at Coastal Spine, with locations in Mount Laurel, Sewell, Galloway, Wall Township, and Vineland New Jersey. With additional specialization in pain management, Dr. Jarmain focuses on Minimally invasive care of spine disorders. 

Prioritizing the care and longevity of his patients, Dr. Jarmain performs spinal injections for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes throughout the entire spine. Dr. Jarmain completed a residency at Temple University in Philadelphia, partnering with MossRehab Hospitals for study in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He followed this with a Musculoskeletal - Spine Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Dr. Jarmain provides medical care for a diverse group of patients, even working with professionals and collegiate athletes at Johns Hopkins University, Philadelphia University, and the USA Golden Gloves Boxing team. He has served as a staff physician at the Baltimore Marathon and several Special Olympics events. 

Dr. Jarmain is the co-author of many articles and chapters related to sports, spine, and pain management. He is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the North American Spine Society, the American Pain Society, and the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.

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.