HUDSON SPINE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Physical Therapist
Alexa Davila grew up in Pittsburgh, PA where she discovered a love for movement and music at an early age. As an active kid who tried just about every sport/activity imaginable she grew a deep appreciation for the technical and in-depth movements behind the athletic body. This brought her to The Pennsylvania State University where she studied Biology & Behavioral Health. Eventually, she would go on to further her studies at The California University of PA to ultimately obtain a career in Physical Therapy, as a PTA. Across PA, NJ, and NY she has worked in a variety of outpatient settings and has previously treated performers and dancers.
Understanding the body and the way it moves has always been of interest and importance to Lex. When she moved to NYC in 2017 she was in search of community and found Group Fitness. She has taught group fitness classes at various studios throughout NYC and trains both privately and at corporate events. Her workouts are fun, upbeat, challenging, and effective. She tailors her classes to her specific clients to create a unique approach to fitness. She continues to practice Physical Therapy and specializes in Sculpt, Strength, Mobility, and HIIT group classes, as well as private training.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Education Committee
- Acupuncturist
Alexandra Ruiz, L.Ac. received a Master of Science degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in NYC. She is nationally board certified by the NCCAOM in Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. During her clinical training, she interned at NYU Langone Medical Center at the Initiative for Women with Disabilities, and at Beth Israel Comprehensive Cancer Center in their integrative medical program.
Prior to studying Chinese Medicine, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Connecticut. Her interest in the human body and perspective on health expanded with the study of Chinese Medicine and the Eastern philosophy behind it, which looks to bring body and mind to a state of natural balance. She believes in integrating biomedical knowledge with ancient wisdom to achieve a healthy life.
She is passionate about helping others become aware of how their bodies speak to them, to help them take charge of their health so that they can enjoy active and healthy lives. She looks to build a strong relationship with her patients so that they feel supported during the times they need it most.
She treats a wide variety of conditions and has a special interest in musculoskeletal disorders, pain management, fertility support, women's health, headaches and stress reduction. She is committed to providing individualized and effective healthcare.
Amanda K. Reilly helps her clients access and utilize the hypnotic state of consciousness to integrate thoughts and behaviors that support them long-term. For the past decade, Amanda has studied awareness and holistic approaches for optimizing mindset & wellbeing. Graduating cum laude with a degree in Holistic Psychology from Lesley University, and receiving the honor of both Clinical and Directors Awards upon graduating from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in Los Angeles, she is devoted to supporting her clients' journeys into self-exploration for the purpose of creating palpable life improvement.
Job Titles:
- Certified Physician Assistant
- Physician Assistant / Pain Management
Andrew Chan is a certified Physician Assistant who recently graduated from Rush University. Originally from Chicago, Andrew moved to New York to join the Hudson Medical Team. While in school he developed an interest in physical medicine and rehabilitation and spent 6 months in specialized rotations focusing on pain management, sports medicine, and rehabilitation. He believes that true healing of pain comes through a thoughtful collaboration between the services provided by Hudson Medical and Hudson Wellness.
Job Titles:
- Certified Physician Assistant
- Physician Assistant / Pain Management
Angeline Tang is a certified Physician Assistant who graduated from Pace University- Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Angeline is originally from San Francisco, California, she completed her undergraduate degree at Saint Mary's College of California.
She has experience in multiple different specialties such as Primary Care and Gynecology. She loves practicing medicine because it is always evolving and changing which constantly challenges her to continue to learn and build her knowledge and skills. On her downtime, Angeline likes to go hiking, explore new areas of the city, and go on long runs through Central Park.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Education Committee
- Acupuncturist
Bruce Haymann, LAc is a NYS-licensed Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Practitioner. He graduated from the Tri-State College of Acupuncture with a Master's in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Bruce is skilled in trigger point acupuncture, which, similar to deep tissue massages, helps in releasing tight muscles. He also specializes in sports medicine acupuncture, which benefits patients suffering from sports injuries, and in neurofunctional acupuncture, which uses electro-acupuncture to stimulate different muscle groups and the central nervous system. His techniques help reduce inflammation and muscle pain in patients so that they can return to their normal activities.
Dr. Biernacki's interest in psychiatry first stemmed from her desire to truly understand and connect with patients to help them attain broader well-being than simply being physically disease-free. This principle naturally extended into her psychiatry practice as she focuses on helping patients thrive in all areas of life. She guides patients in discovering their own definition of psychological well-being, establishing personalized goals, and finding ways to attain them. The process is a collaborative effort and takes a person's unique struggles and strengths into account, which involves talk therapy, evidence-based wellness interventions as well as medication.
Dr. Biernacki's breadth of experience includes working with disadvantaged populations, developing and running a child and adolescent community psychiatry department, spearheading interventions to integrate mental and physical healthcare, and consulting for IMG Models on their mental health awareness initiatives. She also participated in academic research, has extensive teaching experience, has lectured in both academic and non-academic settings, and has been published in the area of child and adolescent psychiatry.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Education Committee
- Physical Therapist
- Certified Running Gait Analyst
Diana Chen, PT, DPT is a NYS-licensed Doctor of Physical Therapist. Diana graduated with her Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Long Island University. Diana enjoys incorporating yoga and Pilates principles into individualized exercise programs to treat varying musculoskeletal/ sports-related injuries, post-operative, and spinal conditions. She uses her training in Balanced Body Pilates Reformer, Chair, and Cadillac to improve muscular strength, flexibility, deep core activation, and postural awareness to facilitate efficient movement patterns in everyday life.
As a Certified Running Gait Analyst, Diana creates individualized treatment programs to help improve the runner's performance, efficiency and readiness to meet their goals. She also employs various evidence-based techniques including Maitland Spinal & Joint mobilization techniques, KinesioTape, and Mckenzie Diagnosis and Therapy to reduce pain, restore mobility and mechanical function.
Job Titles:
- Fellow
- Doctor of Physical Medicine
Dr. Andrew Phillips is a doctor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and joined Hudson Medical as an Interventional Pain Fellow. His Bachelors of Sciences in Biology was earned at the University of Texas, and he completed his medical degree at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and his Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) residency at UCLA in Los Angeles, CA.
Dr. Craig Antell DO has been a board-certified specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for the past 20 plus years. He underwent his medical training at NYU Medical center and completed his residency at RUSK Institute of Rehabilitation in 1999.
He spent the first 15 years in private practice and the last 5 years serving as Medical Director of Ambulatory Orthopedic Rehabilitation at NYU Langone. With an emphasis on the spine and sports-related injuries, and treating the objective problem at hand as opposed to managing the symptoms, Dr. Antell has had a successful career as one of the Top Doctors in NY over the past few years.
He is re-entering private practice at this time to better serve his patient base and be able to provide the time and attention his patients require. Dr. Antell is one of the leading Cannabis physicians in the country and will be focused on continuing to develop his proprietary systems for pain management and opioid weaning. Dr. Antell brings his two decades of clinical experience to Hudson Medical and is excited to be working with like-minded professionals who share his philosophy with regards to excellent patient care leading to superior outcomes. Dr. Antell's practice will continue to focus on spine issues and sports-related injuries while continuing to grow his Medical cannabis practice.
Job Titles:
- Interventional Pain Physician
Dr. David Cassagnol graduated with a doctor of medicine degree from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, NY. He then completed a residency in anesthesiology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital - Columbia University Medical Center. He subsequently decided to specialize in Interventional Pain Medicine at The University of Chicago Medical Center where he trained in advanced, minimally invasive procedures.
Dr. Cassagnol is excited to return to New York City to join Hudson Medical.
Job Titles:
- Certified Anesthesiologist
- Pain Management Specialist
- Specialist
Dr. Jacob LaSalle is a Double Board-Certified Anesthesiologist and Pain Medicine specialist. Dr. LaSalle specializes in the latest state-of-the-art minimally invasive interventional treatments for the management of musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain conditions. He recognizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to healing and recovery and often incorporates physical therapy, medication management, and complementary and alternative therapies into his management plans.
Dr. LaSalle is an avid athlete and enjoys reading and weekends at the beach.
I'm fortunate to have found Dr. LaSalle, by far the most responsive caregiver I've ever had. He's extremely compassionate, knowledgeable, and attentive with an awesome bedside manner. He was able to quickly diagnose and treat me accordingly. As a patient, I know I will be treated respectfully by him and his entire staff. I consider them to be valuable assets to my wellness.
Job Titles:
- Internist, Sports Medicine Specialist
Dr. Patrick Jean-Pierre, MD is Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Sports Medicine and is also a Diplomat in Integrative / Regenerative Medicine by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. He completed his fellowship in Primary Care Sports Medicine and focuses on providing patients with integrated treatment and prevention plans tailored to each individual.
Dr. Jean-Pierre is fellowship-trained in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. He treats patients of all activity levels; he is a former assistant team physician for high school and Division I college athletes. He worked closely in his fellowship under the physicians responsible for the medical care of the NFL's Detroit Lions and MLB's Detroit Tigers. Using a multidisciplinary approach, he will provide a comprehensive non-operative plan for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. Dr. Jean-Pierre has a special interest in the prevention of chronic injuries, exercise programs, and concussion management.
Job Titles:
- Anesthesiologist & Pain Management Specialist
Dr. Stephanie Shen, MD is a Board Certified Anesthesiologist and pain management specialist with a focus on acute and chronic pain conditions. Before joining Hudson Medical, Dr. Shen completed an accelerated medical program at New York University School of Medicine (2016) and her Anesthesiology Residency at th e Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education (2020). Dr. Shen also completed her Pain Fellowship at Mount Sinai School of Medicine (2021)
Dr. Shen was born in Ohio and grew up in New York City. She spent summers as a child in Taipei, Taiwan, and she speaks English and is conversational in Mandarin. Though she has always aimed to pursue a career in medicine, she is also very passionate about refugee work and making meaningful connections with individuals from all walks of life.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Education Committee
Job Titles:
- Certified Physician Assistant
- Physician Assistant / Pain Management
Jenny Tang is a certified Physician Assistant who is originally from San Jose, CA. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Public Health from University of California, Berkeley, and recently earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Pace University - Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC.
She received clinical training in a variety of specialties, including orthopedic surgery and dermatology.
Jonathann Kuo, MD is a Board Certified Pain Medicine specialist and Anesthesiologist. He is the founder of Hudson Medical + Wellness, an innovative and cutting edge healthcare system that combines Medical, Wellness, and Mental Health treatments. By combining Eastern and Western approaches, Traditional and Holistic practices, with the latest advancements in technology and bioscience, he is dedicated to creating a system where patients can receive the best in integrated care that looks at the person in totality.
Dr. Kuo has over a dozen years of experience in the Interventional Orthopedics, Regenerative Medicine, and Interventional Mental Health specialties. He possesses a constant drive for innovation and excellence with intellectual and academic curiosity in a field that is rapidly advancing with new technologies and techniques.
On the Regenerative Medicine front, Dr Kuo has been active in clinical research in evaluating the newest biologics and their applications in degenerative spinal and joint and systemic inflammatory conditions. The usage of stem cells, umbilical cord tissue, and exosomes hold significant promises for the future of medicine. Dr Kuo has traveled extensively to the leading laboratories around the world and holds frequent discussions with thought leaders in this space. Hudson Medical is the first practice in the US to publish safety data on the use of Exosomes in spinal applications, and will continue to lead research in this field.
On the Interventional Mental Health front, Dr Kuo has been putting together comprehensive programs at the forefront of this new specialty. The three pillars of this program include Stellate Ganglion Blocks for PTSD and anxiety, Ketamine Infusions for chronic pain and depression, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for depression. As a proud partner of The Stella Center, Dr Kuo has extensive experience with these modalities. Hudson is also a research center for upcoming studies with Psilocybin and MDMA.
In his spare time, Dr Kuo is an accomplished artist who has exhibited at several galleries (many of his works can be seen in the office). He also enjoys biohacking, cycling, travel gastronomy, and spending time with his growing family.
Job Titles:
- Certified Physician Assistant
- Physician Assistant / Pain Management
Lauren Roop is a certified Physician Assistant with over 5 years of experience in orthopedic and pain management medicine. She is involved in all aspects of patient care including a detailed history and physical examinations, developing treatment plans, prescribing medications, and ordering and interpreting laboratory tests and diagnostic studies. She also provides assistance with in-office and surgical center-based procedures. Lauren's attention to detail and passion for providing quality patient care makes her an integral member of Hudson Medical.
Lauren grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia. She moved to NY for school. In her free time, Lauren is an avid reader and can typically finish a book in 2 days. When she was growing up her dream job was to be a librarian or a Rockette!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Education Committee
- Physical Therapist
Luis Garcia, DPT is a Long Island native who earned his bachelor's degree in toxicology at St. John's University. He went on to earn his doctorate degree in physical therapy at the University of St. Augustine in Florida. At St. Augustine, Luis was trained in a hands-on approach to physical therapy with a strong focus on treatment and manual therapy of the spine.
Luis is experienced in treating post-surgical patients including ACL, shoulder, hip, and spine. He believes in applying a holistic approach to rehabilitation in order to get his patients back to a pain-free lifestyle and return to doing what they love.
Dr. Mallik holds her Doctor of Chiropractic from the National University of Health Sciences in Chicago, Illinois with further training in Active Release Technique, Neurokinetic Therapy, McKenzie Method, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, and RockTape Performance Movement. She finds that the greatest relief and results stem from a full-body approach that incorporates both functional intervention and mechanical rehabilitation.
Nancy Wan, DC, MS is a licensed chiropractor. She earned her Doctorate in Chiropractic at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and has a strong interest in utilizing a functional approach to treatments. Nancy believes in providing a comprehensive program for patients to restore normal function and prevent future injury or occurrence. Nancy has taken certification courses in Kinesio Taping, Graston technique (instrument assisted soft tissue therapy), and ART (Active Release Techniques). In addition to treatment of musculoskeletal conditions and spine-related conditions, Nancy utilizes extremity adjusting techniques to restore motion to joints outside the spine. Growing up as an athlete in several sports, Nancy takes interest in treating athletes so that they can return to sports and improve their athletic performance.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Physical Therapist
Nathan Duke, CKTP, FMT is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant and a Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner. A native of West Virginia, he received his Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Physiology with an emphasis in Aquatic Therapy from West Virginia University. After completing his PTA studies at Allegheny College of Maryland, he and his wife moved to New York City where he worked for two other outpatient orthopedic clinics before joining the team at Hudson Wellness. He focuses on providing each patient with excellent bedside manner and individualized instruction in order to help patients get back to their normal daily activities.
Nathan is a consciencitous and highly skilled physical therapist with a most pleasant and enjoyable deameanor. Nathan has greatly assisted with the improvement of my neck/shoulder challenges.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Education Committee
- Nutritionist / Functional Medicine
Preeti Pusalkar, CNS is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist. She has extensive training in not only nutrition but also in functional medicine. With her Master's Degree in Clinical Nutrition and over twelve years of in-clinic experience, Preeti has in-depth knowledge treating a variety of nutrition cases, from post-illness recovery to weight loss. Her dietary recommendations focus on nutrient-dense and pro-metabolic foods, medicinal superfoods, and dietary supplementation. Preeti uses an integrative approach to develop a personalized plan tailored to each patient's unique physiology.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Education Committee
- Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapist / Sean Joyce PT
, DPT is a NYS-licensed Physical Therapist. After growing up in the Colorado outdoors, Sean moved to Louisville, Kentucky to begin his studies and play Division 1 lacrosse at Bellarmine University. There he completed his Bachelors degree in Exercise Science and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
Sean has worked as a Physical Therapist in various states throughout the US as well as in Italy. He has spent his most recent years treating actors, dancers, and stagehands in the theater district of New York City. He believes in using a movement based full-body approach to achieve lasting improvements and keep his patients chasing after their dreams.
Sean loves to stay active by getting outdoors, traveling, and is an avid golfer. He is Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) certified and is passionate about helping golfers stay healthy and performing at their best.
Job Titles:
- Board - Certified Neurologist
- Neurologist
Dr. Pitts is a Board-Certified Neurologist with fellowship subspecialty training in Clinical Neurophysiology from Columbia University Medical Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He also has earned a Certificate of Added Qualification in Headache Medicine from the National Headache Foundation.
Dr. Pitts treats the entire spectrum of neurologic illness and has a personal interest in neuromuscular disorders, especially, Myasthenia Gravis. He provides customized therapeutic approaches to meet the needs of each of his patients and is expert in the medical and interventional management of all headache syndromes. As a clinical neurologist, Dr. Pitts is also able to perform and interpret specialized procedures and tests to accurately diagnose and manage diseases across the entire nervous system. Dr. Pitts is able to provide care in English, Spanish and Italian, and offers the most up-to-date, customized, and multidisciplinary approach to address patients' specific neurological problems.