MEMBERS OF THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY MS TEAM

Mark J. Tullman, M.D.,

is an Assistant Professor of Neurology and Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care Center and Research Center. After earning his medical degree from the University of Missouri, Dr. Tullman completed an internal medicine internship at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and then a neurology residency and multiple sclerosis fellowship at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He received a Sylvia Lawry Physician Fellowship award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and was selected as the Martin S. Davis Multiple Sclerosis Fellow by the New York City Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Dr. Tullman is a leading authority in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis. He specializes in all aspects of MS patient care, including treatment with the disease-modifying drugs and symptomatic therapies. He is also an expert in transverse myelitis, optic neuritis, neuromyelitis optica (Devic’s disease), and recognizing illnesses that are sometimes mistaken for MS. Dr. Tullman is a leading clinical researcher and currently investigating numerous new treatments to lessen disability and improve functioning and quality of life in individuals affected by MS. In addition to his membership in the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Neurology, Dr. Tullman is a member of the board of directors of MS Hope for a Cure and the editorial board of Continuum, the continuing medical education publication of the American Academy of Neurology.

Claire S. Riley, M.D.,

is a fellow in the Columbia University Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care and Research Center, supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Clinical Care Physicians Fellowship. Dr. Riley is an alumnus of Dartmouth College. She received her medical degree from Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons in 2004 where she received the Helen M. Sciarra Prize for outstanding achievement in neurology. Dr. Riley entered residency at the Columbia University Neurological Institute in 2005 after completing a medical internship at New York Presbyterian Hospital. She served as Chief Resident in neurology from 2007-2008 and began her fellowship in multiple sclerosis in July 2008.

Patricia Meade-D'Alisera, MSN, FNP, CURN,

is a nurse practitioner at the MS Center. She began her nursing career at the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Helen Hayes Hospital where she was active in clinical care and conducted clinical research trials. She was instrumental in founding the Incontinence Center at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Pat is the President of the Society of Urologic Nurses- Columbia University Chapter in New York City and is considered a leader in the field of bladder and bowel dysfunction. Her passion is to assist patients to have a better quality of life and help end the stigma of incontinence.

James Kirkland Roberts, M.D.,

is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology. He received his medical degree from Cornell University and completed internal medicine and neurology residencies at Columbia University. Dr. Roberts has a particular interest in dizziness, vertigo, and balance. He is involved in clinical research, including evaluating novel therapies in patients with multiple sclerosis. Dr. Roberts also has subspecialty training in vascular neurology.

Peter Kim, M.D.,

is an Associate Clinical Professor of Clinical Neurology. After earning his medical degree from the State University of New York at Syracuse, Dr. Kim completed an internal medicine internship at the University of Rochester and then a neurology residency and research fellowship at Columbia University. Dr. Kim's interests include clinical trials to evaluate new therapies for multiple sclerosis.

Alexander G. Khandji, M.D.,

is Clinical Professor of Radiology, Vice-Chair for Clinical Affairs in the department, and Associate Director of the Radiology Service at Columbia-Presbyterian. He was Chief Resident during his residency here and later completed training in Neuroradiology at the Neurological Institute. He is an expert in the MRI findings in MS and other diseases that are sometimes mistaken as MS.

Kevin Sperber, M.D.,

is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine and Assistant Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine in Anesthesiology. Dr. Sperber received his medical degree from SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn. He then completed a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital and a fellowship in pain management at Beth Israel Medical Center. Dr. Sperber specializes in both Rehabilitation Medicine and Pain Management and works with multiple sclerosis patients to improve their function, mobility, and quality of life.

Joel Stein, MD,

Dr. Joel Stein obtained his undergraduate degree from Columbia University, and his MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He then completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, followed by a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He was a faculty member at Harvard Medical School and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital until 2008, when he was appointed the Simon Baruch Professor and Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine at Columbia, and as Physiatrist-in-Chief at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Stein's primary area of clinical practice is neurological rehabilitation, and he has a particular interest in spasticity management. The spasticity management service, under Dr. Stein's direction, provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art treatment for spasticity affecting individuals with MS and other disorders, including botulinum toxin (Botox®) injections, phenol injections, and intrathecal baclofen pump placement and management.

Anis Dizdarevic, M.D.,

is an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management. He received his medical degree from Harvard University and then completed an anesthesiology residency and interventional pain management fellowship at Brigham and Women's Hospital. He is an expert in pain management and has a particular interest in intrathecal Baclofen pump therapy for muscle spasticity.

Kerry Raivel, PT, MS, MS EE, ATP,

is a graduate of both the Columbia University Master's of Physical Therapy Program and the Columbia University Master's of Science in Engineering Program. Kerry has over 9 years of experience as a therapist and is certified as an Assistive Technology Practitioner. He is the coordinator of the Seating and Mobility Program at Columbia University Medical Center, which evaluates patients who are in need of a variety of assistive devices to improve function and safety. He is an expert in helping patients maximize their level of functioning and improve their quality of life.

Joanne Festa, PhD.,

is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and an Attending Staff Physician in the Neurology Service at the New York Presbyterian Hospital. She is a researcher in the Cerebral Localization Laboratory and a neuropsychologist on various other programs funded by the National Institutes of Health. A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University's Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program, she completed her internship training and postdoctoral fellowship in neuropsychology at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her research has included studies on the neurocognitive and psychological aspects of medical disorders, as well as the development of neuropsychological testing measures.

Kimberly L. Cooper, M.D.,

is the Co- Director of Voiding Dysfunction, Neurourology and Urodynamics at Columbia University Medical Center- New York Presbyterian Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Urology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and her M.D. from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. After completing her urology residency at Columbia University Medical Center, Dr. Cooper completed a fellowship in female urology, voiding dysfunction, neurourology and urodynamics at Columbia. Her clinical and research interests are in male and female incontinence, vaginal prolapse, voiding dysfunction, neurology, and urodynamics.

Matthew Rutman, M.D.,

is the Co- Director of Voiding Dysfunction, Neurourology and Urodynamics at Columbia University Medical Center- New York Presbyterian Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Urology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. (http://www.columbiaurology.org/about/physicians/matthew-rutman.html). He graduated with honors from Emory University and Chicago Medical School. After completing his residency at William Beaumont Hospital, Dr. Rutman completed a fellowship in female urology, voiding dysfunction, neurourology and urodynamics at the UCLA Medical Center. His clinical and research interests include male and female incontinence, vaginal prolapse, and voiding dysfunction.

Susan Morer, LMSW, C-ASWCM

is the social worker and part of the multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals at the Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care Center. Susan obtained her Master of Science degree from Columbia University, School of Social Work. Previously Susan was the social worker at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Southern New York Chapter. Susan provides individual and family counseling, facilitates procurements of entitlement benefits, educates individuals with newly diagnosed and chronic MS, creates and provides information and referrals to community resources and programs, develops support programs for patients and their families and collaborates with clinical staff to review, discuss and coordinate patient care.

Nalini Sadhu

is the Administrative Assistant at the MS Center. Nalini is active in the development and management of the center. She assists patients with referrals and prior authorizations and coordinates appointments with other health care providers.

Yannett Franklin

is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the MS Center. She manages clinical trials testing novel therapies and treatment approaches in MS patients.