Our Doctors

Dr. Donald Liss was initially attracted to the entire spectrum of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, to the notion of helping patients in physical distress to regain function and quality of life. However, in the process of co-founding the PM&R Center in 1986, Dr. Donald Liss sharpened the focus of his practice upon helping to develop a multidisciplinary outpatient treatment center for the management of pain and disability. Having been a resident in Rehabilitation Medicine at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Donald greatly benefited from a broad spectrum of clinical and academic opportunities to hone his skills in diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

While attending The Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Pavell became interested in the relationship between the central nervous system and the musculoskeletal system. His research at Hopkins connected him with an osteopathic physician who specialized in treating sports injuries with hands on manual techniques. Dr. Pavell’s enthusiasm for weight lifting and football left him ample opportunity to be treated for injuries by his mentor. He was quickly convinced, and decided to attend Osteopathic Medical School where he could combine the medical school curriculum with an education in these manual skills.

Dr. Tasca obtained a bachelor's degree in biophysics from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and from there went to Temple University School of Medicine in his hometown of Philadelphia. He completed a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Temple as well. After residency, Dr. Tasca underwent specialized training at the University of Pennsylvania, focused on diagnosis and minimally invasive interventional treatment of disorders of the spine.

Dr. Kara Suche earned her Medical Degree at Drexel University College of Medicine. She subsequently completed her Internship at Hahnemann University Hospital and PMR Residency at Temple University and Moss Rehab Hospital in Philadelphia.

Dr. Adeel Ahmad is originally from Michigan. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan. Thereafter he received his medical degree from the Wayne State University School of Medicine. He completed his Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at NYU Langone Medical Center Rusk Institute where he was a unit chief for the Medically Complex and Musculoskeletal Units. He then completed a fellowship in Spine Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Rebecca Brown received her Medical degree from SUNY Downstate Campus in Brooklyn, and completed her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

Dr. Brown works in our practice at the Riverdale, Fort lee, and west New York offices while also providing rehabilitation care in the Jewish Home Lifecare's Manhattan Campus. Dr. Brown has an interest in the full scope of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation services including outpatient musculoskeletal care, electrodiagnosis, prolotherapy and inpatient rehabilitation..

Dr. Montag received his bachelor's degree in biology from Yeshiva University in Manhattan. He took time off between his undergraduate studies and worked as a physical therapy aide for two years, where he developed a love for rehabilitation medicine. He then pursued his medical training at The New York College of Osteopathic Medicine near his hometown on Long Island. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Indiana University and post-graduate fellowship training in Interventional Spine procedures here at The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center.

Dr. Bekampis is a New Jersey native, born and raised in Monmouth County. After graduating from Ocean Township High School, he went on to complete his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University and medical school at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. He then completed internship training at Jersey Shore University Medical Center followed by residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Rusk Rehabilitation/NYU Langone Health.

Yaser Albataineh MD is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist focused on optimizing patient mobility and function. Dr. Albataineh is a fellow local and grew up in Bergen County. He completed high school at the Academies@Englewood, his undergraduate studies at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and his medical education at Rutgers Robertwood Johnson Medical School. He went on to complete his intern year in Internal Medicine and specialty training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Albany Medical Center.

Dr. Jose Alonso graduated from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed his residency and Chief Residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center (CPMC). He then had the privilege of serving for eight years as Medical Director of the Rehabilitation inpatient units as well as being an Assistant Clinical Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at Columbia. In addition to teaching and learning from residents at CPMC, Dr. Alonso also developed his clinical skills, participated in research in Geriatric Rehab and other areas, worked with hospital administration, and lectured on a local and national level.

Dr. Shan Babeendran is a graduate of the New York University Rusk Institute and is board certified in Rehabilitation Medicine. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center. His primary focus is in musculoskeletal medicine and electrodiagnostic medicine. Dr. Babeendran is a firm believer that proper care involves a strong relationship between patient and physician. He takes great pride in the fact that he spends time learning about what is important to his patients, and how a particular diagnosis affects their lives.

Victor Bucalo, M.D. has been practicing at The PM&R Center since 2006. Dr. Bucalo completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Nassau County Medical Center, and earned his medical doctorate with honors from St. George’s University School of Medicine. Dr. Bucalo is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation as well as the American Medical Association.

Dr. Paul Jendrek completed his residency program at Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University Medical Center where he received a broad training in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. During that time, he served as the Chief Resident at three of the programs' hospitals. He acquired special training in the treatment of severely disabled individuals who required the use of multiple assistive devices and specialized wheelchairs. With a background in mechanical engineering, he also had a special interest in the design and use of prosthetic and orthotic devices. Following his training at Rusk, he was able to use these skills in an outpatient setting at the International Center for the Disabled in New York City. There he advanced to the position of Medical Director, gaining experience in the administrative aspects of rehabilitation. At the Center, he also had an opportunity to teach residents from such institutions as New York Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center.