Philip Tasca, MD

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. Tasca works in our practice at the Englewood, Bardonia and Riverdale offices. His medical interests are diverse and include general musculoskeletal medicine, including sports medicine, and electrodiagnostic medicine, in addition to his special interest in disorders of the spine, including the low back and neck. Dr. Tasca has presented his research in the field of electrodiagnostics at both the state and national levels, and most recently is involved in authoring a chapter in a medical textbook in interventional spine care, slated to be published worldwide. He has been involved in numerous research projects focused on intervenional spine care, and hopes to continue to apply his passion for academic medicine to his patient care, so that his patients may receive the most current, state-of-the-art care available.

When not practicing medicine, Dr. Tasca enjoys spending time with his family closely knit from South Philadelphia. He also enjoys playing sports, including volleyball and running, playing his Fender electric guitar, and the piano. He prefers his cheesesteaks without onions.

Educational Background

• Interventional Spine Fellow, December 2003 – November 2004, Penn Spine Center, The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Resident, January 2001 – December 2003, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
• Neurology Resident, July-December 2000, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY
• Internship in Internal Medicine, July 1999 – June 2000, Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington, PA
• Doctor of Medicine, June 1999, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
• Bachelor of Science in Biophysical, May 1994, Brown University, Providence, RI

Research and Publications

• Book Chapter, “Sacroiliac Joint Syndrome – Epidemiology and Examination”, in Interventional Spine, An Algorithmic Approach, CW Slipman, R Derby, FA Simeone, TG Meyer, Editors. Elsevier Science, Ltd., London, UK, 2005. Publication forthcoming.
• Current Publication, “Peripheral Nerve and Orthopedic Injuries in an Inpatient Brain Injured Population”, Moss Rehab Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. In progress.
• Current Publication, “Effect of Hand Position on Motor and Sensory Action Potential Amplitude and Latency”, Moss Rehab Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. In progress.
• Diagnostic Imaging July 1995-July 1998, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, Analyzed in vivo human kidney anatomy using spiral CT and three-dimensional image reconstruction software. Supervised data acquisition and analysis, as well as image reconstruction and analysis.
• Research Coordinator August 1994-August 1995, University of Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL. Worked with the principal investigator of a national, multi-center study group investigating the pathobiological determinants of atherosclerosis in youth (PDAY). In charge of coordinating research between the twelve centers, grant renewal and other financial matters, and resource disbursement among the various investigators.
• SPECT Signal Filtering January-June 1994, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI. As a bachelor’s degree in science senior thesis studied the volumetric accuracy of various electronic filters as applied to reconstructed SPECT images, comparing the results to those obtained by CT. This work was conducted in and used by the New England Gamma Knife Center, where brain tumors are targeted and treated with focused gamma radiation.
• Bioinstrumentation Design August-December 1993, Brown University, Providence, RI. Designed, built, and tested a mechanical force transducer for use inside an NMR spectrometer. Based on both fiber-optic and electronic data flow, this system was designed to interface with a computer-based output.

Honors

• Rex Newton Award April 2002, Hershey, PA, Abstract entitled “Effect of Hand Position on Motor and Sensory Action Potential Amplitude and Latency”. Received award with Doctors Michael Frey and Scott Jarmain, for best abstract submitted to the annual assembly of the Pennsylvania Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
• Sigma Xi National Scientific Research Honor Society May 1994, Providence, RI, Elected associated member.

Professional Activities

• Chair, AAPM&R RPC Information Systems Committee 2001-2003 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Resident Physician Council, Chicago, IL, Coordinated development of the Academy’s Resident Physician Council website, including content and layout. Projects have included development and expansion of the Residents’ Bulletin Board of listserv systems, and a major redesign of the Resident Physician Council website.
• Assistant Team Physician, Philadelphia University Athletic Department Spring 2002, Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, PA, Attended games and team practices for the University’s women’s soccer, women’s lacrosse, and men’s baseball teams, assisting the primary team physician and the athletic trainer.
• Computer Systems Consultant September 1995-July 1999, Temple University Health Sciences Center Libraries, Philadelphia, PA, Served as advisor for computer systems maintenance, upgrades, and purchasing.

Lectures and Public Speaking Engagement

• Abstract Presentation, Annual Meeting of the Association of Academic Physiatrists of Pennsylvania, July 2003, Hershey, PA, “Peripheral Nerve and Orthopedic Injuries in an Inpatient Brain Injured Population”
• Guest Lecturer, Drucker Brain Injury Center Educational Lecture Series June 2003, Drucker Brain Injury Center, Moss Rehab Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, “Electrophysiologic Diagnosis in Traumatic Brain Injury”
• Guest Lecturer, Physical Therapy Residents’ Neuroscience Lecture Series, May 2002, May 2003, Department of Physical Therapy, Moss Rehab Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, Topics included brain infections, brain tumor, electrodiagnosis, and cerebellar disease.
• Guest Lecturer, Temple University Department of Physical Therapy Lecture Series, February 2003, Department of Physical Therapy, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, “Evoked Potential Studies: Basic Science and Clinical Applications”
• Research Paper Presentation, Annual Assembly of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, October 2002, Orlando, FL, “Peripheral Nerve and Orthopedic Injuries in an Inpatient Brain Injured Population”
• Research Paper Presentation, Annual Assembly of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, October 2002, Orlando, FL, “Effect of Hand Position on Motor and Sensory Action Potential Amplitude and Latency”