Lunch & Learn Videos

Moderators: Prachi Bakarania, DPT, with Michael G. Vitale, MD, MPH; and Amber Mizerik, PA-C

Special Video: Clare Frank, PT, DPT, MS | Founder, Movement Links;

Panel: Trella Allen, PT, DPT | Certified Scoliosis PT, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia; Abigail Smul, PT, DPT | Certified Scoliosis PT, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia; and Rebekah Wallach, PT, DPT | Certified Scoliosis PT, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia

In this session, international expert Clare Frank, PT, DPT, MS (Founder of Movement Links) and a panel of certified scoliosis physical therapists from the NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center system break down how to develop a consistent, comprehensive assessment for scoliosis patients. Learn how to look beyond standard radiographic imaging to evaluate core function, physical mobility, and advanced biomechanics to build highly individualized conservative treatment plans.

Moderators: Michael G. Vitale, MD, MPH, and Prachi Bakarania, DPT

Guest Speakers: Paul R. Haffey, DO, and Clark C. Smith, MD

In this session, guests Paul R. Haffey, DO, and Clark C. Smith, MD, join Michael Vitale, MD, and moderator Prachi Bakarania, DPT, to explore the comprehensive strategies used to address the multifaceted nature of pain in scoliosis patients across their lifespan. By integrating surgical expertise with specialized physical medicine and rehabilitation, the panel discusses how to transition from traditional treatments to a modern, holistic care model.

Moderators: Michael G. Vitale, MD, MPH, and Amber Mizerik, PA-C

Guest Speakers: Julia Rakin, Mental Health Coordinator, Columbia Pediatric Orthopedics, and Patricia Tsui, PhD, Asst. Professor, CUMC Departments of Anesthesiology & Medical Psychology

Guest Speakers: Alessandra Negrini, Physiotherapist, Italy’s Instituto Scientifico Italiano Colonno Vertebrale (ISICO), and Amy ​Sbihli, MPT, DPT, Owner, Spine Academy Physical Therapy

Alessandra Negrini, Physiotherapist, from Italy’s Instituto Scientifico Italiano Colonno Vertebrale (ISICO):

• SOSORT member since 2010
• Speaker in numerous national and international meetings
• Since 2011 teacher in national and international educational SEAS Courses for physicians and physiotherapists
• Winner of 2019 SOSORT Award: Impact of sports activity on fulltime braced patients: an observational study on 785 Risser 0-2 adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis

Amy ​Sbihli, MPT, DPT Amy Sbihli is the owner of Spine Academy Physical Therapy in the Boston area. She began working with outpatient orthopedic spine and scoliosis patients of all ages in 2004. Amy is certified to practice and teach the Rigo Concept – Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School (BSPTS) and earned her Schroth certification in 2005 from Dr. Manuel Rigo of the Barcelona Scoliosis Physical Therapy School.

Since then she has spent the past 15 years treating patients and traveling to Spain, Italy, Germany, Croatia, and Canada to further her education and speak at conferences on scoliosis. She is also a founding member of the BSPTS – North America, which trains physical therapists in the Rigo Concept – BSPTS.

Guest Speakers: Christen M. Russo, MD, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Columbia Orthopedics and Ilene Fennoy, MD, Pediatric Endocrinologist, ColumbiaDoctors

Dr. Christen Russo, associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the non-operative and operative care of pediatric patients, from pre-natal to adolescent care and consultation. She has particular interests in bone health and nutrition, conservative management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, and trauma.

Dr. Russo approaches care holistically, recognizing that pediatric patients are not just little adults – they have different needs based on their unique family, education and athletic dispositions. She promotes a commitment to education, so that at the end of the visit, parents and patients are comfortable and understand the pathology and treatment plans.

Dr. Ilene Fennoy is a board certified pediatric endocrinologist with additional certification as a Physician Nutrition Specialist as well as an Obesity Medicine specialist. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree form the University of California, San Francisco and her Masters Degree in Public Health from Columbia University, School of Public Health. Her pediatric training was done in the Department of Social Pediatrics, Montefiore Hospital, Bronx, New York, Nutrition training at the Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University and Pediatric Endocrine training with the Pediatric Medicine Branch off the National Institute of Child Health, Bethesda, Maryland.

Guest Speakers: Farah Hameed, MD, and Laura Glazebrook, DPT

Farah Hameed, MD was raised in Houston, TX for most of her life. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where she majored in the Plan II Honors Program and graduated with University Honors.

Dr. Hameed sees patients of all ages, from adolescents to adults. Additionally, she specializes in pregnancy related back and pelvic girdle pain as well as caring for female athletes. Her goal is to plan comprehensive and structured rehabilitation programs for patients by treating their injuries quickly and creating a personalized regimen of care for each patient. She also focuses on education and awareness of injury prevention through proper training and technique.

Laura Glazebrook, DPT: I earned my Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of North Georgia. I’ve spent a decade specializing in neurological injuries at world-renowned Shepherd Center in Atlanta, and have specialized training to evaluate and treat a variety of pelvic health concerns for all genders and ages.

I’m proud to be an active member of the Academy of Pelvic Health as well as the Global Pelvic Health Alliance. I’ve completed Advanced Level 3 Rigo Concept certification to assess & treat complex spinal conditions including scoliosis and kyphosis. I assisted in creating a groundbreaking bowel and bladder clinic for the Multiple Sclerosis Institute at the Shepherd Center and play an integral role in the interdisciplinary treatment team.

Guest Speaker: Brian G. Smith, MD, FAAP, FAOA

We’ll take a deep dive into clinical research and nonoperative management of scoliosis. Our own Dr. Michael Vitale and Guest Speaker Dr. Brian G. Smith, former Chief of the Orthopaedic & Scoliosis Division at Texas Children’s Hospital, will share their expertise and experience conducting numerous research projects, as well as sharing tips on producing sound, well-designed studies.

Dr. Smith served as the Chief of the Division of Orthopaedics and Scoliosis at Texas Children’s Hospital from 2018–2024.

He graduated magna cum laude from Williams College, and received both his MD and Orthopaedic residency training at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Following four years in the Air Force, he completed a fellowship in Pediatric Orthopaedics at Children’s Hospital in Boston. He then worked for 15 years at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford. He also previously served as the Director of Pediatric Orthopaedics and professor at the Yale University School of Medicine and the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital where he was also Resident Director.

Dr. Smith’s philosophy of care is based on a careful assessment and determination of the patient’s and family’s needs and wishes in order to provide the best possible care and achieve the optimal outcome for the patient and their family. The principles guiding his provision of care include honesty, communication, integrity and compassion.

Guest Speakers: Zeeshan Sardar, MD, Spine Orthopedic Surgeon, and Beth Terranova, DPT, Founder of Strength and Spine

Dr. Zeeshan M. Sardar is the Associate Chief of Spinal Deformities of Columbia University Department of Orthopedics and the Medical Director of the Spine Unit at The Och Spine Hospital/Allen. His practice is devoted exclusively to the treatment of pediatric and adult spinal disorders. He treats patients at The Och Spine Hospital/Allen and The Children’s Hospital of New York, both located in Manhattan. Dr. Sardar is an expert in the treatment of spine conditions affecting adult and adolescent patients. His practice focuses on the operative care of spinal deformities and degenerative conditions utilizing the most advanced diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical techniques available. When surgery is indicated Dr. Sardar leverages Advanced Imaging, 3-D models, and Robotic Assisted Surgical Tools to restore function, and help patients get back to their life.

Beth Terranova, DPT, a physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning coach, turned her own scoliosis journey into a source of empowerment for others. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from CUNY Hunter College and is an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. She is also trained in the Barcelona-Schroth Method, SSOL-Schroth Method and Scoliosis Exercise Approach for Scoliosis (SEAS), enhancing her focus on scoliosis and kyphosis. At her company Strength and Spine, she offers specialized online personal training for those with scoliosis, spinal fusion, and other spinal conditions, blending rehabilitation with fitness to foster strength and self-confidence.

Dr. Kate Bacigalpo, PT, DPT is a physical therapist at PhysioElements in Manhasset, NY and specializes in EDS/hypermobility and scoliosis. Kate received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in Boston, MA in 2015 and since then has dedicated her career to advocating for patients with generalized joint hypermobility and related connective tissue disorders. Kate is an SSOL P2 Advanced Schroth Therapist and takes a special interest in treatment and management for patients that present with both scoliosis and connective tissue disorders. Kate takes an integrative approach to patient care for this patient population, and is eager to share the approach as well as the nuances that come along with treating patients with both diagnoses.

In our second Lunch & Learn, we discussed advances in Juvenile idiopathic scoliosis and benefits of bracing in this younger population. Our speakers were Dr. Benjamin Roye, MD, MPH, who is an attending surgeon and associate professor of Surgery at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and John Tunney. Dr. Roye’s practice specializes in the surgical management of complex spine conditions, juvenile and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, and other spine orthopedic traumas. John Tunney is a director of East Coast Orthotics and Prosthetics and a certified orthotist specializing in the New York Rigo Cheneau brace. John is considered one of the few master brace makers in the country and is a leader in the industry and has redesigned the Rigo Cheneau brace.

Columbia Pediatric Orthopedics invites you to join our new Lunch & Learn webinar series focusing on scoliosis and spine conditions across the lifespan. The series, held five or six times per year, is designed to improve scoliosis and spine care by providing participants and faculty a forum for interaction and collaboration. This seminar focuses on Tether Decision Making and Post Op Physical Therapy.