Dr. Kenneth J. Rieger is a fellowship-trained, board-certified spine surgeon specializing in disorders of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. Known for his patient-centered, conservative approach, Dr. Rieger works closely with patients and their care teams to develop balanced, personalized treatment plans.

Dr. Rieger earned his undergraduate degree with honors in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he also completed a five-year orthopedic surgery residency, serving as Chief Resident in his final year. He later completed the Kenton D. Leatherman Spine Fellowship in Louisville, Kentucky.

Trained in both adult and pediatric spine surgery, Dr. Rieger has special interests in degenerative spine conditions, tumors, fractures, infections, scoliosis, and minimally invasive spine surgery. He is a member of the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and has been recognized as both a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and a New Jersey Monthly Top Doc.

Dr. Michael Alapatt is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in the surgical treatment of spinal disorders using the least invasive techniques possible to help patients restore mobility and return to active lifestyles.

Dr. Alapatt earned his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Boston University, followed by his medical degree from the Boston University School of Medicine. He completed a five-year orthopedic surgery residency at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, an academic affiliate of Columbia University, where he served as Chief Resident and received recognition for nationally presented research. He later completed advanced spine surgery fellowship training at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

A New Jersey native, Dr. Alapatt is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the North American Spine Society, with a strong commitment to improving quality of life through thoughtful, minimally invasive spine care.

Dr. Brett Gerstman is board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine, specializing in non-operative spine care and the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal, neurological, and pain conditions. His patient-centered approach focuses on improving function and enhancing quality of life through conservative treatments, rehabilitation, and interventional pain procedures.

Dr. Gerstman earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, before receiving his medical degree from Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He completed his residency at Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School/Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, where he served as Academic Chief Resident, followed by an ACGME-accredited Pain Medicine Fellowship through the UCLA/WLA VA Multicampus Training Program.

A Clinical Assistant Professor at Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Dr. Gerstman is experienced in a range of advanced pain management techniques, including spinal injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, joint injections, and spinal cord stimulation therapy. He has also contributed to the field through national presentations, published research, and medical textbook chapters.

Dr. John Z. Shumko is a board-certified specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with extensive expertise in musculoskeletal and spine disorders. He provides comprehensive, non-operative care for conditions including spine and joint pain, sports injuries, arthritis, muscle disorders, and balance or mobility concerns, with a strong focus on achieving the best possible outcomes through conservative treatment.

Dr. Shumko earned both his medical degree and Ph.D. in Anatomy and Cell Biology from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He completed his residency at UMDNJ-University Hospital and the nationally recognized Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, where he served as Academic Chief Resident and was elected to the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.

With more than 20 years of leadership experience, Dr. Shumko previously served as Chairman of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Medical Director of Orthopedic and Sports Medicine programs at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. He is also experienced in electrodiagnostic testing (EMG) to evaluate nerve and muscle disorders and is known for his compassionate, patient-focused approach to care.

For more than 15 years, Dr. Matthew Lipp has provided individualized, patient-centered care for individuals experiencing work-related injuries, sports injuries, and degenerative neck and back conditions. He specializes in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation as well as interventional pain management, with fellowship training in minimally invasive procedures including epidural steroid injections, facet injections, nerve ablations, spinal cord stimulation, and EMG testing to help diagnose complex conditions.

Dr. Lipp earned his undergraduate degree from Franklin & Marshall College and his medical degree from New York Medical College. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident, followed by fellowship training in Interventional Spine and Orthopedic-Sports Rehabilitation at Beth Israel Medical Center.

A subspecialty-certified pain management physician, Dr. Lipp has been recognized annually as a New Jersey Monthly “Top Doctor” since 2009 and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Dr. Michael Monfett is a board-certified physiatrist with advanced expertise in interventional spine care, sports medicine, musculoskeletal medicine, ultrasound-guided procedures, and electrodiagnostic testing. He specializes in helping patients manage spine, sports-related, and musculoskeletal conditions through personalized, non-operative treatment approaches.

Prior to joining New Jersey Spine Center, Dr. Monfett served as Medical Director and lead sports and spine physician at Skyline Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Manhattan for eight years. He completed advanced fellowship training at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and has served as a team physician for university and high school athletic programs.

Dr. Monfett completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation/Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, with additional training through Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Jersey City Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine and his undergraduate degree from Brown University, where he captained the men’s lacrosse team.