Doctors United

Marc Menkowitz, MD, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopaedic spine surgeon who specializes in the operative and nonoperative treatment of adult and pediatric spinal disorders. He provides care to patients at the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine in Shrewsbury, Toms River, and Edison, New Jersey.

Dr. Menkowitz started his education at The Hill School, a prestigious secondary boarding school in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and earned his medical degree from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, also in Philadelphia. He completed his orthopaedic surgery training at the Monmouth Medical Center, one of the oldest programs in New Jersey. Afterward, Dr. Menkowitz completed his spine surgery fellowship at The New York Spine Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. 

Upon completing his fellowship, he moved back to Monmouth County, New Jersey, and together with another fellowship-trained spine surgeon, they established the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine. Concurrently, he was appointed to the academic committee of the Monmouth Orthopaedic Surgery program. He is also an assistant professor at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Dr. Menkowitz has co-authored several articles pertaining to spinal surgery, which have been presented at international meetings. His areas of expertise include the operative and nonoperative treatment of adult and pediatric spinal deformity, disc herniations, degenerative conditions of the spine, tumors, and sports-related injuries.

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Steve Paragioudakis, MD, is an experienced orthopedic spine surgeon at the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine, with locations in Shrewsbury, Toms River, and Edison, New Jersey.

Dr. Paragioudakis received his Bachelor of Arts from Johns Hopkins University and his medical degree from the Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS), formerly the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Paragioudakis completed his internship and residency program at the RBHS in the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Department of Orthopaedics.

Dr. Paragioudakis has received recognition for his research throughout his career, and his clinical science paper received the International Volvo Award for Low Back Pain Research in 2000. He is a member of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, as well as the National Board of Medical Examiners.

In addition to serving patients at the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine, Dr. Paragioudakis provides care at Orthopaedic Spine Specialists of NJ.

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Courtney Ellenberger, NP-C, MSN, RN, RNFA is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurse First Assist. She completed her undergraduate nursing education at Seton Hall University and continued on to earn her Masters Degree in Nursing at Monmouth University. She began her nursing career as a Registered Nurse in the Operating Room at Monmouth Medical Center where she did a majority of her work in Orthopedic Surgery.

David Dickerson, MD, is a highly trained, board-certified orthopaedic surgeon at Performance Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Wall Township, Toms River, and Shrewsbury, New Jersey. He specializes in an integrative approach to treating and managing sports injuries and pediatric injuries, as well as joint reconstruction.

A native of Louisiana, Dr. Dickerson graduated summa cum laude from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He then went on to earn his Doctor of Medicine from Louisiana State University’s School of Medicine in Shreveport, Louisiana. After completing his internship in Greenville, South Carolina, Dr. Dickerson completed a residency in orthopaedic surgery at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey. 

Dr. Dickerson’s training didn’t stop there. He continued honing his craft, narrowing in on sports medicine while studying at the Orthopaedic Foundation for Active Lifestyles in Connecticut and New York. 

In his professional career as an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Dickerson mainly specializes in arthroscopic and reconstructive procedures of the shoulder, knee, ankle, elbow, and hip. He also performs comprehensive total joint replacement and helps his adult and child patients manage traumatic bone and joint injuries. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Dickerson has developed many close personal relationships with patients who are eternally grateful for his compassion and personalized care. 

When he’s not in the office treating patients, Dr. Dickerson leads an active lifestyle, participating in car racing, running, and golf.

Courtney Ellenberger, NP-C, MSN, RN, RNFA is a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurse First Assist. She completed her undergraduate nursing education at Seton Hall University and continued on to earn her Masters Degree in Nursing at Monmouth University. She began her nursing career as a Registered Nurse in the Operating Room at Monmouth Medical Center where she did a majority of her work in Orthopedic Surgery.

Steve Paragioudakis, MD, is an experienced orthopedic spine surgeon at the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine, with locations in Shrewsbury, Toms River, and Edison, New Jersey.

Dr. Paragioudakis received his Bachelor of Arts from Johns Hopkins University and his medical degree from the Rutgers School of Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS), formerly the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Paragioudakis completed his internship and residency program at the RBHS in the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Department of Orthopaedics.

Dr. Paragioudakis has received recognition for his research throughout his career, and his clinical science paper received the International Volvo Award for Low Back Pain Research in 2000. He is a member of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, as well as the National Board of Medical Examiners.

In addition to serving patients at the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine, Dr. Paragioudakis provides care at Orthopaedic Spine Specialists of NJ.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT DR. PARAGIOUDAKIS

Marc Menkowitz, MD, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopaedic spine surgeon who specializes in the operative and nonoperative treatment of adult and pediatric spinal disorders. He provides care to patients at the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine in Shrewsbury, Toms River, and Edison, New Jersey.

Dr. Menkowitz started his education at The Hill School, a prestigious secondary boarding school in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and earned his medical degree from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, also in Philadelphia. He completed his orthopaedic surgery training at the Monmouth Medical Center, one of the oldest programs in New Jersey. Afterward, Dr. Menkowitz completed his spine surgery fellowship at The New York Spine Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. 

Upon completing his fellowship, he moved back to Monmouth County, New Jersey, and together with another fellowship-trained spine surgeon, they established the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine. Concurrently, he was appointed to the academic committee of the Monmouth Orthopaedic Surgery program. He is also an assistant professor at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Dr. Menkowitz has co-authored several articles pertaining to spinal surgery, which have been presented at international meetings. His areas of expertise include the operative and nonoperative treatment of adult and pediatric spinal deformity, disc herniations, degenerative conditions of the spine, tumors, and sports-related injuries.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT DR. MENKOWITZ

With his dedication to advancements in non-operative alternative treatments and surgical procedures, Board-certified Hand Surgeon, Gregory G. Fedorcik, MD, FACS, is a trusted expert for patients suffering from hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow ailments. He treats patients at Central Jersey Hand Surgery, with office locations in Eatontown, and Toms River, New Jersey.

Dr. Fedorcik earned his Bachelor of Science from Hamilton College, Medical Degree from SGUSOM, and then completed his five year Surgery Residency at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ in 2005.  

Following residency Dr. Fedorcik trained at Duke University Medical Center’s highly competitive Hand, Upper Extremity and Microvascular Fellowship program in Durham, North Carolina.  During his fellowship he gained extensive experience learning and working with world leaders in hand and upper extremity surgery. 

Continuing his education and providing evidence based treatment is important to Dr. Fedorcik. He’s a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a Founder’s Member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, a member of the American Association for Surgery of the Hand, the Duke Hand Society, the Piedmont Orthopedic Society, and the New York Society for Surgery of the Hand, among others.  

Dr. Fedorcik has particular interest and expertise in minimally invasive treatment of distal radius fractures, wrist arthroscopy for sports related ligament injuries, carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndromes, and remains current with the most advanced treatment options for hand and wrist arthritis, Dupuytren’s disease, and peripheral nerve repair and reconstruction.  

Dr. Fedorcik continues to be recognized annually as one of the prestigious Castle Connely “Top Doctors,” and is highlighted as a “Top Doctor” in Inside Jersey magazine.  

Dr. Fedorcik currently accepts new patients and welcomes them to the practice. 

As a leader in integrative conservative care and complex minimally invasive hand and wrist surgery, board-certified orthopedist George Gabuzda, MD, FACS, FAAOS, is a trusted practitioner. He treats patients at Central Jersey Hand Surgery, which has modern offices in Eatontown, and Toms River, New Jersey.

Dr. Gabuzda earned his Doctor of Medicine from the Philadelphia University Thomas Jefferson Medical School (now Sidney Kimmel Medical College). After graduating, Dr. Gabuzda completed an orthopedic surgery residency through the University of Connecticut in Hartford. To further his expertise, Dr. Gabuzda went through an in-depth hand surgery fellowship at the prestigious Tufts University in Boston. 

Staying updated with both nonsurgical and surgical hand and wrist treatments is important to Dr. Gabuzda. He’s board certified in orthopaedic surgery and surgery of the hand by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. 

Dr. Gabuzda is also a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. Additionally, Dr. Gabuzda maintains a professional membership with the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.

Dr. Gabuzda currently accepts new patients and welcomes them to the practice.

As a native of Monmouth County, Jeremy Ruskin, MD, is excited to provide care of the *elbow, wrist, and hand to his patients at Central Jersey Hand Surgery. Dr. Ruskin treats patients in the practice’s offices in Eatontown, Freehold, and Toms River.

Dr. Ruskin earned his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. From there, he attended Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School and earned his Doctorate of Medicine. He remained at Rutgers where he completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. Finally, Dr. Ruskin completed a fellowship in hand, upper extremity, and microvascular surgery.

As a part of his practice, Dr. Ruskin takes care of injuries throughout the entire upper extremity, from the shoulder down to the fingers. He has a special interest in shoulder replacements, shoulder arthroscopy, traumatic injuries of the elbow, fracture care, the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries, surgical and non-surgical treatment of arthritis, and sports injuries. His aim is to take care of all of your upper extremity needs, both surgically and non-surgically.

Dr. Ruskin is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and is a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and dog, cooking and eating, and riding his Peloton bike.

Known for his expertise in complex hand and wrist conditions, board-certified orthopedist Raymond Decker Jr., MD, FACS, FAAOS, ABIME, CIME, can help patients recover from the pain and restore their hand functions. Dr. Decker cares for patients at Central Jersey Hand Surgery in Eatontown, and Toms River, New Jersey. 

After earning his Doctor of Medicine from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., Dr. Decker went through extensive patient care training. He completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey. Dr. Decker then finished a hand and microsurgery fellowship at Tampa General Hospital in Florida. 

Not only is Dr. Decker board certified in orthopaedic surgery and surgery of the hand by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, but he also has advanced training and professional affiliations. Dr. Decker is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. 

He even maintains memberships with the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the American Medical Association, and the Eastern Orthopaedic Association, to name a few. As a specialized medical expert, Dr. Decker is a respected certified Independent Medical Examiner and is affiliated with the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners. 

Dr. Decker currently accepts new patients and welcomes them to the practice. 

As a renowned expert in complex hand and wrist conditions, board-certified orthopedist Gary Pess, MD, FACS, FAAOS, brings a wealth of knowledge to Central Jersey Hand Surgery. He cares for patients at the state-of-the-art practice locations in Eatontown, and Toms River, New Jersey. 

Dr. Pess earned his Doctor of Medicine from the State University of New York Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn. After graduating, Dr. Pess completed a comprehensive orthopedic surgery residency at the New York University Langone Health Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City. 

To further his expertise, Dr. Pess went through an in-depth fellowship in hand surgery, upper extremity surgery and microsurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Dr. Pess is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in orthopaedic surgery and surgery of the hand. He was also trained in Needle Aponeurotomy in Paris, France.

Throughout his career, Dr. Pess has furthered his education and maintained professional affiliations to ensure he stays up to date with the latest advancements in medicine. He holds a certificate of added qualifications in hand surgery, in addition to memberships with the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the American Association for Hand Surgery and the American Medical Association, among others. He’s also a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons.  

He is the co-inventor of a knife used for minimally invasive trigger finger release and a world-wide expert in Needle Aponeurotomy and Xiaflex for Dupuytren’s contracture.

Because of Dr. Pess’ dedication to high-quality patient care and continuing education, he’s the recipient of numerous awards. Dr. Pess was listed as one of the prestigious Castle Connely “Top Doctors,” in addition to multiple recognitions as one of the “Top Doctors” in New Jersey Monthly. 

Dr. Pess currently accepts new patients and welcomes them to the practice.