Founded in 1987, New Jersey Spine Center is the leading statewide referral center for the treatment of spine-related disorders. Its doctors, including spine surgeons Drs. Michael Alapatt, J. Scott Clark-Schoeb, Kenneth Rieger, and Steven G. Dorsky and pain medicine physicians Drs. Brett Gerstman, Matthew Lipp, and John Shumko, work in concert for a common goal. Treatment is individualized and focused on education, compassion, and returning patients to the activities they love.

“It is rewarding to know that our predominantly in-network model provides access to excellent spine care for the entire community,” says Dr. Clark-Schoeb.

“Constant pain affects every aspect of your life,” says Dr. Alapatt. “As a team, we focus on getting people back to their highest level of function so they can continue to enjoy life, without pain.”

Dr. Rieger knows that a positive patient experience contributes to a successful outcome. He approaches every encounter with this in mind. “The collaborative nature of our practice allows us to provide the best of both surgical and non-surgical treatments under one roof.”

“We build relationships with each patient,” says Dr. Lipp. “Keeping those relationships strong is especially important as we practice more telemedicine—while still providing the highest level of care.”

Dr. Shumko offers his patients the benefit of his extensive experience after more than two decades with Saint Barnabas Medical Center (now Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center) that include his time as chairman of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS: Morristown Medical Center; Overlook Medical Center, Summit; Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston; Short Hills Surgery Center, Millburn.