Doctors

Our team includes internists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, physiatrists, and chiropractors. Allow us to introduce ourselves.

David H. Zelefsky, M.D.

President and principal practitioner here at NY Rehab, Dr. David H. Zelefsky has been practicing medicine in the five boroughs since 1987. He is board certified by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, is a member of both the American Medical Association and the Richmond County Medical Society. Dr. Zelefsky has presented research on such varied topics as quadriparesis, burn injuries, hemiplegia, hypertonicity, and delivered lecture series' on stroke rehabilitation and pediatric rehabilitation at Staten Island University Hospital. Today, Dr. Zelefsky serves patients at NY Rehab, and remains affiliated with both Jacobi Medical Center and North Central Bronx Hospital. A native New Yorker, he attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Yeshiva University, where he attained Cum Laude standing as well as a position on the Dean's List.

Dr. Zelefsky says the thing he loves most about NY Rehab is feeling like a part of a team that is united under one common goal: to apply rigorous attention to detailed treatment and cutting-edge technology to treat the problems of people who once thought their conditions untreatable. Seeing smiles on the faces of those who have found hope through natural remedies at NY Rehab is a reward he enjoys daily.

Paolo Perrone, M.D.

Dr. Perrone is NY Rehab's resident internist, as certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Society of Internal Medicine. Dr. Perrone received his Doctor of Medicine and Surgery at University of Palermo, Italy in 1994, and completed his residency at Sisters of Charity Medical Center in New York. A fluent speaker of English, Italian, and Spanish, Dr. Perrone has been published in numerous medical journals, including the Southern Medical Journal, Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, and the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, and is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College .

Dr. Perrone dedicates his free time to his family, spending time with his two young children Angelo and Caterina, as well as his wife, whom he affectionately calls his best friend.

Igor E. Cohen, M.D.

Dr. Cohen graduated from the Andizhan State Medical Institute of Uzbekistan as one of the top 10 students in 1988. After completing his neurology residency, he worked as an attending physician and assistant professor for the neurology department until deciding to move to the U.S. During his professional career in Uzbekistan, he took several courses in invasive and noninvasive pain management. From 1999 to 2003, he underwent his neurology residency training at NSUH at Manhasset and served his last year as chief resident. He was then accepted into the fellowship program at the same hospital for "Clinical Neurophysiology and EMG," from which he graduated in 2004. Since then, he joined the professional team at NY Rehab and currently practices general neurology with special interest in neurophysiology and pain management. Dr. Cohen performs and interprets EMG/NCS (electromyography/nerve conduction studies), EEG (electroencephalography), SSEP/BAER/VEP, and performs different varieties of injection techniques for pain management. He also applies special attention to patients with different types of painful conditions, headaches, dizziness/vertigo, Parkinson's disease, dementia and many other neurological conditions.

Dr. Cohen's first love is his family, and it is with them that he spends his rare moments of free time. Nature is his second love, and when he can escape, he enjoys swimming and diving in the ocean, long hikes into the mountains, and exploring small villages. During his less adventurous moments, Dr. Cohen enjoys reading and the cinema.

Fidel E. Rodriguez, M.D.

Dr. Fidel Rodriguez joined NY Rehab in 2007, and serves as a physiatrist on our staff. In practice since 1990, Dr. Rodriguez is a member of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He was affiliated with both Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, NY, and Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, MD, and completed his own medical education at the State University of New York's Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY.  Dr. Rodriguez is primary physician for NY Rehab's Spanish-speaking patients.

Lauren Stimler-Levy, M.D.

Dr. Stimler-Levy serves as a physiatrist at NY Rehab's Valley Stream practice, and focuses on chronic pain management, treatment of acute work-related injuries, motor vehicle accidents, as well as tendon, joint, and trigger point injections. As of 1999, Dr. Stimler-Levy is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Stimler-Levy has served previously as Medical Director for an Article 28 physical medicine and rehabilitation facility in Franklin Square, NY, and worked in private practice in Rockville Center, NY and Patchogue, NY. She completed her Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency as well as 3 years of a General Surgery residency at Nassau University Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center. She has worked as a surgical house physician at St. John's Episcopal Hospital in Queens. She has experience testifying in court cases, as well as in performing Peer Reviews and IME's, and has voluntary hospital privileges as a lecturer at Nassau University Medical Center where she lectures residents. Dr. Stimler-Levy graduated Magna Cum Laude from Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at the City College of New York where she received her Bachelor's of Science Degree, and subsequently completed her M.D. at the State University of New York's Stony Brook Medical School in 1986.

Dr. Stimler-Levy says that NY Rehab is a perfect mix for her, given her extensive experience working in general surgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation at a Level I Trauma Center. Over the past 20+ years, she has seen and treated patients with injuries and pain from their initial presentation in a surgical emergency room and is intimately familiar with all stages of injury and rehabilitation.

Nelson Castro, D.C.

As one of NY Rehab's brilliant team of chiropractors, Dr. Castro has been at NY Rehab since his graduation from New York Chiropractic College in 1994, where he served as class president all four years and was honored with the Alumni Award, Clinic Award, and Distinguished Service Award upon graduation. He is a member of the New York State Chiropractic Association and the World Chiropractic Association, and is a major advocate of spinal decompression therapy, which he describes as "revolutionary, like nothing in the history of disc herniation treatment."

Dr. Castro donates time to his community through the Doctor's Speaker Group by lecturing civic groups on the topics of Fibromyalgia, Health & Stress, Asthma, and other health related issues. In a previous life, Dr. Castro was a professional musician, recording an album and performing on television for Jerry Lewis' Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon. He is adept with the guitar, drums, and keyboard, but his talents are not limited to the world of music; he enjoys basketball, lacrosse, football, and wrestling. A family man as well, Dr. Castro beams when mentioning his young daughter Samantha, and says of his wife Kathy, "We've been married for more than 20 years, and every day I love her more than the last."

Peter Roth, D.C.

Dr. Roth has been practicing chiropractic since 1992, and has been doing so with NY Rehab since 1994. He is admired among the chiropractic community for his expertise in administering a several techniques including Diversified, Sacro-occipital and Upper Cervical Techniques. Dr. Roth takes great pride in the relationships he develops his patients, and is renowned among them for the especially gentle touch with which he administers adjustments. A 1992 graduate of New York Chiropractic College, he received his undergraduate education in biology at Queens College here in New York City.

Elena Ioannou-Fillos, D.C.

Dr. Ioannou-Fillos joined NY Rehab in 2005, adding depth to our chiropractic team. Previously she served patients at her own practice in Astoria , and is a 2001 graduate of Life University's School of Chiropractic in Atlanta, Georgia, which granted her the Clinical Excellence Award upon graduation. Dr. Ioannou-Fillos received her undergraduate education from Regents College.

Dr. Ioannou-Fillos's family is native to Cyprus. She is fluent in Greek, and an active member of the Greek community. Her recent marriage granted her the opportunity to exercise one of her principal passions: international travel. Dr. Ioannou-Fillos and her husband, a practicing oncologist, traveled the French and Italian Riviera. Previously, she has also spent time in Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Howard Goodman, D.C.

Dr. Howard Goodman has been rescuing patients in pain on Manhattan's Park Avenue since 1997, and in late 2008, joined forces with NY Rehab in order to offer his patients access to a greater range of treatment options. Dr. Goodman focuses on non-surgical treatments for severe herniated and bulging discs, and is himself a beneficiary of this type of non-invasive treatment. In 2000, Dr. Goodman suffered a herniated disc, and for three years survived on cortisone shots. While preparing for back surgery, Dr. Goodman was introduced to spinal decompression therapy by a colleague, and finally found real relief for his pain, without surgery. Since then, Dr. Goodman has made it his mission to offer the same quality non-surgical treatments to others, and in doing so has safely administered thousands of treatments to hundreds of satisfied patients.

Dr. Goodman is a graduate of the prestigious Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, Georgia, and a native New Yorker with a bachelor's degree from Long Island University. He is a member of the New York Friars Club, and administers treatment to many in the entertainment and sports worlds. Dr. Goodman is the proud father of a beautiful daughter and husband of an amazing wife, Gemma.

Filippo S. Ragone, D.C.

Dr. Ragone practices chiropractic care at NY Rehab's Valley Stream office, treating patients with severe back pain, neck pain, herniated discs, and a litany of other musculoskeletal ailments. A New York native, Dr. Ragone is a 1995 graduate of Hofstra University, and a graduated Manga Cum Laude in 1998 from New York Chiropractic College. He is a member of the American Chiropractic Association and the New York State Chiropractic Association, and is certified in Nimmo Myofascial Technique and Cox Flexion-Distraction. Dr. Ragone speaks English and Italian fluently.

Dr. Ragone says that the most amazing thing about being part of the NY Rehab team is the opportunity to develop such close personal relationships with patients he treats. A dedicated husband and father, he spends as much of his free time as possible with his family. He adores his beautiful daughter Ashley, and his wife Heather, who he refers to as his soul mate. Dr. Ragone loves sports and is a passionate Pittsburgh Steelers fan.