Black Bear Sports Group Medical Advisory Board
Black Bear Sports Group has a medical advisory board that provides advice on procedures at our rinks for safety and health. If you would like to learn more about the doctors on our advisory board, the bios they have each provided are below.
Dr. David Abrutyn
Orthopedic Surgery Sports Medicine |
Dr. Kyle Flik
Orthopedic Surgery Sports Medicine |
Dr. Jason Levy
Chiropractic Sports Medicine |
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Dr. Anthony Scillia
Orthopedic Surgery Sports Medicine |
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Dr. Michael Shindle
Orthopedic Surgery Sports Medicine |
Dr. Oscar Vazquez
Orthopedic Surgery Sports Medicine |
Dr. Francis Wang
Primary Care Sports Medicine |
Dr. David Abrutyn
David A. Abrutyn, MD is an orthopedic surgeon who is fellowship trained and board certified in Sports Medicine. His specialty is the nonoperative and operative treatment of shoulder and knee injuries. He treats children over the age of 10, athletes and adults. His passion and focus are on tissue preservation, anatomic restoration and healing, and minimally invasive surgery. His surgical practice focuses on the treatment of the shoulder and knee with a primary emphasis on advanced arthroscopic and reconstructive procedures.
Dr. Abrutyn is the current team orthopedic surgeon for the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club and Immaculata High School Athletics in Somerville, NJ. He is also actively involved in the treatment of athletes from the Skyland High School Athletic Conference. He is the former team physician for Sky Blue Football Club (FC), New Jersey’s women’s professional soccer team and the Long Beach Ice Dogs, a minor league hockey team based in Long Beach, CA.
Dr. Abrutyn championed and implemented the Joint Surgery Center at RWJ Somerset Hospital in Somerville, NJ. This a comprehensive, patient centric total joint replacement program that is nationally recognized the the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval. He is currently the medical director of the Athletic Trainer and Sports Performance service line at RWJ Somerset Hospital.
Dr. Abrutyn is passionate about athletics, fitness, and prevention. His goal is to try to establish realistic expectations, educating his patients about their conditions and treatment options, which allows them to partner with him to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Dr. Abrutyn sees patients in Bridgewater and Warren, NJ. For more information call 908-685-8500 or visit www.smgortho.com
Additional Information on David Abrutyn, MD
Dr. Abrutyn is the current team orthopedic surgeon for the Somerset Patriots Baseball Club and Immaculata High School Athletics in Somerville, NJ. He is also actively involved in the treatment of athletes from the Skyland High School Athletic Conference. He is the former team physician for Sky Blue Football Club (FC), New Jersey’s women’s professional soccer team and the Long Beach Ice Dogs, a minor league hockey team based in Long Beach, CA.
Dr. Abrutyn championed and implemented the Joint Surgery Center at RWJ Somerset Hospital in Somerville, NJ. This a comprehensive, patient centric total joint replacement program that is nationally recognized the the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval. He is currently the medical director of the Athletic Trainer and Sports Performance service line at RWJ Somerset Hospital.
Dr. Abrutyn is passionate about athletics, fitness, and prevention. His goal is to try to establish realistic expectations, educating his patients about their conditions and treatment options, which allows them to partner with him to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Dr. Abrutyn sees patients in Bridgewater and Warren, NJ. For more information call 908-685-8500 or visit www.smgortho.com
Additional Information on David Abrutyn, MD
Dr. Kyle Flik
Dr. Kyle Flik is the Medical Director at OrthoNY's ambulatory surgery center. Dr. Flik was the first surgeon in the Capital Region board certified in both Orthopedics and Orthopedic Sports Medicine Surgery. He was selected to be a member of American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, an international organization of shoulder specialists.
Dr. Flik treats all shoulder conditions including arthroscopic rotator cuff or labrum repairs, and total or reverse shoulder replacements. He is an arthroscopic specialist for knee conditions including ligament and meniscus tears, cartilage problems, and other sports injuries.
Dr. Flik graduated from Dartmouth College where he earned 8 varsity letters as a member of both Division 1 ice hockey and lacrosse teams. Before starting medical school at the University of Vermont, he further pursued his athletic interests by playing professional ice hockey in Europe. Dr. Flik attended the Hospital for Special Surgery, long considered one of the top orthopaedic training hospitals in the country. His interest in sports medicine led him to Rush University where he completed a fellowship and served as assistant team physician for the Chicago White Sox (MLB), Chicago Bulls (NBA), and Chicago Rush (Arena Football League). Since coming to the Capital Region, Dr. Flik has been named team physician for three professional organizations, the Albany Patroons and Legends (CBA), the Albany Buzz (World Team Tennis) and the Albany Empire (AFL).
Dr. Flik served as team orthopedic surgeon for The Albany Empire, Albany Patroons and New York Buzz, and currently serves for the Albany Academies, and Blackwatch Premier Soccer Club. In addition, Dr. Flik is the author of over a dozen journal manuscripts, orthopaedic textbook chapters, and technique papers that review various topics in sports medicine. He reviews publications for the American Journal of Sports Medicine, and the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Dr. Flik has trained and taught many residents and fellows during his career. Dr. Flik is a member of the American Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and the New England Shoulder and Elbow Society. Dr. Flik is the Medical Director of OrthoNY Ambulatory Surgery Center-Albany. He is also a member of the OrthoNY Executive Committee.
Dr. Flik enjoys spending time with his wife and four children. He likes to travel, run, ski, and play hockey, tennis, and golf.
Additional Information on Kyle Flik, MD
Dr. Jason Levy
Dr. Levy is the director of the Advanced Performance and Rehabilitation Center and is one of the area’s most innovative Chiropractic Sports Physicians. Dr. Jason Levy was voted 2011 Sports Chiropractor of the Year by the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors Sports Council. He has been in practice since 1995 serving patients in New Jersey and specialty cases up and down the east coast. Dr. Levy attended the University of Delaware and went on to do his graduate work at Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, TX. In 2003, he completed a 125 hour course on Chiropractic Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness and received the post-graduate distinction of a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician by the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (ACBSP). Dr. Levy continues to attend postgraduate programs and seminars to stay informed of the latest advances in care. Dr. Levy is the team chiropractor for the New York Jets (NFL), the New York Red Bulls (MLS) and the New Jersey Devils (NHL). He is certified in Active Release Technique® (ART), a patented soft tissue system that uses active motion and massage technique to treat muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. He is also a Certified Kinesio Taping® Practitioner (CKTP). You will find that Dr. Levy is unlike any doctor you may have worked with in the past. Dr. Levy takes time to assess and establish a clear understanding of each patient’s condition and goals then incorporates the most modern techniques available to restore the patient’s health.
Additional Information on Jason Levy, DC, CCSP, ART, CKTP
Dr. Jessica Merker-Levy
Jessica Merker-Levy, DPM is a board certified Podiatrist who specializes in sports medicine, biomechanics, gait analysis, custom molded orthotics and the treatment of various foot and ankle pathology.
After graduating Binghamton University, Dr. Merker-Levy attended Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine where she was elected to the Pi Delta National Honor Society and the Stirling Harford Anatomic National Honor Society. She completed a three year surgical residency at Hoboken University Medical Center, formerly known as Bon Secours and Canterbury Partnership for Care. During her training, she served as chief resident and received extensive experience treating the entire spectrum of foot and ankle conditions.
Dr. Merker-Levy has been the Team Podiatrist for the New York Red Bulls (Major League Soccer) since 2012. She is also a consultant for the New Jersey Devils (National Hockey League).
After graduating Binghamton University, Dr. Merker-Levy attended Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine where she was elected to the Pi Delta National Honor Society and the Stirling Harford Anatomic National Honor Society. She completed a three year surgical residency at Hoboken University Medical Center, formerly known as Bon Secours and Canterbury Partnership for Care. During her training, she served as chief resident and received extensive experience treating the entire spectrum of foot and ankle conditions.
Dr. Merker-Levy has been the Team Podiatrist for the New York Red Bulls (Major League Soccer) since 2012. She is also a consultant for the New Jersey Devils (National Hockey League).
Dr. Shane Nho
Dr. Shane Nho is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive and reconstructive surgery for the hip, knee, and shoulder at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush in Chicago area. He was born and raised in Chicago playing for the Chicago Young Americans. He continued his hockey playing career at the Hotchkiss School and Northwestern University.
After his undergraduate studies at Northwestern University, Dr. Nho continued his medical training at Rush Medical College. He completed his surgical internship at New York Presbyterian Hospital of Weill Cornell Medical College and a residency in orthopedic surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. He returned to the Chicago area to complete a fellowship in sports medicine at Rush University Medical Center. He was the recipient of the Herodicus Society Traveling Fellowship and has trained with hip arthroscopists and hip joint preservation surgeons from the United States and Switzerland. He has a specific interest in the arthroscopic treatment of athletic hip injuries, hip joint preservation surgery for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS), hip labral repairs, shoulder instability, rotator cuff repair, and knee arthroscopy.
In additional to a busy clinical practice at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush, he is an Associate Professor and Head of the Young Adult Hip Surgery Section in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center. He is the Assistant Program Director for the Division of Sports Medicine and trains orthopedic surgery residents and fellows. Dr. Nho has been actively involved in research throughout his medical career and has published numerous scientific and clinical articles in the area of hip, shoulder, and knee reconstruction presented at national and international meetings. He is head of the Hip Study Group at Rush which is a multidisciplinary group of clinicians and scientists to conduct research directed at studying hip joint preservation and clinical outcomes after hip surgery.
Dr. Nho is the head team physician for the Chicago Steel (USHL). He also serves as team physician for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Fire. He also takes care of many college athletes at DePaul University, Roosevelt University, and other colleges in the midwest region. He is also a consultant for the Joffrey Ballet. Dr. Nho serves as NHL/NHLPA Second Medical Opinion Physician.
Dr. Nho lives in Chicago with his family and two young boys who are just learning to skate and playing hockey soon!
Additional Information on Shane Nho, MD
After his undergraduate studies at Northwestern University, Dr. Nho continued his medical training at Rush Medical College. He completed his surgical internship at New York Presbyterian Hospital of Weill Cornell Medical College and a residency in orthopedic surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. He returned to the Chicago area to complete a fellowship in sports medicine at Rush University Medical Center. He was the recipient of the Herodicus Society Traveling Fellowship and has trained with hip arthroscopists and hip joint preservation surgeons from the United States and Switzerland. He has a specific interest in the arthroscopic treatment of athletic hip injuries, hip joint preservation surgery for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS), hip labral repairs, shoulder instability, rotator cuff repair, and knee arthroscopy.
In additional to a busy clinical practice at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush, he is an Associate Professor and Head of the Young Adult Hip Surgery Section in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center. He is the Assistant Program Director for the Division of Sports Medicine and trains orthopedic surgery residents and fellows. Dr. Nho has been actively involved in research throughout his medical career and has published numerous scientific and clinical articles in the area of hip, shoulder, and knee reconstruction presented at national and international meetings. He is head of the Hip Study Group at Rush which is a multidisciplinary group of clinicians and scientists to conduct research directed at studying hip joint preservation and clinical outcomes after hip surgery.
Dr. Nho is the head team physician for the Chicago Steel (USHL). He also serves as team physician for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Fire. He also takes care of many college athletes at DePaul University, Roosevelt University, and other colleges in the midwest region. He is also a consultant for the Joffrey Ballet. Dr. Nho serves as NHL/NHLPA Second Medical Opinion Physician.
Dr. Nho lives in Chicago with his family and two young boys who are just learning to skate and playing hockey soon!
Additional Information on Shane Nho, MD
Dr. Anthony Scillia
Anthony J. Scillia M.D. is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon with subspecialty certification in adult and pediatric sports medicine. He was trained at Dr. James Andrews’ prestigious fellowship, The American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Scillia returned to New Jersey, where he played ice hockey at Delbarton High School, to be the Director of Joint Preservation at the New Jersey Orthopaedic Institute. Dr. Scillia specializes in cartilage and ligament repair in the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee. He serves as a team physician for Seton Hall University, Montclair State University, the New Jersey Jackals, sixteen area high schools, and is the hip consultant for the New Jersey Devils.
He is an associate professor at Seton Hall University having published over 50 peer reviewed journal articles and given over 100 sports medicine lectures. Dr. Scillia is a board member and course chairman for the New Jersey Orthopaedic Society, on the board of councilors for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, associate master instructor for the Arthroscopy Association of North America, reviewer for the Journal of Knee Surgery, assistant program director for St. Joseph’s University Medical center, and a New Jersey Top Doctor.
Additional Information on Anthony Scillia, MD
He is an associate professor at Seton Hall University having published over 50 peer reviewed journal articles and given over 100 sports medicine lectures. Dr. Scillia is a board member and course chairman for the New Jersey Orthopaedic Society, on the board of councilors for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, associate master instructor for the Arthroscopy Association of North America, reviewer for the Journal of Knee Surgery, assistant program director for St. Joseph’s University Medical center, and a New Jersey Top Doctor.
Additional Information on Anthony Scillia, MD
Dr. Michael Shindle
Michael K. Shindle, MD, has expertise in sports medicine-related injuries of the shoulder and knee, ankle and elbow. His training and experience allow him to provide comprehensive care for athletes, including those who participate in professional, collegiate, high school and recreational sports. He graduated with honors from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and then completed his orthopaedic training and Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery Fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Dr. Shindle has been a Team Physician for USA Hockey since 2011. Currently, he is on the safety and protective equipment committee for USA Hockey and is the player safety coordinator for the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA). Dr. Shindle was one of the Team USA physicians for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto, Canada. He is former Head Team Physician for the International Ice Hockey (IIHF) 2015 World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia, the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada and the 2011 Men’s National Select Hockey Team that competed at the Deutschland Cup in Munich, Germany.
Dr. Shindle specializes in advanced arthroscopic and minimally invasive surgery, ligament reconstruction and cartilage restoration procedures as well as fracture care and tendon repair. In addition, Dr. Shindle has expertise in nonsurgical treatment for common overuse and arthritic conditions.
Dr. Shindle is a native of Madison, New Jersey. He was a former ice hockey captain for Madison High School and the University of Delaware. When he is not working with patients, Dr. Shindle enjoys playing and coaching ice hockey. He is a Level 5 USA Hockey certified coach and has been an Assistant coach for the Madison High School Varsity Ice Hockey Team, and Graduate Assistant Coach for the University of Delaware Ice Hockey Team.
Dr. Shindle enjoys developing injury prevention programs as well as trying to maximize on and off ice conditioning programs for hockey players. He has received funding from the Johnson and Johnson Safe Kids Youth Sports Safety Program and has held several events at Mennen Arena with current and former NJ Devils players educating parents and youth hockey players to raise awareness of common hockey injuries and strategies for prevention.
Additional Information on Michael Shindle, MD
Dr. Shindle has been a Team Physician for USA Hockey since 2011. Currently, he is on the safety and protective equipment committee for USA Hockey and is the player safety coordinator for the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA). Dr. Shindle was one of the Team USA physicians for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto, Canada. He is former Head Team Physician for the International Ice Hockey (IIHF) 2015 World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia, the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada and the 2011 Men’s National Select Hockey Team that competed at the Deutschland Cup in Munich, Germany.
Dr. Shindle specializes in advanced arthroscopic and minimally invasive surgery, ligament reconstruction and cartilage restoration procedures as well as fracture care and tendon repair. In addition, Dr. Shindle has expertise in nonsurgical treatment for common overuse and arthritic conditions.
Dr. Shindle is a native of Madison, New Jersey. He was a former ice hockey captain for Madison High School and the University of Delaware. When he is not working with patients, Dr. Shindle enjoys playing and coaching ice hockey. He is a Level 5 USA Hockey certified coach and has been an Assistant coach for the Madison High School Varsity Ice Hockey Team, and Graduate Assistant Coach for the University of Delaware Ice Hockey Team.
Dr. Shindle enjoys developing injury prevention programs as well as trying to maximize on and off ice conditioning programs for hockey players. He has received funding from the Johnson and Johnson Safe Kids Youth Sports Safety Program and has held several events at Mennen Arena with current and former NJ Devils players educating parents and youth hockey players to raise awareness of common hockey injuries and strategies for prevention.
Additional Information on Michael Shindle, MD
Dr. Oscar Vazquez
Dr. Oscar Vazquez, M.D. is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon with subspecialty certification in Orthopedic Sports Medicine. He is the Chairman of the Orthopedics at Hackensack University Medical Center at Mountainside. He is a clinical professor at the Hackensack University School of Medicine at Seton Hall, a board member of the New Jersey Orthopedic Society, and a senior partner at Active Orthopedics & Sports Medicine LLC. He completed his undergraduate education at Cornell University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Neurobiology and Behavior and was awarded his Doctor of Medicine in 2003 from the prestigious Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
During his Orthopedic Sports Medicine fellowship, Dr. Vazquez served as the team physician for many of the University of Southern California’s collegiate teams. Currently he is the head team physician for Stevens Institute of Technology, Felician University, and St. Thomas Aquinas College as well as several New Jersey high schools. He also serves as a ring side doctor for USA boxing and golden gloves.
Dr. Vazquez continues to personally participate in sports. He is an active member of the Hoboken FC soccer club, playing for the competitive over 30 club. He also continues to play tennis and enjoys running when time allows. He has completed the last 4 New York City Marathons.
Oscar Vazquez, MD has particular proficiency in advanced arthroscopic procedures including the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee. In addition to fellowship training in orthopedic sports medicine, he also completed advanced training in shoulder and elbow surgery including trauma, ligament reconstruction, and arthroplasty including revision. He also has training in the latest techniques of hip preservation using arthroscopic techniques such as labral repair and impingement correction surgery.
Like all the members of the Physician Board at Black Bear, Dr Vazquez is dedicated to the care of all athletes from novice to professional. He looks forward to helping Black Bear provide the best and safest experience for everyone who attends the rinks.
Additional Information on Oscar Vazquez, MD
During his Orthopedic Sports Medicine fellowship, Dr. Vazquez served as the team physician for many of the University of Southern California’s collegiate teams. Currently he is the head team physician for Stevens Institute of Technology, Felician University, and St. Thomas Aquinas College as well as several New Jersey high schools. He also serves as a ring side doctor for USA boxing and golden gloves.
Dr. Vazquez continues to personally participate in sports. He is an active member of the Hoboken FC soccer club, playing for the competitive over 30 club. He also continues to play tennis and enjoys running when time allows. He has completed the last 4 New York City Marathons.
Oscar Vazquez, MD has particular proficiency in advanced arthroscopic procedures including the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee. In addition to fellowship training in orthopedic sports medicine, he also completed advanced training in shoulder and elbow surgery including trauma, ligament reconstruction, and arthroplasty including revision. He also has training in the latest techniques of hip preservation using arthroscopic techniques such as labral repair and impingement correction surgery.
Like all the members of the Physician Board at Black Bear, Dr Vazquez is dedicated to the care of all athletes from novice to professional. He looks forward to helping Black Bear provide the best and safest experience for everyone who attends the rinks.
Additional Information on Oscar Vazquez, MD
Dr. Francis Wang
Dr. Wang has been with Harvard Athletics as a Team Physician since 2000, and has served as the Head Team Physician since 2010. He is a co-founder of the Harvard Athlete Initiative, which is a research platform designed to do long-term studies on student athletes, with special focus on clinical interests in sports concussion and sports cardiology. From this research, he has been an author in over twenty articles in peer-reviewed journals.
He is a 1988 graduate of Dartmouth College where he majored in Art History, and graduated from Tufts Medical School in 1992. He completed his internal medicine residency at the Mount Auburn Hospital. He is a staff internist at Harvard University Health Services, and is on the medical staffs of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Brigham and Women's Hospital. He is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a Team Physician for the Boston Red Sox since 2013.. He founded the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program for Harvard University, serves as the AED Medical Director overseeing over 300 AEDs on the Harvard campus.
Dr. Wang lives in Newton, Mass., with his wife, four children, and two dogs.
He is a 1988 graduate of Dartmouth College where he majored in Art History, and graduated from Tufts Medical School in 1992. He completed his internal medicine residency at the Mount Auburn Hospital. He is a staff internist at Harvard University Health Services, and is on the medical staffs of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Brigham and Women's Hospital. He is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a Team Physician for the Boston Red Sox since 2013.. He founded the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program for Harvard University, serves as the AED Medical Director overseeing over 300 AEDs on the Harvard campus.
Dr. Wang lives in Newton, Mass., with his wife, four children, and two dogs.
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