System Director, Neurology
Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders
Northwell Health
Professor, Neurology
Zucker School of Medicine

After graduating Medical School at University of Genoa, Italy, he completed his Neurology residency and Movement Disorders fellowship at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York, where he was elected as “Commonwealth Geriatric Scholar”. After serving as faculty at Mount Sinai, he continued his academic career at NYU School of Medicine, where he established the Fresco Parkinson’s Institute, that he led as Founders’ Professor and Founder Director and CEO. He is currently serving as Professor of Neurology and System Director of Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorders at Northwell Health – Zucker School of Medicine, where he has established the first US dedicated inpatient Parkinson’s rehabilitation and advanced care unit. Dr. Di Rocco’s is passionate about championing patients’ care and quality of life, at all stages of the disease, through novel pharmacological, therapeutic, and social interventions, as he is committed to fighting care inequality. He has been the principal and co-investigator of numerous research studies including NIH and major national and international foundation-sponsored projects. Dr. Di Rocco serves in the Board of Director of the Parkinson’s Foundation and of the Fresco Foundation and Fresco Parkinson’s Institute and he was the past president of the Melvin Yahr International Parkinson’s Foundation.

Professor and Vice Chair Academic Affairs
Director, Research and Clinical Trials
Department, Neurology
Northwell Health
Professor, Neurology
Zucker School of Medicine

Joining Northwell Health in 2017, Ruben I. Kuzniecky, MD is internationally recognized in the fields of epilepsy, epilepsy surgery and neuroimaging. Dr. Kuzniecky has been awarded numerous research grants including one from the National Institutes of Health to organize the Epilepsy Phenome/ Genome Project. Dr. Kuzniecky is widely published, having authored two books, over 300 peer-reviewed publications and 40 book chapters. He was one of the first scientists to identify and prove that mesial temporal sclerosis is identifiable by MRI. Dr. Kuzniecky has three patents for his work related to epilepsy and has several additional patent applications pending.

Early exposure to atypical parkinsonism sparked a deep interest in movement disorders for Dr. Federica Avantaggiato. This passion has shaped her career, driving her to specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease and its long-term complications, as well as conditions such as tremor, parkinsonism, dystonia, and tics. Recently, she expanded her focus by completing a fellowship in neurorehabilitation for movement disorders. Dr. Avantaggiato is especially committed to fostering open communication with patients and their caregivers, recognizing that it is a vital component in achieving optimal treatment outcomes.

Dr. Salman Azhar is a neurologist and Associate Chair of Neurology at Northwell Health, affiliated with Lenox Hill Hospital. He specializes in Neurology and Vascular Neurology, holding the title of Assistant Professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Dr. Azhar has extensive experience building and directing stroke programs in New York City, including at Lenox Hill Hospital.

Anna Bank, MD is the Director of Epilepsy at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Her primary clinical and research interest is the medical and surgical management of drug-resistant focal epilepsy.

Associate Medical Director
Northwell Health Center for EMS
Director, Emergency Department Division of EMS
Staten Island University Hospital
Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine
Zucker School of Medicine

Robert A. Duarte, MD joined the North Shore-LIJ Health System in 1991 and is Director of the Pain Center and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. Dr. Duarte is board certified in neurology, pain medicine and headache medicine and is also a certified acupuncturist. His clinical interests also include traumatic brain injury and concussion.

Dr. Duarte attended Ponce School of Medicine and completed his residency in neurology at Nassau University Medical Center. Post residency Dr. Duarte completed a fellowship in pain/headache management at Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

Dr. Duarte is President Elect of the New York State Pain Society and a member of the American Headache Society and American Academy of Neurology. He also sits on the Admissions Committee for Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine and is board member of the College of Health Professions in Syosset, NY.

Dr. Duarte has written multiple chapters on pain, headache, complementary medicine and traumatic brain injury. He lectures extensively and continues to participate in multiple research projects on pain and headache.

Dr. Giliberto’s approach to Medicine, Neurology and Alzheimer’s disease has always been dual: basic
research and clinical practice. He has worked and collaborated with great scientists, such as Massimo
Tabaton, George Perry, Mark Smith, Pierluigi Gambetti, Antonio Uccelli, Luciano D’Adamio and Peter
Davies. The work with Dr. D’Adamio at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, lead to identify APP processing
modulators, including ITMB2 (BRI2). At the Feinstein Institutes, Dr. Giliberto collaborates with a diverse
range of excellent scientists, expanding the focus of his research to tau, microglia and the immune
response to tau, the interaction between tau and the endothelium, cell cycle and the treatment of tau
pathology with engineered antibodies.

Dr. Giliberto works with patients affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, providing clinical
care and trials, helping them and their families to cope with the disruption that this disease brings to their
lives. As director of the Northwell Behavioral and Cognitive Program, Dr. Giliberto is building a team of
dedicated professionals to create a center of excellence for dementia in the region, with options for
cutting-edge treatments, clinical trials and comprehensive care for patients.

Dr. Giliberto teaches clinical neurology to medical students, Neurology, Medicine and Psychiatry residents
at Hofstra University and North Shore University Hospital, and trains MD/PhD and PhD students in the
laboratory at the Feinstein Institutes.

Dr. Giliberto graduated summa cum laude at the University of Milano Medical School, in Italy, completed
his Neurology residency at the Medical school of Genova, Italy and at North Shore University Hospital,
Northwell-Hofstra. He obtained his PhD in neuroscience from the Medical school of Genova, Italy while
doing research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Daniel Gratch, MD is a board-certified neurologist and attending physician at Northwell Health at the Lenox Hill and Staten Island University Hospitals. He completed medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) honors. He completed neurology residency at NYU Langone School of Medicine (serving as a chief resident in his final year) and a two-year combined research/clinical fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He is an expert in novel immunotherapy treatments for MS and continues to engage in research to move the field forward.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Gratch is the Associate Program Director (APD) for the combined Staten Island / Lenox Hill neurology residency, for which he serves as a mentor, educator, innovator, and advocate. He also is the medical student clerkship site director for Lenox Hill helping to train and educate our future physicians.

Margaret Irwin is the Rehabilitation Clinical Educator at Northwell Health Glen Cove Hospital. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Hartford in 2002 and has over 22 years of clinical experience, primarily within the inpatient acute rehabilitation setting. Throughout her career, Margaret has gained extensive expertise in working with patients who have experienced stroke, brain injury, limb loss, spinal cord injury, and other medically complex conditions.

In 2022, Margaret advanced into the role of Clinical Educator at Northwell Health Glen Cove Hospital, where she focuses on both therapy team members and patient education. She has played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of programs aimed at enhancing patient education, creating diagnosis-specific training modules for team members, and establishing comprehensive orientation pathways for new therapy clinicians. Margaret is also actively involved in a knowledge-to-translation performance improvement project focused on managing Parkinson’s disease patients by standardizing appropriate physical therapy interventions. She is dedicated to fostering a culture of lifelong learning, providing valuable educational opportunities for both patients and staff to ensure the highest quality of care.

Northwell Department of Neurology
Director, Neuroendovascular Surgery and Stroke,
Peconic Bay Medical Center
Associate Director, NeuroEndovascular Surgery, South
Shore University Hospital
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Zucker School of Medicine

With a robust background in psychology and biological sciences, I have committed my career to the understanding and treatment of movement disorders. My academic journey began at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Biological Sciences. This foundational education has been crucial in my approach to patient care, enabling me to address both physiological and psychological dimensions of movement disorders.

I furthered my education with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I acquired essential clinical skills. After graduating in May 2023, I undertook a Primary Care PA-C Residency at the Clement J Zablocki VA Medical Center, which helped solidify my expertise in managing complex medical conditions, particularly movement disorders.

Currently, I work at the Northwell Health Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Center, collaborating with neurologists and interdisciplinary teams to deliver comprehensive care to patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. My role involves conducting thorough patient assessments, including detailed medical histories and neurological examinations, to develop and implement personalized treatment plans. I have gained significant experience in administering and monitoring dopaminergic therapies and adjunctive treatments, ensuring optimal, tailored care for my patients.

Throughout my postgraduate training, I engaged in various rotations that provided a comprehensive understanding of neurology and its relationship with other medical disciplines. My mixed rotation at the VA Medical Center included general neurology, major neurocognitive disorders, and specific movement disorders, reinforcing my appreciation for the complexities of the nervous system and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

As I progress in my career, I remain dedicated to lifelong learning and professional development, recognizing the importance of staying current with research, treatment modalities, and patient management strategies. My goal is to make a meaningful impact on the lives of my patients, helping them navigate the challenges of movement disorders while empowering them to achieve their health goals.

Mara McCrossin graduated from New York University School of Nursing in 2009, and has consistently pursued her passion for neurosciences, starting her career as a bedside nurse on a neuroscience unit and then joining a neuroscience intensive care unit as a Nurse Practitioner. She graduated from Stony Brook University School of nursing with a Master’s degree as an Adult Health Nurse Practitioner in 2017, and has honed her skills in various roles, culminating in her current position at Northwell’s Glen Cove Hospital Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation in Glen Cove, NY where she joined the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders rehabilitation team in 2021. She was promoted to Supervisor of the Advanced Clinical Providers for the Rehabilitation Service Line in 2023. Mara has found immense reward in witnessing the positive impact of rehabilitation on her patients’ lives. This dedication has driven her to become a voice for the Parkinson’s community, presenting her work at national and international conferences, and publications in national journals.

Dr. Priyanka Moondra is a board-certified neurologist and attending physician, bringing her expertise to Northwell Health/Lenox Hill Hospital at the Center for Movement Disorders & Neurological Disorders of Aging in New York, NY. With an unwavering commitment to patient well-being, Dr. Moondra is dedicated to prioritizing compassionate, patient-centered, and multidisciplinary care for individuals navigating a wide spectrum of movement disorders.

Her comprehensive training includes a rigorous neurology residency at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, where she served with distinction as Chief Resident for North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Dr. Moondra developed her skills through a specialized fellowship in movement disorders at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, with a focus on advanced therapeutics for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Driven by the belief that every patient’s journey is unique, Dr. Moondra crafts personalized treatment plans that align with the specific goals of her patients and their caregivers. She is a passionate advocate for her patients and empowers them with the education and tools necessary for confident and active participation in their longitudinal care. Dr. Moondra is proud to offer the newest available therapies to help improve the quality of life of her patients. She adopts a collaborative, multi-system approach to effectively manage progressive and complex neurological disorders.

Dr. Moondra has shared her research at regional and national conferences. Her current interests include diverse forms of parkinsonism, long-term impact of deep brain stimulation and neurorehabilitation, and critical issues of health disparities and equity. She remains deeply invested in medical education and mentorship and works with trainees at all levels.

Dr. Juliann M. Paolicchi is a pediatric neurologist in New York, New York and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Lenox Hill Hospital at Northwell Health and Staten Island University Hospital at Northwell Health. She received her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Juliann M. Paolicchi accepts Aetna, Humana, Cigna, Blue Cross, United Healthcare – see other insurance plans accepted.

Dr. Noah Rosen M.D. FAHS FANA FAAN has been a headache specialist since 2003. He is an Associate Professor in Neurology and Psychiatry at Zucker School of Medicine and is board certified in 4 areas: Neurology, Psychiatry, Pain Management and Headache Medicine. He currently is the Neurology Vice Chair of Academic Affairs at Zucker SOM Northwell Health Medical Center in Great Neck, New York and is the Director of the Northwell Headache Center. Dr. Rosen has previously been a Neurology Clerkship Director and Fellowship Director for Headache Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University as well as the Neurology Residency Director at Northwell Health for over a dozen years. He is the Chair of the Headache Section at the American Academy of Neurology, the cochair of the REACH program of the American Headache Society, sits on the board of the American Headache Society and has sat on the board of the Neurology RRC as well as multiple terms on the board of the UCNS (United Council of Neurologic Subspecialities.).

His major research interests are in Headache Comorbidities including Psychiatric and Psychological Issues, access to subspecialist care and validating educational activities. He has additional interests in using technology to improve healthcare outcomes and empower consumers self determination, national healthcare advocacy issues and medical education.

Dr. Aaron Zelikovich is a neuromuscular physician at Northwell Healths’ Lenox Hill Hospital. His expertise is in the diagnosis and management of genetic and acquired
forms of neuropathy, myopathy, and neuromuscular junction disorders. He
completed his residency in neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine and his
clinical neuromuscular fellowship at University of Pennsylvania. He is actively
involved in the American Academy of Neurology as an editorial board
member and the American Academy of Neuromuscular and
Electrodiagnostic Medicine on the research committee. He is the director of the adult SMA clinic at Lenox Hill Hospital. His clinical interests include the transition from pediatric to adult SMA clinics, gene therapy in SMA, and multi-disciplinary care in adults with SMA.