NEW JERSEY CONCUSSION CENTER - Key Persons
Dr. Adam Ammar completed his Pediatric Neurosurgical Fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2023, and his neurosurgery residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center in New York in 2022. In addition, he completed a Fellowship in Global Neurosurgery at the Harvard Medical School Program in Global Surgery and Social Change in 2021. His goal is to meld the two fields of pediatric and global neurosurgery to the benefit of patients both at home and abroad. He has authored over 25 peer-reviewed papers in addition to five book chapters. His scholarly pursuits lie in global neurosurgical capacity building and social determinants of health. He has obtained additional training in public health, implementation science, and health systems science, and completed the Health Systems Science Leadership Track at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2023, in order to integrate his research into his clinical practice, improve access to care, and develop patient-centric, value-based care that effectively and efficiently improves outcomes.
Dr. Ammar has a wealth of global neurosurgery experience. He was the lead secretariat of the Global Neurosurgery Committee of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies. He is co-founder and assistant editor for the Journal of Global Neurosurgery, a new peer-review journal for global neurosurgery focused on promoting literature from low and middle income countries. He has also led capacity building efforts in Tanzania, Senegal, and Afghanistan, in addition to undertaking multiple surgical trips to Mongolia. He believes in the importance of training the next generation of neurosurgeons around the world, and is involved in mentorship and education of undergraduates, medical students, and residents both here and abroad.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Founder of the Craniofacial Center at Goryeb Children 's Hospital
Dr. Catherine Mazzola is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons and the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery. Dr. Mazzola completed her Pediatric Neurosurgical Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh in 2002 and did her neurosurgery residency at New Jersey Medical School, under the supervision of Dr. Peter Carmel, the President of the AMA in 2011-2012. Dr. Mazzola served on the Executive Committee of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) and is an active member of the Executive Committee of the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies (CSNS). She is the Chair of the Medicolegal Committee of CSNS and is a member of the Ethics Committee of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Joint Guidelines Committee of the AANS/CNS. Her special interests include hydrocephalus, traumatic brain injury and concussion, pediatric brain and spine tumors, craniofacial surgery, plagiocephaly, torticollis, Chiari malformation, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, spine deformity, epilepsy surgery and the management of movement disorders such as dystonia and spasticity. Dr. Mazzola published several peer reviewed articles and presented at many national neuroscience meetings. Dr. Mazzola is involved in mentorship, training and education of pre-medical undergraduates, medical school students, and residents.
Dr. Catherine Mazzola is the founder of the Craniofacial Center at Goryeb Children's Hospital, the Pediatric Brain and Spine Tumor Center (now called GNOP) and the Spasticity and Gait Disorder Center of Goryeb Children's Hospital. She has been the Director of the Division of Pediatric Neurological Surgery since 2005. Dr. Mazzola serves Morristown Medical Center on the Operating Room Committee and she is a Member-at-Large of the Morris County Medical Society Executive Board.
Dr. Catherine Mazzola has gone on neurosurgical missionary trips to Kenya and is currently planning a mission trip to Cebu, Philippines, for pediatric neurosurgery outreach.
Dr. Catherine Mazzola serves on the Bergen County Republican Organization County Committee and is a member of Most Blessed Sacrament, where she taught CCD for four years. Dr. Mazzola grew up in Queens, NY and currently lives with her husband and five children in northern New Jersey. She is the founder, President and CEO of four LLC's.
Job Titles:
- Pediatric Neurologist Specialists
Dr. Jeffrey Kornitzer is an attending Child Neurologist at New Jersey Pediatric Neuroscience Institute (NJPNI). He also is affiliated with St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in New Jersey and an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School. Dr. Kornitzer obtained his Bachelor's degree in Biology at The College of New Jersey as part of a highly competitive 7-year Bachelors/MD program. He completed his medical degree at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. He stayed on to complete a residency in Pediatrics at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. Dr. Kornitzer then completed a fellowship in Child Neurology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. While in fellowship, Dr. Kornitzer was awarded the prestigious Golden Apple award in teaching. He was also selected for induction into the esteemed Arnold P. Gold Foundation.
Dr. Kornitzer sees children and adolescents with a variety of neurological conditions. He specializes in neurodevelopmental conditions (such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorders), tics, seizures, headaches, concussions, and autonomic disorders (such as fainting/syncope). His emphasis is on a thorough workup using the latest technology to get to the root causes of the symptoms and then multidisciplinary approaches to treat the whole child. His neurologic research has resulted in publication of over a dozen peer-reviewed articles and numerous scientific articles and abstracts. His ADHD research has even been featured on Neurology Advisor and on the ADHD online magazine, ADDitude. Dr. Kornitzer also co-authored five chapters for McGraw-Hill's Neurology Board Review book and authored the chapter on Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the definitive book for parents of children with autism, Navigating the Medical Maze.
Dr. John J. Collins is an experienced, academic pediatric neurosurgeon, certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery. He is a member of the American Society of Pediatric Neurological Surgeons. He earned his bachelor degree at Duke University and his medical degree at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He completed his neurosurgical residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, then served for seven years as a United States Navy neurosurgeon, which included assignment to the hospital ship USNS Mercy. After promotion to Navy Commander, he became the Chief of Neurosurgical Services at the Tripler Military Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. In that position he was called upon to provide tertiary neurosurgical care for civilian children from numerous Pacific Island Trust Territories. That experience inspired him to leave the Navy and complete his advanced fellowship training in pediatric neurosurgery at the University of Utah's Primary Children's Medical Center under Dr. Marion "Jack" Walker.
Dr. Collins comes to NJCC after twenty years of experience in academic pediatric neurosurgery. He was an Assistant Professor at the Children's Hospital of Loma Linda University in Southern California, then was recruited to the West Virginia University Children's Hospital as an Associate Professor where he created the first integrated, multidisciplinary, academic pediatric neurosurgical program the state had ever had. After his thirteen years of service there, he came to Virginia Commonwealth University as a full Professor and Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery where he expanded the pediatric neurosurgical program and integrated it into a multispecialty pediatric neuroscience center.
Dr. Collins has intensely focused on the surgical treatment of brain tumors over his entire neurosurgical career and he has acquired advanced skills in skull base microsurgery, endoscopic cranial surgery and para-fascicular techniques which are protective of interconnecting neural networks during subcortical brain operations. Currently he has a strong academic interest in diffusion tensor imaging of the brain's neural networks and the use of image guided navigation to protect those neuronal pathways during operations. He also focuses on the rapid pace of new discoveries concerning the specific molecular-genetic dysfunctions which cause brain tumors and the newest strategies to treat those tumors at the molecular level.
Using microsurgical and, when needed, laser surgical techniques, Dr. Collins also has considerable experience is the treatment of complex congenital spinal abnormalities including spina bifida, tethered spinal cords, spinal lipomas, spinal tumors, syringomyelia, and Chiari malformations.
His long-standing work at academic medical centers has afforded Dr. Collins a wide breadth of pediatric neurosurgical experience which includes the surgical management of intractable epilepsy, hydrocephalus (endoscopically or with shunts), cerebral cysts, cerebrovascular malformations, neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, craniosynostosis and other cranio-fascial anomalies, spasticity of either cerebral or spinal cause, and traumas to head, brain, spine, spinal cord or peripheral nerves.
Committed to a principle of service wherever there is a need, Dr. Collins has provided missionary pediatric neurosurgical work at the Kajabe Medical Center in Kenya and in
Thailand he has taught basic neurosurgical procedures to missionary surgeons from throughout Southeast Asia. He has also treated children with complex neurosurgical problems brought to Virginia from Central America by the World Pediatric Project organization.
Dr. Collins is married and the father of three daughters. He understands the anxiety it causes whenever a family hears that one of their children needs the attention of a pediatric neurosurgeon. He is compassionate, highly accessible, and is a thoughtful communicator who explains things clearly. He is committed to answering all questions from his patients and their families in full detail and he works diligently for the best treatment outcomes for his patients.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Meet Susanne Ginart, a dedicated Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with 28 years of experience as a nurse and 13 years in the field of neurology. Susanne's passion for nursing started at a young age, and she pursued her dreams by earning her bachelor's in nursing at William Paterson University and then a master's degrees in nursing from Rutgers's University.
Throughout her career, Susanne has worked with children of all ages, providing compassionate care and expert guidance to families dealing with cardiac and neurological conditions. She has years of pediatric ICU experience at NY Presbyterian Hospital and in 2010, she transitioned her career path to neurology at St. Joseph's University Medical Center where she developed a particular interest in concussion and has become an expert in managing the care of children with this condition. She spear-headed the pediatric concussion program by helping to provide Impact neurocognitive testing to local schools and clubs. She has given grand round lectures to her colleagues on concussions.
Susanne has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in diagnosing and treating neurological disorders, from headaches, developmental delays, ADHD, and seizures to more complex conditions like cerebral palsy. Her gentle demeanor and kindheartedness have made her a trusted resource for parents and caregivers, who appreciate her ability to explain complex medical issues in terms they can understand. She was also in charge of organizing/monitoring QI projects to improve patient outcomes. She was also on the family centered care committee to enhance the experience of children and their families during hospitalization and office visits.
With over two decades of experience under her belt, Susanne is a leader in her field and has earned the respect of her peers and colleagues. She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of nurses and has precepted several nurse practitioner students.
In her free time, Susanne enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. She loves Pilates and walking. She is an active member of ANA, NAPNAP, and ANS. She participates in local activities that support her community where she provides support and care to children and families in need.
Mike Ruebenacker specializes in Athletic Training and Concussion. Mike was named the NJCC's Center Coordinator in 2013 and has been with the practice for the past 3 years. He has been working closely with Ice Hockey Rinks and Youth Sports leagues in the Bergen, Passaic, Morris and Essex Counties to develop concussion programs to be implemented among club and travel Ice Hockey programs. He has also implemented numerous Concussion protocols among football programs in New Jersey.
Mike specializes in sports concussion education as well as training. During his free time, Mike enjoys coaching youth sports. He currently is the Head Coach of the 11U Franklin Lakes War Eagle Travel Baseball Team, which were League Champions at the 8U level.