Team
Tim Pulverenti, PhD
Director of ResearchTim Pulverenti, PhD serves as the Director of Research at the Center for Cognitive Health and New York Brain and Spine. He holds a B.S. in kinesiology from Creighton University (Omaha, NE), a M.Sc. in biomechanics from University of Jyväskylä (Jyväskylä, Finland), and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Edith Cowan University (Perth, Australia). After his Ph.D., Tim joined the City University of New York as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow and Associate Research Scientist working on novel therapies aiming to restore function for individuals with spinal cord injury and stroke. From his research career Tim has published 20+ research articles in scientific journals and has been awarded ~$6M in research funding from federal, state, and private funding organizations. Tim has also done research in the areas of chronic pain and Huntington’s disease.
Juliet Mott
Program CoordinatorJuliet has been working in Neurosurgery with Dr. Abrahams since 2004. She is the Program Coordinator working with the clinicians and patients to develop the best care program catered to their needs including evaluations, computer-based cognitive therapy and occupational therapy.
Mark Herceg, Ph.D.
Neuropsychology, Co-DirectorDr. Mark Herceg is a neuropsychologist who holds a faculty appointment at New York Medical College and the Zucker School of Medicine, Hofstra University. He is a Fellow of the Sports Neuropsychology Society and served on the Executive Board from 2016 – 2020. He served as Commissioner of Mental Health for Westchester County, NY from 2015 – 2017. During his tenure, he chaired a County Concussion Task Force that developed “10 Best Practices for Concussion Management.” In 2015 he was awarded the Founders Award by the Brain Injury Association of NY for his work with brain injured patients. In 2016, BIANYS appointed him co-chair of a new statewide concussion initiative. He authored a chapter on concussion management in the book “In the Arena” published by the NY State Bar Association and was one of 400 international experts invited to participate in the 5th International Consensus on Concussion Conference in Berlin. Dr. Herceg is also a member of the International Neuropsychology Society, and the National Academy of Neuropsychology. He has been a concussion consultant to schools, youth sports, high school, collegiate and professional teams and athletes. In addition to concussions and other more serious brain injuries, Dr. Herceg is experienced in neuropsychological changes due to stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s, other neurological conditions, and learning issues such as ADHD.
John M. Abrahams, M.D.
NeurosurgeryDr. John Abrahams treats disorders of the brain and spine as New York Brain & Spine Surgery (NYBASS) President. He is the author of numerous patents, has authored over 30 publications in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks, and given lectures at many national and local meetings. In addition to being the President of NYBASS, he is also Northern Westchester Hospital’s Co-Director of the Spine Section of the Orthopedic and Spine Institute. In 2009, he founded and now runs the Westchester Neuroscience Research Foundation.
Dr. Abrahams has a background in Biomedical Engineering and been quite active as a biomedical entrepreneur, and has founded numerous biomedical companies including EndoMedix, Osteomedix, and DTX Medical.
Matthew Mariani, O.T.
Occupational TherapyMatt has been a Licensed Occupational Therapist since 1977 and a graduate of Quinnipiac University. He has devoted the advancement of his career through a committed regimen of continued education and private practice affiliations with surgeons in the specialization of hand–wrist trauma and pathology. He has worked under the Chief of Hand Surgery at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center where he was able to enhance his custom splinting and therapy skills. Major attention was given to patients with disease and trauma who required skilled manual therapy, complex custom bracing and splinting. He has vast experience with training, progressing and rehabilitating collegiate and high school athletes individually and in team settings. His primary focus has always been to rehabilitate, restore function and provide education for injury prevention through his vast knowledge base and understanding of Occupational Therapy. He founded and developed Axiom PT into a successful practice and was acquired by Motion PT in 2023.
Angelo Troiano
November 14, 2022
Very professional and thorough with my surgery.
Faith Schwenker
March 22, 2022
Dr. Abraham’s did my surgery and it was a great success. After nearly 8 years of pain, I finally found a doctor who could help me. My sciatica nerve was compressing my L4 and L5 which was giving me pain and a very poor quality of life. Not only does Dr. Abraham’s have a great bedside manner, but also he certainly knows the complexities of the spine. Thank you so much for giving me my life back!!
P.S. I have referred his name to several of my friends and they too have had a successful outcome!!
Kathleen Cully
May 28, 2021
Dr. Abrahams is an extremely compassionate and highly skilled neurosurgeon who, along with Dr. C. Shannon, saved my husband's life by removing a complicated malignant metastatic brain tumor during a very long surgery. In addition, Dr. Abrahams has been my surgeon for several spinal procedures and I trust him with my life.
Kathleen Darcy
February 22, 2021
My experience was great 😊. Dr Abraham was fabulous.
Xavier Masi
February 15, 2021
Dr. Abrahams is the best, very caring and takes time out to listen instead of rushing!!! thanks Doc.. I might have to come see you again. Anthony
Dale
February 15, 2021
😷 Dr Abrahams is THE BEST!
He is the absolute best brain & spine surgeon by far! His group is beyond excellent!
My back & neck had been fractured in an accident, and I made the mistake of seeing a "spine doctor on Tarrytown Road," who did not want to see me again unless I needed more surgery! I was outright denied an appointment, even after this "doctor" performed a lumbar laminectomy on me!!!😡
I was miserable and in excruciating pain. Then everything changed....
🙏THANK GOD I FOUND DR ABRAHAMS! He took all the time he needed with me to come up with a new plan and thoroughly explained the correct surgery I needed. I had a fractured sacrum, lower back S1, right up to L5, needing spinal fusion. I also had cervical herniations. My life changed after Dr Abrahams took care of my surgery, his office still checks up on me to make sure I'm doing well. The office and entire staff is so helpful, friendly and caring. I recommend Dr Abrahams on a regular basis to people I meet that have brain or spine problems. Dr Abrahams is also BRILLIANT. He is the creator of many medical devices that he received patents for. When you go in his office your eyes won't know what to look at first he has so many awards & patents. He's a MUST GO TO doctor! He changed my life, and I am forever grateful to him, Lisa (his personal coordinator), and his entire staff, fellow doctors that are also in group with Dr Abrahams. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM as well as the doctors in practice within his group. You will get the best care by far.😊
Helena Mattis
January 12, 2021
Dr. Abrahams literally saved my life. I went to him back in 2004 in horrible shape after being misdiagnosed by my Primary Care Physician. He went above and beyond in saving my life. I highly recommend him for his skills, ability, his humanity and love he demonstrates for both his patients and his work. Helena Edwards
Farah Rubeo
September 13, 2020
Dr. Abrahams performed back surgery on me 6 years ago . I was 38 yrs old and in excruciating pain, not able to walk for longer longer than 5 minutes, sleeplessness nights and constantly being put on pain medication , including countless rounds of PT. Surgery was my only option to return to the quality of life I had before my injury and I am beyond grateful for Dr. Abrahams and his team. I have been playing softball, exercising , walking my dog and enjoying everything that I have missed for years!
Dr. Abrahams to me Is a lifesaver! The best of the best !