Fellowship

Fellowship in Spine and Sports Medicine: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY

Medical School

Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY

Residency

Residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: New York Presbyterian Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, New York, NY

College

Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

• American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Certification

Memberships

• American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• American Board of Family Medicine, Sports Medicine
• American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• American Medical Association, 2003-Present
• New York Society of PM&R Legislative Council, 2011–Present
• New York Society of PM&R President of Resident Division, 2010–2011
• New York Society of PM&R Vice President of Resident Division, 2009–2010
• New York Society of PM&R Members at Large, 2008–2009

Team Physician Responsibilities

• St. Peter’s College, Team Physician, 2008–2012

• Castle Connolly Top Doctor, 2020-Present
• Castle Connolly Top Doctor in NY Metro Area, 2020-Present
• Greenwich Magazine, Top Doctor in Fairfield County, 2020-Present
• New Canaan/Darien Magazine, Top Doctor in Fairfield County, 2020-Present
• Stamford Magazine, Top Doctor in Fairfield County, 2020-Present
• Westport Magazine, Top Doctor in Fairfield County, 2020-Present
• Outstanding Service and Hard Work Award, Medical Student Workshop. New York Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2011
• Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award to the Specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. New York Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2009-2010

• Why Do Steroid Injections Relieve Pain?

Published Research

• 2011 Physical Examination of the Foot and Ankle. Tamar Kessel MD, Gregory Lutz, MD, Elizabeth Manejias MD, Joshua Dines MD, Hospital for Special Surgery. This chapter reviews the physical examination of the foot and ankle, to be published in a sports medicine book by Lippincott, Williams & Wilkin.
• 2011 Spinal Infections: Management Recommendations for Physiatrists. Tamar Kessel MD, Gregory Lutz, MD, Richard Herzog MD, Barry Brause MD, Matthew Cunningham MD PhD, Hospital for Special Surgery. This article reviews the pathophysiology of infectious spondylodiscitis and spinal epidural abscess, summarizes the most recent literature, and reveals a systematic approach to the prompt diagnosis and treatment of spinal infections. Will submit to the Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
• 2011 | Lumbar Intradiscal Platelet Rich Plasma: A Prospective, Double-blinded, Randomized Controlled Study. Gregory Lutz MD, Christopher Lutz MD, Jennifer Solomon MD, Vijay Vad MD, Jeffrey Radecki MD, Tamar Kessel MD, Hospital for Special Surgery. This randomized, controlled, prospective study will investigate the efficacy of platelet rich plasma in the treatment of chronic axial low back pain in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc disease. Currently enrolling patients.
• 2011 | Efficacy Of Euflexxa Versus Corticosteroids In The Treatment Of Hip Osteoarthritis. Tamar Kessel MD, Jennifer Solomon MD, Peter Moley MD, Hospital for Special Surgery. This randomized, controlled, prospective study will investigate the efficacy of Euflexxa versus corticosteroids in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis. Currently awaiting IRB approval.
• 2011 | Efficacy Of Heel Lifts To Treat Knee Osteoarthritis In Patients With Leg Length Discrepancy. Tamar Kessel MD, Jennifer Solomon MD, Hospital for Special Surgery. This study will look at the use of heel lifts to treat knee osteoarthritis in patients found to have a significant leg length discrepancy. Currently awaiting IRB approval.
• 2010 | Muscle Work and Exercises. Antonio Cocchiarella MD, Tamar Kessel MD, New York Presbyterian Hospital of Columbia and Cornell. A review article on the basic physiology and broad benefits of exercise. Accepted to be published December 2011 in The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine.
• 2009 | Visual Deficits And Cognitive Impairments As The Presenting Symptoms Of An Adolescent With Mitochondrial Myopathy, Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, And Stroke (MELAS Syndrome): A Case Report. Tamar Kessel MD, Chi-Chang Lin MD, New York Presbyterian Hospital of Columbia and Cornell. This case demonstrates that multiple extensive strokes in MELAS may present with more visual spatial and cognitive deficits than strength or sensory deficits.
• 2008 | Subclavian Steal Syndrome and Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome, A Case Report. Tamar Kessel, MD, Michael Stubblefield, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. This case demonstrates a possible causal link between radiation fibrosis syndrome and subclavian steel syndrome.
• Summer, 2004 | Summer Research Fellow. Joan W. Berman, PhD, Departments of Pathology and Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Examined the role of tight junction proteins in human aortic smooth muscle cells, and in the progression from stable to unstable plaques in human atherosclerosis.
• Summer, 2002 | Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Joan W. Berman, PhD, Departments of Pathology and Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Characterized the expression of hepatocyte growth factor in human atherosclerotic plaques, and examined the mechanism of hepatocyte growth factor induced smooth muscle cell migration.
• Summer, 2001 | Trauma Coordinator. Thomas Robb, D.O., Chief of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, St. Barnabas Hospital, Department of Surgery. Conducted a triage assessment to document and pinpoint weaknesses of the trauma center.
• Summer, 2000 | Trauma Coordinator. Thomas Robb, D.O., Chief of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, St. Barnabas Hospital, Department of Surgery. Conducted a study that determined prevalence of bicycle helmet use in the Bronx, and managed a bicycle helmet program.
• Antonio Cocchiarella MD, Tamar Kessel MD. Muscle Work and Exercises. Accepted to be published December 2011 in The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine.
• Tamar Kessel MD, Michael D. Stubblefield MD. “Subclavian Steal Syndrome and Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome: A Case Report.” American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2010 71sr Annual Assembly, Poster Presentation, Seattle Washington.
• Tamar Kessel MD, Chi-Chang Lin MD. “Visual Deficits And Cognitive Impairments As The Presenting Symptoms Of An Adolescent With Mitochondrial Myopathy, Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, And Stroke (MELAS Syndrome): A Case Report.” American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2009 70th Annual Assembly, Poster Presentation, Austin Texas.
• A. Kumar MD, M. Shaikh MD, M. Sharma MD, T. Kessel MD, S. Jesmajian MD. “Left Bundle Branch Block Masks Hyperkalemia – A Myth.” New York Chapter American College of Physicians 2008 Downstate Scientific Meeting, Poster Presentation.
• Harry Ma, Tina M. Calderon, Tamar Kessel, Anthony W. Ashton, and Joan W. Berman. Mechanisms of Hepatocyte Growth Factor–Mediated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration. Circulation Research 93(11): 1066-1073, 2003.
• Tamar Kessel, Harry Ma, Tina M. Calderon, Stephen M. Factor, and Joan W. Berman. “The Role of Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Atherosclerosis.” 2002 Albert Einstein College of Medicine Summer Undergraduate Research Program Poster Session.

Academic Presentations

• May 2011 | Nutritional Deficiency and Excess In Neuromuscular Syndromes. Neurological Institute of Columbia University Medical Center, Grand Rounds.
• January 2011 | A Large-Scale Chemical Screen For Regulators Of The Arginase 1 Promoter Identifies The Soy Isoflavone Daidzein As A Clinically
• Approved Small Molecule That Can Promote Neuronal Protection Or Regeneration Via A CAMP-Independent Pathway. Weill Cornell Medical Center, Journal Club.
• November 2010 | Subclavian Steal Syndrome and Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome: A Case Report. American Academy of Physical Medicine and
• Rehabilitation 71sr Annual Assembly, Poster Presentation, Seattle Washington.
• August 2010 | Brain Development And The Role Of Experience In The Early Years. Blythedale Children’s Hospital, Journal Club.
• July 2010 | Spina Bifida (Myelodysplasia): A Review. Blythedale Children’s Hospital, Grand Rounds.
• February 2010 | Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection For Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy. Columbia University Medical Center, Journal Club.
• January 2010 | Functional Anatomy of the Foot and Ankle. Columbia University Medical Center, Grand Rounds.
• November 2009 | Mechanisms of Motor Recovery Post Stroke. Weill Cornell Medical Center.
• October 2009 | Visual Deficits And Cognitive Impairments As The Presenting Symptoms Of An Adolescent With Mitochondrial Myopathy, Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, And Stroke (MELAS Syndrome): A Case Report. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 70th Annual Assembly, Poster Presentation, Austin Texas.
• October 2009 | Multiple Sclerosis. Weill Cornell Medical Center.
• September 2009 | Scapular Winging. Hospital for Special Surgery, Grand Rounds.
• August 2009 | Impingement Syndrome and Rotator Cuff Tear. Hospital for Special Surgery.
• August 2009 | Subclavian Steal Syndrome and Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Grand Rounds.
• April 2009 | Feasibility of Gait Training for Acute Stroke Patients Using Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation (FNS) With Implanted Electrodes. Columbia University Medical Center, Journal Club.
• February 2009 | Functional Anatomy of the Brain. Weill Cornell Medical Center, Grand Rounds