After-Hours Urgent Ortho Care is now available in Wilton, Monday to Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturdays from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. Walk-ins welcome.

Melissa LaRusso, DO

Specialties
Rheumatology
Located In

Greenwich, Stamford

About

Melissa LaRusso, DO is a board-certified Rheumatologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases with a particular interest in inflammatory arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Dr. LaRusso sees patients at the ONS offices in Greenwich and Stamford.

Dr. LaRusso graduated from St. John’s University in Jamaica, NY, with a BS in Pharmacy (Magna Cum Laude). She earned her doctoral degree of osteopathic medicine at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, NY and practiced her residency in Internal Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY. Dr. LaRusso completed her Rheumatology Fellowship at North Shore-LIJ Health System in Manhasset, NY.

Dr. LaRusso’s interest in rheumatology began in medical school following a rotation in the specialty. Using the newest medications approved to treat specific pathways, Dr. LaRusso works with her patients to develop the best treatment plan that can achieve a patient’s lifestyle goals. She is also a 2023 Castle Connolly Top Doctor.

Aetna
  • Commercial Plans (Including APCN Plus, We do not accept regular APCN)
  • Managed Medicare
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of CT
  • Commercial and Exchange
  • Managed Medicare
Blue Cross Blue Shield (Plans Outside CT)
  • Cards with the “PPO” inside the suitcase logo
CarePartners of Connecticut
  • Managed Medicare (HMO/PPO)
Cigna
  • Commercial, MetroNY, and LocalPlus
  • Cigna+Oscar, Cigna+MVP (CT Locations Only)
ConnectiCare
  • Commercial and Exchange (Except “Value” Network)
  • Managed Medicare
Connecticut Medicaid
Connecticut State Workers’ Compensation
EmblemHealth
  • Emblem Commercial and Exchange (Except for Millennium and Enhanced Care Prime Networks)
  • Managed Medicare (VIP Prime, Bold, Reserve)
Harvard Pilgrim
  • Through United Shared Services – ONS Harrison location only.
Medicare (Including Railroad Medicare)
Oxford
  • Liberty and Freedom Plans
UHC/NYSHIP/NY Government Empire Plan
United Healthcare
  • All Commercial Plans (Except Indemnity and Compass)
  • Managed Medicare

Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists (ONS) accepts most major insurance plans. Please see the list of accepted insurance plans above and confirm that ONS participates with your plan prior to scheduling an appointment. Certain insurance plans are limited to specific regions and physicians. If you have additional questions, please call our offices at (203) 869-1145 ext. 279 and our team will be happy to provide additional information.

Fellowship

Fellowship in Rheumatology, North Shore-LIJ Health System, Manhasset, NY

Medical School

DO, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY

Residency

Residency in Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY

College

BS in Pharmacy (Magna Cum Laude) St. Johns University, Jamaica NY

  • American Board of Internal Medicine: Internal Medicine Certification
  • American Board of Internal Medicine: Rheumatology Certification

  • American Board of Internal Medicine

  • Castle Connolly Top Doctor, 2022-Present

Published Research
  • A Case of Docetaxel Induced Myositis and Review of the Literature. Perel-Winkler A,Belokovskaya,R, LaRusso M, et al. Case Reports in Rheumatology 2015. Article ID 795242
  • Management of CAPS with Thrombocytopenia with Plasma Apheresis and Cyclophosphamide Boctor F, Horowitz D, LaRusso M, et al. Journal of Clinical Apheresis 2011 (26): 86-87.
  • Staphylococcus hominis native mitral valve bacterial endocarditis in a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Cunha BA, Esrick MD, LaRusso M. Heart Lung 2007 Sept-Oct: (36)5: 380-382.
Poster Presentations
  • Marder RL, Ziglar E, Sanders E, LaRusso M, Tseng J. Performance related neuromuscular injury and treatment in vocational and amateur musician: Results from the Long Island Muscian’s Survey (LIMS). Accepted for presentation at the Performing Arts Medicine Association Meeting, July 2012
  • Barilla-LaBarca ML, Marder RL, Ziglar E, Sanders E, LaRusso M, Tsang J. Erogonomic devices are underutilized in both professional and avocational musicians: a report from the Long Island Musician’s Survey (LIMS) database. Accepted for presentation at the Performing Arts Medicine Association Meeting, July 2012
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