Our Staff
Brooklyn-Born Dr. Savarino spent much of his childhood in Long Island playing baseball, running around the football field, rooting for his favorite teams and training in multiple martial arts disciplines. He graduated with distinction from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology, and continued his study of medicine at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Savarino completed his Family Practice Residency at North Shore University Hospital at Plainview, where he served as Chief Resident in 2007-2008.
Dr. Savarino went on to be a physician in the Orthopedic Department at Nassau University Medical Center, one of the most active Level 1 trauma centers on Long Island. During his time there he worked in several orthopedic clinics, including trauma, pediatric, sports and total joint clinic. He was also a member of the trauma team.
Dr. Savarino continued to pursue his love of the field by completing a Sports Medicine Fellowship at North Shore University Hospital at Plainview. During his fellowship he worked with 2 NCAA Division II colleges and several local high schools, covering multiple sports from the sidelines and treating injured athletes in the training room.
Before joining Regional Orthopedics, Dr. Savarino worked in a dynamic practice outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, where he was a local team physician. Never one to rest his laurels, this bright young physician continues to expand his knowledge and skills with specialized training in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound and Ultrasound Guided Injections.
Michelle was born and raised on Long Island, NY. She left Long Island after high school to attend the University of Michigan, where she earned a B.S. in Movement Science and graduated with distinction. She remained at the University of Michigan after graduation to work with the physical therapy department and University of Michigan athletes. She also worked as a personal trainer and was the exercise consultant and trainer for Ms. Michigan 2001. Michelle Pokrassa then decided to go on to graduate school at UMDNJ, where she received a Masters Degree as a Physician Assistant. During her training at Rutgers University, she elected to work on an elective basis with the athletic department, where she provided medical treatment to the Division 1 athletes, as well as provided sideline medical coverage for the football team. With an interest in further combining her natural interest and acquired knowledge in biomechanics and exercise with her medical training, she went on to complete a one-year postgraduate fellowship program in orthopedic surgery at New York University Hospital for Joint Disease. During her training at NYUHJD, she worked under nationally and internationally recognized authorities in the field of orthopedics.
PA Pokrassa is a full time associate of Regional Orthopedics. She provides clinical consultations to patients, formulating a diagnosis and recommending the most effective treatment options. Treatment may include prescription medication, physical therapy, bracing, casting, bone stimulator application, fracture reduction and injections, all of which will be administered by PA Pokrassa in the office. Michelle performs preoperative evaluations in order to assess risk for certain potential surgical complications and will prescribe treatment directed to minimize any potential problems.
In addition to office-based clinical care, Michelle Pokrassa is also a first assistant in the operating room during surgery. At the completion of the procedure she will close the surgical wound, apply intraoperative pain medications and accompany the patient to the recovery room. As an essential and functioning part of the surgical team, Michelle will also provide clinical care for postsurgical patients in the office.
Ivan Candelaria is the Director of Sports Rehabilitation at Peak Performance Rehabilitation. Ivan received his professional degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training at the University of Connecticut. At UCONN, he was an assistant trainer to the 1999 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship team, and completed an internship with the New Jersey Nets. Ivan has worked with a number of our country’s finest professional athletes who currently play in the NFL, NBA, WNBA and MLS.
He is currently the Director of Sports Performance at Xtreme Fitness, where he focuses his attention to High School and NFL combined training. Ivan has recently enjoyed traveling the country in his role as rehabilitation consultant for a number of elite Division I Universities. His efforts have developed and enhanced performance in hundreds of athletes nationwide. Ivan’s success in the treatment of various injuries is based on his unique approach. He is thorough in dissecting errors in movement which he then corrects with pain-free exercise. Ivan focuses on the elimination of dysfunction that causes pain in addition to treating the painful symptoms. His best work is rehabilitation of the post surgical patient including treatment of the “itis’s”, or chronic inflammations. Over 10 years, Ivan has offered professional rehabilitation in addition to athletic training services to high school and college athletics. Ivan’s philosophy is rehabilitation through comfortable exercise to promote health and prevent injury.
Brooke was born and raised on Long Island and recently moved to Staten Island. She attended University of Delaware where she received her Bachelor Of Science in Exercise Physiology and went on to receive her Masters in Physical Therapy. While earning her Masters, she performed internships in outpatient orthopedics, acute care and pediatric practices. After graduation, Brooke worked at Orthopedic Surgeons of LI, where she focused on post-op rehab and a variety of orthopedic injuries. In her seven years of professional experience, Brooke has worked with patients of all ages and levels of injury. Her early education exercise physiology assists her in being a great source of fitness related rehabilitation.
Chris is a board-certified Doctor of Physical Therapy. Chris specializes in manual therapeutic techniques of the spine and extremities. In 2009, Chris graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science, majoring in Life Sciences with a concentration in Physical Therapy from the New York Institute of Technology. With a passion to help others recover from their physical aliments, Chris continued his education and was accepted to the competitive Doctorate program at NYIT, where he graduated with honors in Physical Therapy in 2011.
