Specialists – Light Box

Robert Drazic, DO is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with more than two decades of experience in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, fracture care, and joint reconstruction. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency through the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Peninsula Hospital in New York and earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Drazic has provided comprehensive orthopedic care in both private practice and hospital settings throughout New York and New Jersey. His clinical interests include sports-related injuries, arthritis management, trauma, joint preservation, and surgical treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Drazic has been deeply involved in medical education. He serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery and has held numerous leadership positions within orthopedic residency training programs. He has been recognized twice as “Teacher of the Year” for his dedication to mentoring orthopedic residents and advancing surgical education.

Dr. Drazic remains committed to helping patients regain mobility, reduce pain, and return to their highest level of function through personalized orthopedic care.

Michael McLaren Zilles, MD is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with more than 30 years of experience treating sports injuries, joint disorders, fractures, and degenerative musculoskeletal conditions. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University before receiving his medical degree with honors from George Washington University School of Medicine, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at SUNY Brooklyn Health Science Center and a Sports Medicine Fellowship at Graduate Hospital of Philadelphia.

Throughout his career, Dr. Zilles has practiced in academic medical centers, community hospitals, and private practice settings across the United States. He served as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University and has extensive experience caring for athletes, active adults, and patients requiring complex orthopedic treatment.

Dr. Zilles specializes in arthroscopic surgery, sports medicine, fracture care, joint reconstruction, and general orthopedic surgery. His patient-centered approach focuses on restoring mobility, reducing pain, and helping patients return to their desired level of activity as quickly and safely as possible. He remains board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Aaron Shiu, DO, MS is a board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician and fellowship-trained interventional pain specialist with expertise in advanced spine care, musculoskeletal medicine, and minimally invasive pain management procedures. He completed his medical degree at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, followed by residency training at NYU Langone Medical Center’s prestigious Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine and fellowship training in Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.

Dr. Shiu specializes in the comprehensive treatment of neck pain, back pain, nerve injuries, sports injuries, joint disorders, and chronic pain syndromes. He performs a broad range of advanced procedures, including spinal cord stimulation, radiofrequency ablation, epidural injections, peripheral nerve stimulation, SI joint fusion, regenerative medicine therapies, and minimally invasive lumbar decompression procedures.

As Associate Medical Director of MetroWest Spine Care and Pain Management and founder of New England Interventional Spine and Rehabilitation, Dr. Shiu combines evidence-based medicine with innovative treatment strategies to improve function and quality of life for his patients. He has also contributed extensively to medical research and has authored numerous publications and presentations in the fields of pain management, rehabilitation, and musculoskeletal medicine.

Arien J. Smith, MD, FACS, FAANS is a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in complex spine surgery, minimally invasive spine procedures, traumatic brain injury, and disorders of the brain and nervous system. He is the Founder of the Brain and Spine Institute of New York and New Jersey and serves as an attending neurosurgeon at Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Dr. Smith earned his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine and completed his neurosurgical residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. He subsequently completed advanced fellowship training in spine surgery at the Spine Institute of New York at Beth Israel Medical Center.

A Fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Dr. Smith has authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications and has been recognized for his research contributions in neurotrauma, spinal surgery, and neurophysiology. He has extensive experience treating degenerative spine disorders, spinal instability, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, traumatic injuries, and complex neurosurgical conditions.

Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Smith is committed to providing comprehensive, evidence-based care while utilizing the latest advances in neurosurgical and spinal treatment.

Carlotta Ross-Distin, PA-C is an experienced board-certified Physician Assistant with over a decade of clinical experience in orthopedic surgery, pain management, urgent care, cardiology, and primary care medicine. She earned her Physician Assistant degree from the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education/Harlem Hospital Physician Assistant Program at the City College of New York.

Ms. Ross-Distim specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain conditions. She has extensive experience performing ultrasound-guided procedures, trigger point injections, joint injections, peripheral nerve blocks, and comprehensive orthopedic evaluations. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized treatment plans that optimize patient outcomes and restore function.

Her diverse clinical background includes orthopedic and pain management practice, urgent care medicine, cardiology, and home-based medical care. She is known for her compassionate approach, strong clinical judgment, and commitment to delivering high-quality patient-centered care. Ms. Ross-Distim is certified by the NCCPA and maintains ACLS, BLS, and DEA certifications.

Robert Caldera, PA-C is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, and musculoskeletal care. He earned his Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Rutgers School of Health Professions and has extensive experience treating orthopedic injuries and conditions in both surgical and clinical settings.

Mr. Caldera currently practices orthopedic medicine in New Jersey, where he assists in both inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures, including arthroscopic and open orthopedic surgeries. His clinical expertise includes fracture care, sports injuries, joint disorders, image-guided injections, aspirations, and rehabilitation management. He also has significant experience evaluating and treating patients involved in motor vehicle accidents and workers’ compensation cases.

Prior to becoming a Physician Assistant, Mr. Caldera completed a broad range of clinical rotations including orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, trauma surgery, emergency medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. He remains dedicated to delivering patient-centered care and helping individuals return to active, healthy lifestyles. He is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and holds licenses in both New York and New Jersey.

Daniel Isakov, MS, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, and spine care. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Touro College, graduating Magna Cum Laude and earning multiple Dean’s List honors. Since 2021, Mr. Isakov has served as an orthopedic surgical physician assistant, assisting in primary and revision joint replacement procedures, trauma surgery, sports medicine, hand surgery, and complex spine procedures. He is experienced in robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery, fracture care, joint injections, aspirations, wound management, and both inpatient and outpatient orthopedic care. Fluent in English and Russian, Mr. Isakov is dedicated to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered musculoskeletal care.

Jonathan E. Silver, DMSC, MS, PA-C, is a highly accomplished physician assistant, educator, and orthopedic leader with more than three decades of experience in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, trauma, and academic medicine. He holds a Doctor of Medical Science degree, a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, and completed a postgraduate surgical residency at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. Mr. Silver currently serves as Clinical Director of Orthopedics and Chief Orthopedic Physician Associate at Kings County Hospital and is an Assistant Professor in the Physician Assistant Department at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Throughout his distinguished career, he has held leadership positions at major academic medical centers, including Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Lincoln Hospital, and Stamford Hospital. A recognized educator and advocate for the physician assistant profession, he has served as President of the Academy of Doctoral Physician Assistants and remains actively involved in numerous professional organizations.

Timothy S. Lopresti, PA-C, is an experienced orthopedic physician assistant with extensive expertise in orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, joint replacement, spine care, and workers’ compensation medicine. He earned his Physician Assistant degree and Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Wagner College and has practiced in orthopedic settings throughout New York and New Jersey since 2008. Mr. Lopresti currently serves as Clinical Director at Manhattan Orthopedic Care and Associate Professor at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. His clinical experience includes first assisting in orthopedic, spine, and sports medicine surgeries, managing inpatient and outpatient orthopedic care, performing injections and office-based procedures, and coordinating comprehensive treatment plans for complex musculoskeletal conditions. He is certified by the NCCPA and maintains surgical privileges at several leading orthopedic hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers in the New York metropolitan area.