Our Practice

We are a diverse group of neurologists with different practice models and sets of expertise, but we all share a common goal and mission: to provide the best neurological care possible to our patients.

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Meet the Team

Georges Ghacibeh, MD, MSc, MFA, FAAN

Associate Professor of Neurology
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine

Director of Developmental Neurology and Co-Director of Epileptology
Neuroscience Institute, Hackensack University Medical Center

Specialties:
Epilepsy, Sleep Medicine, Cognitive and Developmental Disorders

I have been a neurologist for over twenty years. After completing my Neurology Residency at NYU, where I also served as Chief Resident, I moved to the University of Florida for additional subspecialty training in Epilepsy, Sleep Medicine, and Cognitive Neurology.

Over the course of my career, I have worked in different settings, including pure academia, clinical practice, research, and teaching. My current practice follows a hybrid model. I divide my time between Hackensack University Medical Center and Progressive Neurology.  

At Hackensack University Medical Center, I serve as Associate Professor of Neurology at the School of Medicine and Director of Developmental Neurology and co-Director of Epileptology at the Neuroscience Institute. I teach medical students and residents, and see patients with epilepsy, sleep disorders, and developmental disabilities at the Neurology Clinic. Learn More.

At my private practice, I see children and adults of all ages with various neurological conditions. My main subspecialties include epilepsy, sleep disorders, cognitive disorders, and developmental disabilities, however, over the years, I have developed a skill to deal with complex neurological problems. I use my knowledge in basic neuroscience to analyze the underlying mechanism of disease, understand the source of symptoms, and come up with an individualized treatment plan. I often treat patients with chronic conditions, but sometimes I offer a second opinion especially when the diagnosis and treatment course of a patient are uncertain.  I like to take my time with patients, get to know them personally, and provide them with access to address emerging problems.  

Due to the restrictions and administrative burdens imposed on small private practices by insurance companies, I have made the difficult decision to stop participating in insurance plans. This allows me to spend more time with patients and be more available to respond to their needs. For the cost structure of various clinical services, please contact us.

    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Neurology 

    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Clinical Neurophysiology

    • American Board of Clinical Neurophysiology - Video-EEG Monitoring

    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Sleep Medicine

    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Epilepsy

    • Associate Professor of Neurology - Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine

    • Director of Developmental Neurology - Neuroscience Institute, Hackensack University Medical Center

    • Co-Director of Epileptology - Neuroscience Institute, Hackensack University Medical Center

    • Chief of Neurology - Pascack Valley Medical Center

    • Ghacibeh GA, Fields C. Interictal epileptiform activity and autism. Epilepsy Behav. 2015 Jun;47:158-62. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.02.025. Epub 2015 Apr 3 

    • Ghacibeh GA, Heilman KM. Creative innovation with temporal lobe epilepsy and lobectomy. J Neurol Sci. 2013 Jan 15;324(1-2):45-8

    • Georges A. Ghacibeh, Jeffrey D Smith; Steven Roper, Robin Gilmore, Stephen Eisenschenk. Seizure Recurrence following Epilepsy Surgery: is post-operative EEG helpful? Seizure. 2009 Apr;18(3):193-6. 

    • Georges A. Ghacibeh, Joel I Shenker, Katherine Winter, William J. Triggs, and Kenneth M. Heilman. Dissociation of neglect subtypes with transcranial magnetic stimulation. Neurology 2007 Sep 11;69(11):1122-7.

    • Georges A. Ghacibeh, Ravi Mirpuri, Valeria Drago, Yong Jeong, Kenneth M Heilman, William J Triggs. Ipsilateral Motor Activation during Unimanual and Bimanual Motor Tasks. Clinical Neurophysiology. 2007 Feb;118(2):325-32.

    • Georges A. Ghacibeh, Joel I. Shenker, Brian V Shenal, Basim M. Uthman, and Kenneth M. Heilman. The influence of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on memory. Cogntive and Behavioral Neurology Cogn Behav Neurol. 2006 Sep;19(3):119-122.

    • Georges A. Ghacibeh, Joel I. Shenker, Brian V Shenal, Basim M. Uthman, and Kenneth M. Heilman. Effect of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on creativity and cognitive flexibility. Epilepsy Behav. 2006 Jun;8(4):720-5

    • William J. Triggs, Georges A. Ghacibeh, Utaka Springer, and Dawn Bowers. Lateralized Asymmetry of Facial Motor Evoked Potentials. Neurology. 2005; 65(4):541-4

    • Ghacibeh GA and Heilman KM. Progressive affective aprosodia and prosoplegia. Neurology 2003;60(7),1192-4

    See All

    • Georges A. Ghacibeh. Seizures and Status Epilepticus, in Civetta, Taylor, and Kirby’s Critical Care, 4th Edition. Gabrielli A, Layon J and Yu M, eds, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2007.

    • C.C. Liu, W. Suharitdamrong, W.A. Chaovalitwongse, G.A. Ghacibeh, and P.M. Pardalos. Clustering Neurophysiological Signals to Study Brain Disorders, in W.A. Chaovalitwongse, S. Butenko, P.M. Pardalos, eds, Clustering Challenges in Biological Networks, World Scientific, Singapore, 2008.

    • Georges A. Ghacibeh. Tonic Seizures, in The Educational Kit on Epilepsies, 2nd Edition, C P Panayiotopoulos (Editor), Volume 5, Focal Epilepsies: Seizures, syndromes and management.

    • Georges A. Ghacibeh. Clonic Seizures, in The Educational Kit on Epilepsies, 2nd Edition, C P Panayiotopoulos (Editor), Volume 5, Focal Epilepsies: Seizures, syndromes and management

    • Georges A. Ghacibeh. Hyperkinetic Seizures, in The Educational Kit on Epilepsies, 2nd Edition, C P Panayiotopoulos (Editor), Volume 5, Focal Epilepsies: Seizures, syndromes and management

Robert Connors, MD

Dr. Connors is a neurologist with special expertise in epilepsy and neuromuscular disorders. He received his medical degree from Vanderbilt University, completed neurology residency at New York University, and completed a fellowship in clinical neurophysiology and epilepsy at Columbia University.

Dr. Connors is board certified in Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, and Epilepsy by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He has published multiple peer-reviewed research articles and was awarded a training grant by the Epilepsy Foundation during his fellowship. Dr. Connors serves as director of the division of epilepsy and co-director of the ALS program at Hackensack University Medical Center and is the author of several articles published in peer-reviewed medical journals.  

    • B.A. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

    • M.D. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

    • Neurology Residency: New York University, New York, NY

    • Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Fellowship: Columbia University, New York, NY

    • American Academy of Psychiatry and Neurology - Neurology

    • American Academy of Psychiatry and Neurology - Epilepsy

    • American Academy of Psychiatry and Neurology - Clinical Neurophysiology

    • American Academy of Neurology

    • American Epilepsy Society

    • American Medical Association

  • Clinical Trials:

    • Acceleron. ACE-083. International, multi-center.  Phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of ACE-083 in CMT Disease Types 1 and X.  Role: Co-I 2017-2024.

    • Pharnext. PXT3003-06. Multi-center, randomized double blind placebo-controlled phase 3 study to assess efficacy, safety & tolerability of PXT3003 in CMT1A. Role: Co-I. 2021 – 2024.

    • Phase I Trial of autologous hybrid TREG/Th2 Cell Therapy (RAPA-501) for ALS. Role: Subinvestigator. 2021 – 2022.

    • Healey ALS Platform Trial.  Phase 2 trial for ALS.  Role: Site primary investigator. 2021-present.

    • Expanded Access Trial of Autologous Hybrid TREG/Th2 Cell Therapy (RAPA-501) for ALS. Role: Subinvestigator. 2024 – present.

    Publications:

    • I.L. Hollin, T. Heiman-Patterson, R.D. Connors, et al. Healthcare delivery and financial considerations in ALS clinics: A survey of clinic directors.  Neurology.  Forthcoming.

    • M. Quintana et al. and the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial Study Group.  Design and Statistical Innovations in a Platform Trial for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.  Annals of Neurology.  September; 94(3):547-560.

    • K.M. Ikeda, R.D. Connors, et al. Isoflurane Use in the Treatment of Super-Refractory Status Epilepticus is Associated with Hippocampal Changes on MRI.  Neurocritical Care. December 2016.

    • S.A. Weiss, A. Lemesiou, R. Connors, et al.  Seizure Localization Using Ictal Phase-Locked High Gamma: A Retrospective Surgical Outcome Study.  Neurology, June 2015; 84(23): 2320-28.

    • R.D. Connors, V. Ngan, and J. Howard.  Facial Diplegia and Complete Lateral Gaze Paralysis: The 16 Syndrome.  Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology, March 2013; 33(1):69-70.  

    • M. Winawer, R.D. Connors, and the EPGP Investigators.  Evidence for a Shared Genetic Susceptibility to Migraine and Epilepsy in the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project.  Epilepsia.  February 2013;54(2):288-95.

    Presentations:

    • R.D. Connors, F.P.K. Thomas, F. Gupta.  Successful Treatment of Holmes Tremor Secondary to Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy with Botulinum Toxin A.  American Neurological Association. San Diego, CA, October, 2017. 

    • S.A. Weiss, R.D. Connors, et al.  Resection of Ictal Phase Locked HFOs is Correlated with Outcome Following Epilepsy Surgery.  American Academy of Neurology.  Philadelphia, PA, May, 2014.

    • R.D. Connors, S.A. Weiss, G.P. Banks et al.  Measuring Seizure Propagation Speeds in Humans with Ictal High Frequency Activity.  American Epilepsy Society.  Washington, D.C.  December, 2013.

    • R.D. Connors, K Ikeda, J. Claassen and G.B. Young.  Inhaled Anesthetics for Refractory Status Epilepticus: A Case-Control Study.  American Academy of Neurology.  San Diego, CA, March, 2013.  

    • J.L. Mulcare, R.D. Connors and S. Sathe.  Observations on Progressive Multi-focal Leukoencephalopathy in Congenital HIV Infection.  11th International Symposium on Neurovirology.  New York, NY, June, 2012. 

    • R.D. Connors, J.Y. Fang, P. Hedera, A.S. Rao, N.D. Snyder, T.L. Davis. Use of the Nintendo Wii Remote to Measure Essential Tremor. 12th International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders.  Chicago, IL, 2008. 

    • A. Iones, R.D. Connors, and R. Gilbert.  Blepharospasm, Foot Dystonia and Cerebellar Ataxia associated with Multiple Autoantibodies. 16th International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders. Dublin, Ire, June, 2012.

Pankaj Kakkar, MD

Dr Kakkar is a board-certified neurologist with special interest in stroke and headaches. He completed medical school education at Robert Woods Johnson in New Brunswick and Neurology  Residency at Temple University in Philadelphia. He sees adolescents and adults with all neurological disorders, but has special interest in the treatment of headaches and  migraines.

Dr. Kakkar entered medicine as a second career. He was a computer engineer for many years prior to making the difficulty decision to go back to Medical School and become a neurologist.  

Eric Mittelmann, MD

Dr. Mittelmann is a board-certified neurologist with special expertise in neuromuscular medicine and electrodiagnostic testing (EMG/NCS). He graduated from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and did his residency and sub-specialty training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. 

    • B.S. Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJ

    • M.D. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Newark, NJ

    • Neurology Residency: Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY

    • Neuromuscular fellowship: Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NY

    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Neurology

    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Neuromuscular Medicine

    • American Academy of Neurology

    • American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Joyce Tsai, MD

Born and raised near Dallas, Dr. Tsai obtained her bachelor's degree from Penn State and her MD from Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia. Following that, she was a resident neurologist at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. She completed her subspecialty training in epilepsy at Weill Cornell/New York Presbyterian Hospital. Along the way, she has discovered she loves the four seasons of the East Coast, less so the mosquitoes. Dr. Tsai is committed to providing excellent neurological care at Progressive Neurology with her fantastic colleagues. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies and scoping out new playgrounds with her husband and young sons.

    • B.S. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

    • M.D. Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Philadelphia, PA

    • Neurology Residency: Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY

    • Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Fellowship: Weill Cornell Medical Center/New York Presybterian Hospital, New York, NY

    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Neurology

    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Epilepsy

    • American Academy of Neurology

    • American Epilepsy Society

Celine Leung, DO

Dr. Celine Leung is a skilled and compassionate physician specializing in general child neurology and epilepsy.

She earned her medical degree at New York Institute of Technology College of Medicine. She completed her child neurology residency at Virginia Commonwealth University and pediatric epilepsy fellowship at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. She is board certified in both child neurology and epilepsy.

At Progressive Neurology, Dr. Leung treats patients with an array of neurological conditions from birth up to 25 years of age. Her areas of interest are in epilepsy and headache syndromes including migraine. 

    • BS in Molecular Genetics at the University of Rochester, New York

    • D.O from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine

    • Internship in Internal Medicine at Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York

    • Child Neurology Residency at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia

    • Epilepsy Fellowship at New York Presbyterian Columbia University, New York 

    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Special Qualification in Child Neurology

    • American Academy of Neurology

    • American Epilepsy Society

  • Poster at American Academy of Neurology, 71st Annual Meeting May 2019 1. An adolescent female with angiography-negative childhood primary angiitis of the central nervous system 2. Evaluating the Learning Environment and Well-being Measures in an Academic Neurology Residency Program   

Jad Donato, MD

Dr. Jad Donato is a board-certified neurologist with special expertise as an epileptologist. After earning his degree in Neuroscience and Behavior at Wesleyan University, Dr. Donato received his medical school training at Robert Wood Johnson-Rutgers Medical School. He thereafter completed his residency training in neurology at Montefiore Einstein Medical Center where he also served as chief resident and gained extensive experience in the busy NYC metropolitan area. Dr. Donato continued his training with a fellowship in epilepsy within the same department at Monetfiore Medical Center.

He is proud to return to serve the local and greater New Jersey communities in which he was raised and continues to reside. Apart from his subspecialization in epilepsy, Dr. Donato addresses a wide array of neurological concerns, including a focus on headache and stroke management. He serves as the director of stroke for Pascack Valley Medical Center in addition to his clinical role as an attending physician at the main campus of Hackensack University Medical Center.

    • B.A. Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT

    • M.D. Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ

    • Internal Medicine Internship: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY

    • Neurology Residency: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY

    • Epilepsy Fellowship: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY

    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Neurology

    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Epilepsy

    • American Academy of Neurology (AAN)

    • American Epilepsy Society (AES)

    • International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE)

    • Donato J, Favate A, Kim N. Proposal for safe use of IV-tPA in an acute stroke scenario in the pregnant patient. Cerebrovascular Disease, 2018; 45:1-1. DOI:10.1159/000490132

    • Rosengard JL, Donato J, Ferastraoaru V, Zhao D, Molinero I, Boro A, Gursky J, Correa DJ, Galanopoulou AS, Hung C, Legatt AD, Patel P, Rubens E, Moshé SL, Haut S. Seizure control, stress, and access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City: The patient perspective. Epilepsia. 2021; 62(1): 41-50. DOI: 10.1111/epi.16779

    • Rosengard JL, Ferastraoaru V, Donato J, Haut SR. Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City - A distinct response from the epilepsy experience. Epilepsy Behav. 2021 Aug 21;123:108255. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108255. 

Reuben Brathwaite, MD

Dr. Brathwaite is a board-certified neurologist with specialized training in epilepsy. He completed his neurology residency at JFK University Medical Center in Edison, NJ and his epilepsy fellowship at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ.

Dr. Brathwaite focuses on the diagnosis and management of seizure disorders, including complex and treatment-resistant epilepsy. His clinical interests include EEG interpretation and guiding patients through advanced treatment pathways, including evaluation for surgical management and device-based therapies when appropriate.

    • B.A. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

    • M.D. Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine,  Nutley, NJ

    • Neurology Residency: JFK Medical Center, Edison, NJ

    • Epilepsy Fellowship: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ

    • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - Neurology

    • American Academy of Neurology (AAN)

    • American Epilepsy Society (AES)

Lyndsay A. Buehler, APN

I started my career in medicine as a registered nurse at Hackensack University Medical Center. My first position was at the Neurology and Epilepsy floor where I had the opportunity to learn from outstanding neurologists and epileptologists. While I was working full time at the hospital, I went back to school and completed a masters degree as a Nurse Practitioner. Immediately after graduation, I joined Progressive Neurology and have been working here since 2016.

My work at Progressive Neurology is versatile, however, I have focused my interest primarily on helping evaluate and care for patients with epilepsy. Although sometimes I make rounds at Pascack Valley Hospital, most of my time is spent at the office. I see patients independently in addition to helping the physicians with their patients, especially in facilitating communication. I usually perform the initial assessment over the phone when patients are seeking a new evaluation for seizures or epilepsy and help coordinate their appointment with the most appropriate specialist in the group. 

I am a New Jersey native. I graduated from Ramapo College as a Registered Nurse and from Fairleigh Dickinson University as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I live in Bergen County, with my husband and children. 

Christine Ziccarelli, APN

I graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Immediately upon graduation I began my career as a registered nurse at White Plains Hospital. Years later, I made the jump to Mount Sinai West where I worked in the neurosurgical intensive care unit for 8 years. My time there was filled with amazing opportunities and I had the privilege of learning from many renowned neurosurgeons, neurovascular specialists, attending physicians, and neurologists. While working full time, I decided to go back to school and obtained my masters degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from William Paterson University. Shortly afterwards, I had the honor of joining the team at Progressive Neurology.

With a primary background in neuroscience, my work at Progressive Neurology includes caring for patients of many domains. I can be seen rounding on patients at Pascack Valley Hospital, as well as seeing patients in our office setting. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, I have the ability to see and treat patients of any age.  As a team member, I am available to help our other physicians with immediate patient concerns, education and communication. 

I was born and raised in Rockland county and recently moved to Bergen County. In my free time, I love spending time with family and friends, cooking, watching sports, and trying new restaurants with my husband and family.