Professional Staff
Peggy W. Brill, PT, OCS
Peggy W. Brill is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy with 16 years of clinical experience. After receiving the “Award of Excellence” she gratefully accepted a scholarship from John F. Kennedy Medical Center which employed her upon graduating magna cum laude from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 1989. JFK Medical Center offered diversified hospital rotations that included pediatrics, sub-acute traumatic brain injury, acute cardiopulmonary, chronic pain clinic, women’s health, outpatient orthopaedics and sports medicine. Peggy adopted an integrative treatment approach for assuring lifelong health and has made staying strong and living well a goal for every patient.
Now celebrating an eleven-year business anniversary, Peggy owns and maintains Brill Physical Therapy’s two Manhattan private practices which offer executive services that include two major Wall Street firms - Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse. In January 2004, Peggy completed her Advanced Masters in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy from Touro College of New York.
As the proud author of two books - "THE CORE PROGRAM: 15 Minutes A Day That Can Change Your Life" (2001) and "INSTANT RELIEF: Tell Me Where It Hurts and I’ll Tell You What To Do" (2003), Peggy Brill has presented her books and work for the Today Show, CBS Special Report, CNN’s choice for "Unusual People in Business", Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in Business, California Governor’s Conference, Duke Center for Integrative Medicine, American College of Sports Medicine and Duke University men’s basketball team. Peggy has also been featured in numerous magazines-Vogue, Shape, Prevention, Fortune, Bottomline Health, and Fitness. She has successfully helped thousands to relieve pain and return to the joy of actively living.
Khaled Nasr, PT, MS, DPT
Dr. Khaled is the Clinical Director - 1585 Broadway and 2000 Westchester Avenue offices.
Khaled graduated from Cairo University in 1992 with an honors degree in Physical Therapy and gained his doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale.
Khaled has achieved advanced levels of manual therapy techniques through both work and educational experience in Egypt, New Zealand, Australia and New York. He has over 16 years of post-graduate experience with a wide variety of orthopedic treatment on adolescent, adult and geriatric patients with a strong emphasis on Manual Therapy and advanced therapeutic techniques with focus on integrating manual-based approach and therapeutic exercises in rehabilitation. Khaled has worked in a variety of Physical Therapy settings and rehabilitation institutes in New Zealand and has a particular interest and expertise in Sports Rehabilitation treating numerous elite athletes and has provided Physical Therapy coverage at The NZ Rugby national league.
Khaled's experience also includes extensive training in Ergonomics and work related musculoskeletal injuries. He is certified as Ergonomics Specialist from The Back school of Atlanta. In addition, Khaled obtained his certification in personal training from the National Institute of Endurance in 2004 with focus on postural correction and therapeutic exercises.
Khaled's philosophy of physical therapy treatment begins with listening to the patients and understanding their long-term goals. To ensure a thorough assessment, Khaled combines his background in biomechanics, evidence-based medicine and clinical expertise to identify the patient's dysfunction. Then, utilizing manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercise and physical therapy modalities, an individualized plan of care is implemented to improve the patient's injury and functional deficit.
Lauren Buchsbaum, PT, Physical Therapist
Lauren graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS in Movement Science and received her Master's degree in Physical Therapy from Hunter College. Lauren joins us after working at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases where she focused on outpatient physical therapy. Lauren is continually strengthening her knowledge with a variety of continuing education courses to enhance her manual and orthopedic skills. She is dedicated to providing personalized and quality care to all of her patients.
Russell Strum, PT, MS, Physical Therapist
Russell received a MS in Physical Therapy from New York Medical in 1999 and a MS in Acupuncture from the Tri-State College of Acupuncture in New York City in 2005. As a physical therapist, Russell has had experience in a range of settings, including hospitals and orthopedic outpatient clinics, treating patients following sports injuries and surgeries, balance and gait problems, pain syndromes, and occupational or repetitive strain related injuries.
After completing his training in acupuncture, Russell apprenticed with some of the top practicing clinicians in Tokyo and worked in integrative therapy clinics, where he could incorporate both acupuncture and PT to provide the best quality care. As a long time athlete, avid runner and martial arts enthusiast, he has always had a personal stake in learning the most effective treatments and is committed to educating his patients about posture and ergonomic considerations. He is very enthusiastic to teach about exercises and stretches that will restore strength and range of motion, as well as improve the overall functioning of the body.
Andy Tsui, PT, MS, Physical Therapist
Andy brings substantial manual therapy experience and a passion for healing to Brill PT. A graduate of Columbia University, he spent several years in California honing his manual skills before returning to his native New York. His extensive continuing education has made him eligible for MTC (manual therapy certification) and COMT (certified orthopedic manual therapist) certifications. He has training in multiple approaches including Maitland Australian Physiotherapy, Stanley Paris and muscle energy, as well as ergonomics. He has worked in both private and hospital settings exposing him to many diagnoses and the various challenges that they bring. Andy enjoys sharing the healing process with his patients and tailoring their individual therapy to meet their unique lifestyles & needs.
Shelly Ambrose, PTA, Physical Therapy Assistant
Shell Ambrose, PTA is a New York State Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. Shelly is a graduate of Maria College in Albany, New York. She joins us after working in the Capital District for seven years in a number of settings to include Geriatric Rehabilitation, Aquatic therapy, Women's Health (including pelvic floor dysfunction) and Out patient Sports Therapy. Shelly is also a certified personal trainer through ACE (American Council of Exercise) and has experience with Pilates-based therapy and continuing care from the rehabilitation setting to gym workouts. She is committed to providing personalized and individual care to assist Peggy Brill with patients from maximum recovery from injuries and overall well-being.
Dorota Majewska, Massage Therapist
Dorota Majewska is a professional New York licensed massage therapist that specializes in deep tissue therapy, body integrate issues, trauma and injuries. She attended The Swedish Institute in New York City and has a decade of practice with top wellness facilities in New York. She has wonderful hands for relieving pain and tension.
Tatianna Martushev, Craniosacral Therapist
Tatianna Martushev began studying Craniosacral Therapist in 2003 with the world-renowned Upleger Institute. She went on to the Swedish Institute of New York City, where she graduated at the top of her class in massage Therapy. After the Swedish Institute she expanded her hands-on skills to include Myofascial Release Lymphatic Drainage and Visceral Manipulation. Her intuitive mind and touch combined with love and passion for her work have helped countless people on their road to health and injury recovery.
Varvara Kalinin, Certified Pilates Instructor
Varvara hails from a true dancing family. Her parents Marina and Alexander Kalinin are graduates of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and former dancers of the world-renowned Moiseyev Dance Company in Moscow. After immigrating to the US in 1981, Varvara studied ballet with her parents and later was accepted to Balanchine Ballet Academy here in NYC. At the age of 16 she joined The Kalinin Dance company, touring all over the US, Australia, and Europe. She holds a BFA from Stephens College in Columbia, MO
She was first introduced to mind-body movements in Los Angeles at Long Beach Dance Conditioning when recovering from a dance injury. She quickly became a devotee and received her Pilates certification with Marie Jose Lawrence Blom. After moving to NYC in 2004 she discovered GYROTONIC and received her certification in 2005 with Julio Harvath. Varvara teaches a comprehensive and detailed class that is grounded in Pilates and GYROTONIC principles. I find that by integrating the different methods of movement clients experience greater results. Pilates stabilizes and focuses on the inner core muscles and GYROTONIC releases, and expands the muscles and joints in the body. In addition to teaching movement she is also a Thai massage practitioner.
Ki Joo Choi, Gyrotonics Instructor
Choi graduated from Kyunghee University of Seoul, Korea with a Masters of Physical Education. Choi combines his 20-year Mastery of Qi Gong and bodywork with his 15 years of Gyrotonics creating a unique blend of energy-enhancing, meridian-releasing, joint-mobilizing, and body-strengthening that make him a treasure for athletes, celebrities, and many types of dancers including the American Ballet Theater. Brill Physical Therapy is very excited to add Choi's bodywork and sports medicine techniques to assure our commitment to the lifelong health of all our patients and to extend our post-rehab services for improved fitness.
Lap Tsui, Acupuncturist
Dr. Tsui was a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology for 20 years in Shanghai, China, where she studied Oriental Medicine and acupuncture along with Western Medicine. She has continued her studies in acupuncture since coming to the United States, and she was licensed by New York State as a graduate of the New York Institute of Chinese Medicine.
She has had great success using her acupuncture in pain management and in the treatment of various health conditions including gynecological and fertility problems. Dr. Tsui is a warm and nurturing caregiver who wishes to share the benefits of acupuncture with the people of her adopted home, New York.
