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Regional Medical Director
Dr. Jeffrey G. Compas is an accomplished physician specializing in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) and Pain Management. He completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University before pursuing a career in medicine. After brief stints in the NFL and CFL, he went on to earn his medical degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012.
Dr. Compas furthered his training with a residency at Nova Southeastern University/Larkin Community Hospital, where he graduated in 2016. He then completed a Pain Management fellowship in 2017, solidifying his expertise in managing chronic pain and rehabilitation.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Compas holds leadership roles in various prestigious organizations. He is a member of the HCA Rehabilitation Physician Advisory Council, helping to lead 80 rehabilitation hospitals across the nation. He is also an active member of the Medical Executive Committee at HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital, where he currently serves as the medical director of the hospital’s 25-bed inpatient rehab facility, which opened in 2022.
Previously, Dr. Compas served as the Medical Director for Cornell Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine for Baptist Health South Florida. During his tenure there, he played a pivotal role in helping the unit achieve CARF Accreditation. Dr. Compas is committed to medical education and served as an associate professor for Florida Atlantic University residents. With a broad background in clinical practice, education, and hospital administration, Dr. Compas brings invaluable expertise to his role as Regional Medical Director at U.S. Physiatry.
Regional Medical Director – New York/New Jersey Metro Area
Dr. Jason Georgekutty is a board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physician, with expertise in Traumatic Brain Injury and Polytrauma. He graduated from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Westbury, NY, and completed his residency at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida, serving as Chief Resident. He did his advanced fellowship training in Traumatic Brain Injury and Polytrauma at University of Texas Health – San Antonio and South Texas Veterans Health Care System in San Antonio, Texas.
Dr. Georgekutty has demonstrated exceptional leadership and has served in numerous roles of progressive responsibility across his career. He has held roles including Staff Physiatrist at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and Medical Director at Cornell Rehabilitation for Baptist Health South Florida. Currently, he serves as Attending Physician at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in White Plains, NY, where he mentors PM&R residents from Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Georgekutty is a distinguished physiatrist, academician, and medical educator who is committed to advancing the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation and is open to collaborations and new opportunities within post-acute rehabilitation. Dr. Georgekutty’s extensive experience, leadership, and dedication to quality care make him a valuable partner for our present and future US Physiatry endeavors.
Director of Early Career Physician Development + Regional Medical Director of Cincinnati OH
Victoria M. Strickland, M.D., graduated with honors from The Ohio State University with a degree in Biology. She went on to The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences where she received her medical degree. She completed her internship at Riverside Methodist Hospital. She then received her Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency training at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine.
She began her clinical practice with Stepen D. Heis, M.D. and Associates Inc. where she worked at multiple inpatient rehabilitation hospitals within the Cincinnati area. Dr. Strickland currently serves as the medical director at Mercy Health Anderson Hospital. She is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Regional Medical Director – St. Louis, MO
Herbert Villaflores, MD, MBA, received his bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry from California State University, Fullerton. He went on to Saba University School of Medicine where he received his MD. He received his residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Kentucky School of Medicine. To further enhance his medical training and leadership development, he pursued and received his MBA from Fontbonne University.
Currently, he serves as Program Director of Clinical Quality for SSM-Select Rehabilitation, St. Louis and is the Regional Director for US Physiatry. Most recently, as the Physician Advisor and Medical Director of Care Coordination at DePaul Hospital, he also served as a member of the Executive Leadership Team at SSM Health DePaul Hospital. He has been with the SSM Health system since 2004, serving in multiple capacities as Medical Director for multiple hospitals and units to include Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, and General Rehabilitation.
Regional Medical Director – Houston, TX
Anand Allam, M.D., graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in electrical engineering and biology. After some experiences in biomedical engineering, he decided to pursue medicine and obtained his medical degree at UT Southwestern Medical School at Dallas. He completed residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine and fellowship in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine at TIRR Memorial Hermann, the Houston VA Medical Center, and many other sites in the Texas Medical Center. During this time, he also obtained an M.S. in Health Informatics at the UTHealth School of Biomedical Informatics.
He began his clinical practice as faculty at the McGovern Medical School at UT Houston with various clinical, administrative, and leadership roles in PM&R and Clinical Informatics. After a few years, he transitioned back to his hometown in The Woodlands, TX. Currently, he serves as the medical director of inpatient rehabilitation at CHI St. Luke’s Health – The Woodlands Hospital. He also provides care at various post-acute facilities including SNF, LTACH and a brain injury residential facility in the North Houston area.
Dr. Allam is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Texas Medical Association. He is board certified in PM&R and SCI Medicine.
Regional Medical Director – Tennessee
Antoinne Able, M.D., received degrees from University of Tennessee –Knoxville (B.A.), Tennessee State University (M.S.), and Meharry Medical College. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center – San Antonio. Antoinne Able, M.D., practiced at UTHSC-SA as an Assistant Professor and Associate Medical Director of the Spinal Cord Injury service before returning to Meharry. At Meharry, he worked to introduce students, residents and colleagues to PM&R and all it has to offer. Eventually he joined the medical faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and served as Associate Professor and Medical Director of Stroke Rehabilitation. Currently he has assumed the role of Medical Director at Tri-Star Southern Hills Rehabilitation Center (Nashville) and regional medical director for US Physiatry.
He has been married to Patricia for more than 25 years. Medicine and especially Hubbard Hospital (Nashville, TN) has proved a close second in time and attention to Patricia. That relationship led to circumstances and experiences that first introduced Dr. Able to caring for the underserved. Here, the conceptual framework of worship of God through service to mankind was firmly implanted. Every joy, benefit, or success he has experienced is easily attributed to knowing these to be more than mere words. Initially, it was an ideal; now, it is a passion by which he lives.
Regional Medical Director – Columbus, Ohio
Lisa Lombard, M.D., graduated from Amherst College with a degree in Neuroscience with honors and completed medical training at Wayne State University School of Medicine. After finishing a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, she went on to complete a fellowship in Brain Injury Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, she is board certified in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine. She has held faculty positions at the University of Pittsburgh and Indiana University and was medical director of the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana. She currently serves as medical director at OhioHealth Rehabilitation Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Lombard has published on many rehabilitation topics, including brain injury agitation, neuropharmacology and spasticity. She frequently serves as an oral boards examiner for the American Board of PM&R and has held numerous volunteer positions in both the ABPMR and the American Academy of PM&R.
Regional Medical Director – Cleveland, Ohio
Sam Ghaffari, D.O., is board certified in Physiatry and has served as the Atlanta Region Medical Director since 2011. As one of the longest-tenured physicians in US Physiatry, he has been able to cultivate a diverse physiatry practice. He established a well-networked outpatient clinic in a suburb east of Atlanta in 2008, focusing on neurorehab, spasticity, EMG, and pain management. He serves as Medical Director of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Center at Dekalb Medical Center in Decatur, GA since 2012. Dr. Ghaffari is an active attending, consultant, and previous Medical Director of New London Healthcare, a skilled nursing facility in Snellville, GA. He serves as Medical Director of Gentiva Home Health, an affiliate of Kindred Home, Gwinnett County Branch since 2010. He is also a consulting physician for two Atlanta area Long Term Acute Care Hospitals (LTAC). Since 2008 Dr. Ghaffari is Clinical Faculty for geriatrics and physiatry clerkship for third- and fourth-year medical students from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus. Dr. Ghaffari received a wrestling scholarship to attend Division I Cleveland State University where he received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, and then received his Doctor of Osteopathy from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency training at Emory University and Shepherd Center in 2008. Dr. Ghaffari lectures nationally on spasticity, neurorehab and physiatry care in post-acute settings.
Medical Director – Atlanta, GA
Shannon Smith, M.D., was born in Philadelphia, PA, the only child of two teachers. She attended Julia R. Masterman High School, graduating in 1995.
Dr. Smith attended Spelman College in Atlanta, GA on an Academic Scholarship and graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1999. She subsequently obtained her Medical Degree from Temple University School of Medicine in 2003 and was the recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Award.
After medical school, she attended The University of Tennessee for her internship, then Emory University for a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency. Her first job post-residency was becoming the Medical Director of the Pediatric Inpatient Rehab Unit at The University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she helped the unit obtain a specialized CARF pediatric brain injury certification, making it one of six facilities with that distinction at the time. During her time in Mississippi, she was active in Brain Injury Awareness and promoted ATV Legislation, speaking at the State Capitol in Jackson, MS.
Dr. Smith is currently in Atlanta, GA, where she serves as Medical Director for the Inpatient Rehab Unit at Emory Decatur Hospital. She is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Brain Injury Medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She serves on the Board of Directors for ElevateMeD, a nonprofit organization designed to enhance physician and healthcare diversity. Dr. Smith actively mentors college students and tutors medical students, and also frequently gives community health care presentations to local nursing homes and senior facilities.
Regional Medical Director – Arizona
After completing his undergraduate education at Michigan State University with a B.S. in physiology in 1984, Dr. Kovan attended medical school at Wayne State University in Detroit, graduating with his M.D. degree in 1988. He completed residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Medical College of Ohio, in Toledo, in 1992, serving as chief resident during his training.
After practicing Locum Tenens in Portland, ME, Cincinnati, OH, Fresno, CA and Boston, MA, he moved back to his native state of Michigan in 1993 and was a partner with Medical Rehabilitation Group, PC until 2013. While in Michigan, he managed patients in several settings including the acute hospital, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities as well as outpatient management of acute and chronic musculoskeletal and nonoperative spinal disorders. His interests also include electrodiagnostic (EMG) testing.
He relocated to Phoenix, AZ in 2013 to become a regional medical director for US Physiatry. He currently practices at Honor Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Scottsdale, AZ and several skilled nursing facilities throughout the Valley. Clinical interests continue to include acute inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities, musculoskeletal and nonoperative spinal disorders and electrodiagnostic medicine (EMG).
Dr. Kovan is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine.
Chief Clinical Officer
Craig DiTommaso, M.D., is the medical director of the Post Acute Rehabilitation Hospital in Humble, Texas. Dr. DiTommaso performs rehabilitation management, consultations, intrathecal baclofen pump management, and chemodenervation for patients with spasticity, traumatic neurological injury including traumatic brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, or spinal cord injury. He is an active member of the Rehabilitation Services Volunteer Project and enjoys scuba diving with his wife. He is a father to two children: Isabella and Lorenzo.
His medical career started at Tulane University and he completed an internship in Internal Medicine in New Orleans. He completed his residency at the Baylor College of Medicine. He then completed a Brain Injury Medicine fellowship at the University of Washington. He remained at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle as a neuro-trauma consultant until returning to Houston.
In Houston, Dr. DiTommaso became the medical director of inpatient rehabilitation for Baylor College of Medicine and served as an assistant professor. During his tenure with BCM, he was the medical director of Baylor St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Services, Baylor St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Center, and a primary attending on the TIRR Disorder of Consciousness program. Dr. DiTommaso also taught Brain Injury Medicine fellows, PM&R resident physicians, medical students, and physician assistant students.
His research interests include prognosis after traumatic brain injury, headache management after brain injuries including concussions, and spasticity treatment. He is an editor for both the PM&R journal and the CNS Rehabilitation section of the Knowledge NOW project.
Chief Executive Officer
Jose L. Vargas, M.D., serves as CEO of U.S. Physiatry. He is a board-certified physiatrist and internist. He completed his training in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in Atlanta, Georgia, at Emory University in 2004. Prior to that, he had completed a residency in Internal Medicine in New York City at Cabrini Medical Center, where he also served as the Chief Resident. He has served on the Medical Advisory Boards of RehabCare in St. Louis, Missouri and Preferred Care of Plano, Texas. Dr. Vargas served as the Medical Director of West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital in Miami, Florida, where he served in that capacity since 2005. Dr. Vargas has focused his practice on inpatient rehabilitation and post-acute rehabilitation in skilled nursing facilities. His current focus is on medical administrative leadership in rehabilitation systems.
Chief Medical Officer
Michael F. Lupinacci, M.D., is board certified in physiatry and pain management, and is the Chief Medical Officer of U.S. Physiatry. Dr. Lupinacci received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Georgetown University where he also received his medical degree. He did his residency training at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston where he served as Chief Resident. He is currently the Medical Director of Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where he has been in private group practice since 1990. In this capacity, he has received several clinical excellence awards including Medical Director of the Year. Dr. Lupinacci served as Captain in Air Force Special Operations and received the Air Force Commendation Medal. He has had several major leadership roles in the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation culminating in his service as President of the Academy. Dr. Lupinacci currently serves in an advisory role on several Academy committees and participates in clinical education for residents, medical students, and practicing physiatrists, providing national, international, and regional lectureships and invited publications. He has experience in Congressional testimony and presentations to Medicare and has a particular interest in the development of Post-Acute rehabilitation healthcare delivery systems.
Founder & Chairman of the Board
Mike de Cardenas, M.D., Chairman and Founder, completed his training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, in 1983. He then completed a fellowship in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation at Baylor in 1984. In his 25 years of experience as a Physiatrist, he has helped build many rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient therapy centers, and skilled nursing facilities. He has served as Corporate Medical Director for Preferred Care, an operator of over 110 skilled nursing facilities, for the past 20 years, where he has focused on building high-quality rehabilitation programs for the post-acute setting. He has previously served as Medical Director for Continental Medical Systems, HealthSouth, Select Medical Corporation and Rehab Care. He has also served as an Advisor in the development of rehabilitation hospitals and outpatient centers in Spain, Mexico and Central and South America. He is also a partner of Reliant Pro Rehabilitation, a physical therapy and rehabilitation organization.