Congratulations to this year’s Top Doctors New York Metro
Castle Connolly Top Doctors represent the top 7% of all U.S. practicing physicians.
Castle Connolly Top Doctors are peer-nominated, and thoroughly vetted by our physician-led research team. These doctors are best-in-class healthcare providers, embodying excellence in clinical care as well as interpersonal skills.
This year we are proud to announce that we have 9 doctors in Fairfield County that made the NY Metro list.
Board Certified orthopedic surgeon and spine specialist, Dr. Gerard Girasole discusses golf injuries and how to prevent them live with Melissa in the Morning!
Two student athletes – Taylor Alfano (West Haven HS) and Cooper Callahan (Fairfield Prep) – are the recipients of the 2024 Southern Connecticut Conference “Comeback Player of the Year” awards. Both students suffered severe injuries yet were able to overcome them to become outstanding role models in their respective schools.
A long-time corporate sponsor of the SCC, Connecticut Orthopaedics offered a Comeback Player of the Year Scholarship for student-athletes who participated in an interscholastic sport during the 2023-2024 academic year and showed great leadership both on and off the field after their injury.
Coaches and school’s athletic directors nominated these student-athletes after they each suffered an unfortunate injury that prohibited them from playing for their high school teams. Both will receive a financial scholarship to be used for their college education.
“This is our 14th year awarding student-athletes from the SCC with scholarships,” said Susan Bader, CEO of Connecticut Orthopaedics. “Our goal is to acknowledge student-athletes who have overcome the challenges of an injury and, through hard work and determination, become positive role models for their fellow teammates. As sports medicine specialists, we understand intimately what it takes to recover from an injury and return to playing sports at a high level. We also recognize the importance of scholastic achievement and applaud these individuals for their commitment to both.”
“Many thanks to the doctors and staff at Connecticut Orthopaedics for their support of the SCC and these scholarships,” explained SCC Commissioner Al Carbone. “Our league has many outstanding student-athletes who excel in the classroom and on the playing fields; but it is a tremendous gesture to recognize traits like courage, perseverance and selflessness.”
2023-24 SCC/Connecticut Orthopaedics Comeback Players of the Year
TAYLOR ALFANO, WEST HAVEN HS (volleyball, ice hockey, softball)
A three-sport standout for the Blue Devils, Taylor suffered a hip impingement and torn labrum injury. A true leader on and off the playing fields, Taylor worked tirelessly through the mental and physical aspects of the injury and rehabilitation to return to the ice this past winter.
She served as the team’s captain this winter and earned All-SCC Second Team honors as a defenseman. This spring, she played shortstop and earned All-SCC Second Team softball accolades.
An outstanding student (4.78 GPA) who ranked eighth in her class, Taylor will attend Endicott College in the fall.
COOPER CALLAHAN, Fairfield Prep (football, basketball, lacrosse)
A three-sport captain (believed to be just the second Prep student-athlete to have such a recognition), Cooper tore the ACL, MCL and meniscus in his knee during the fall of 2022 while playing football.
Through his hard work and dedication, he returned to the lacrosse field in the spring of 2023 and played a handful of games for the Jesuits, who made it to the state championship. This spring, he has led Prep to the SCC title and a spot in the state title game. Cooper earned All-SCC Second Team honors from his long stick midfield position.
Cooper signed a national letter of intent to Sacred Heart University and will continue to play lacrosse for the Pioneers.
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT CONFERENCE
The 2023-24 academic year marks the 30th year of existence for the Southern Connecticut Conference. The SCC is comprised of 23 high schools with more than 23,000 students representing 16 communities. Recognized as one of the best athletic conferences in the state, the SCC also has a great tradition of offering first-rate non-athletic programs and events that enrich the overall high school experience of our young people to help them become responsible students, athletes and citizens. For more information on the SCC, visit www.southernconnecticutconference.org
ABOUT CONNECTICUT ORTHOPAEDICS
Connecticut Orthopaedics is a premier team of orthopaedic doctors, surgeons and health care professionals who provide compassionate and innovative care to keep you moving forward with life. With over 50 doctors serving 20 locations, including 7 Urgent Care | Walk-In centers, three orthopaedic-only Surgical Centers and 12 state-of-the-art Sports Therapy | Rehab locations, we make it convenient for you to get the orthopaedic care you need, close to where you live.
There’s simply no other Connecticut practice that offers the convenience, personalized care and comprehensive experience that you’ll find with Connecticut Orthopaedics. From your first visit, to diagnosing your injury, to treatment and rehabilitation, we offer end-to-end orthopaedic services designed to accommodate your every need. To learn more, visit ct-ortho.com
Congratulations to this year’s Top Doctors
Castle Connolly Top Doctors represent the top 7% of all U.S. practicing physicians.
Castle Connolly Top Doctors are peer-nominated, and thoroughly vetted by our physician-led research team. These doctors are best-in-class healthcare providers, embodying excellence in clinical care as well as interpersonal skills.
In 2023, we had 17 doctors named to the list, and this year we are proud to announce that we have 29. This remarkable increase is a true testament to the exceptional caliber of our doctors and their unwavering commitment to patient care.
2024 Top Docs
Stephanie Arlis-Mayor , MD, FAAFP
John M. Beiner, MD, FAAOS, EMT/DMT
Isaac Cohen, MD
John Daigneault, MD
Richard Diana, MD
John D. Kelley, MD
John Marino, MD
David Martin, MD
Thomas P. Moran, MD
Glenn S. Russo, MD
Patrick A. Ruwe, MD
James Spak, MD
Mark Wilchinsky, MD
James J. Yue, MD
Southport, CT – The Pequot Running Club, is excited to announce Connecticut Orthopaedics as the presenting sponsor for its renowned Thanksgiving Day Race.
This new partnership heralds a significant enhancement for the Thanksgiving Day Race, a cherished community event that unites runners and walkers from various backgrounds in a celebration of fitness, community, and philanthropy.
“Partnering with Connecticut Orthopaedics not only elevates the race experience for our participants but also strengthens our support for local charities and community projects,” stated David Butt, Executive Director of The Pequot Running Club. “It’s a privilege to collaborate with a sponsor whose commitment to health and community wellness mirrors our own.”
The support from Connecticut Orthopaedics will allow for the ongoing success of the race and the increased contributions to this year’s designated charities.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the Pequot Running Club for the Thanksgiving Day Race,” stated Diane Griffin, COO at Connecticut Orthopaedics. “This partnership underscores our dedication to promoting active lifestyles and our commitment to the health and well-being of the communities we work and live in. With offices in Fairfield, Westport, Trumbull and Shelton, it’s now even more convenient to get an appointment with any of our orthopaedic specialists. No matter what the condition is, we have an expert who can see you.”
About the Pequot Running Club:
The Pequot Running Club has been in existence for 47 years and is the sponsor of the Thanksgiving Day Five Mile Race in Southport, Connecticut as well as other running and walking events. Over the years, the Club has given more than $1,000,000 to local charities.
About Connecticut Orthopaedics:
Connecticut Orthopaedics is a premier team of orthopaedic doctors, surgeons and health care professionals who provide compassionate and innovative care at over 20 locations across central and southern Connecticut – including Urgent Care | Walk-In centers, Sports Therapy | Rehab locations, and three state-of-the-art surgical centers. Started in 1963, Connecticut Orthopaedics is the largest privately-owned orthopaedic practice in New England, making it convenient for you to get the expert orthopaedic care you need, close to where you live.
On Wednesday February 21st, the ribbon was cut followed by cheers from the student-athletes on their new wellness center. With the support of official sponsor Connecticut Orthopaedics, Southern Connecticut State University can now provide a comfortable environment for its student-athletes to rest and regroup in a location that is convenient to their training facilities. The primary space was equipped with a technology upgrade and is a great spot to study and work with learning specialists. The secondary space provides the Owls with an area to foster community with couches, a HD television, multiple gaming consoles, foosball table and refreshments. In addition, “The Owls Nest” is an area designed to enhance student athletes recovery, equipped with zero-gravity chairs and leg compression machines as well as a state-of-the-art massage chair.
Connecticut Orthopaedics CEO, Susan Bader said, ” We are thrilled to join the Owls family and I know that Dr. Jordan Gruskay and the rest of our CO team will provide exceptional care to their student-athletes. I think one of the most exciting things happening is beyond the sidelines with a true academic partnership. We are working diligently to create a pathway
to careers in health care for SCSU students on a campus-wide scale. This will include internship and clinical training programs as well as flexible job opportunities throughout our organization. Connecticut Orthopaedics currently has over 650 employees and we are pleased to be able to nurture these future healthcare professionals as they consider their choices for the future.”
Top Doctors are peer-nominated, and thoroughly vetted by a Castle Connolly physician-led research team. These doctors are best-in-class healthcare providers, embodying excellence in clinical care as well as interpersonal skills.
2023 Top Docs