Physiatrist
Assistant Director, Cancer Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship Program; Co-Director, Neurology Multidisciplinary Care Clinic
About Me
I am a physician of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, also known as physiatry, who specializes in evaluating cancer patients and cancer survivors who have neurological and musculoskeletal impairments related to their cancer and its treatment.
I have specialized training in spinal cord injury medicine, and my clinical interests include the care of patients with neurological impairments secondary to primary and metastatic tumors of the spine, spinal cord, and brain, as well as neurological impairments that can develop as a result of cancer treatment. These impairments can include weakness, sensory deficits, unstable balance, autonomic dysfunction, pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction, spasticity, sexual dysfunction, difficulty swallowing, and abnormal gait. My goal is to optimize my patients’ function and improve their overall quality of life. To accomplish this goal, I collaborate with a team of dedicated physicians, physical and occupational therapists, and speech and language pathologists to establish comprehensive treatment plans utilizing a combination of physical, occupational, and speech therapies; medications; therapeutic injections; bracing and assistive devices; and patient education.
See My Colleagues
Publications
Ruppert, L. MD. Book review: Oxford American Handbook of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Doody’s Review Service. 2010
Ruppert, L. MD; Hou, J. MD; Jedlicha, L. MD; Stubblefield, M. MD; Lin, V. MD. CancerRehabilitation. Supportive Oncology. Elsevier Inc. 2011
Ruppert, L. MD; Stubblefield, M. MD; Rogak L. MA; Starr, T.; Passik, S. PhD. Psychiatric Aspects of Rehabilitation. American Psychological Oncology Society: Psycho-Oncology Second Edition. Oxford. 2010
Ruppert, L. MD; Stubblefield, M. MD. Knowledge and Exercise Adherence After a Multidisciplinary Osteoporosis and Prevention Program-A Retrospective Review. PM&R. 2009; 1(9):S114.
Clinical Trials
As home to one of the world’s top cancer research centers, Memorial Sloan Kettering is typically involved in more than 900 clinical trials at a given time. Currently, clinical trials focused on the conditions I treat are enrolling new patients. If you’re interested in joining a clinical trial, click to learn about the trial’s purpose, eligibility criteria, and how to get more information.
Learn moreInsurance
Most major health insurers offer plans that include MSK as one of their in-network providers. If MSK is in-network, it means all our doctors are too. Medicaid and New York State Medicare also provide benefits for care at MSK.
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