Our Multidisciplinary MS Team

Claire Riley, MD
Director, Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care & Research Center

Dr. Claire Riley earned an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and a medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed an internship in internal medicine and her residency in neurology at Columbia University Medical Center. In addition, she completed a two-year clinical fellowship in the Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care & Research Center at Columbia University in 2010. Dr. Riley is board certified in neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Riley returned to Columbia University as Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care & Research Center in January 2012. She was previously an attending neurologist and assistant professor in the Yale MS Center in New Haven, CT, where she maintains an adjunct appointment and continues to provide clinical care. Dr. Riley regularly teaches medical students, residents and fellows in the MS clinic. She is also an investigator in clinical trials related to multiple sclerosis.

Columbia University's Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Care & Research Center is a premier treatment and research facility for individuals living with multiple sclerosis. Our center remains dedicated to providing the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic care available to our patients.

For appointments please call: 212-305-6876
To speak with our social worker please call or email: Susan Morer at 212-342-1118 or sm172@columbia.edu

James Kirkland Roberts, M.D.,

is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology. He received his medical degree from Cornell University and completed internal medicine and neurology residencies at Columbia University. Dr. Roberts has a particular interest in dizziness, vertigo, and balance. He is involved in clinical research, including evaluating novel therapies in patients with multiple sclerosis. Dr. Roberts also has subspecialty training in vascular neurology.

Peter Kim, M.D.,

is an Associate Clinical Professor of Clinical Neurology. After earning his medical degree from the State University of New York at Syracuse, Dr. Kim completed an internal medicine internship at the University of Rochester and then a neurology residency and research fellowship at Columbia University. Dr. Kim's interests include clinical trials to evaluate new therapies for multiple sclerosis.

Alexander G. Khandji, M.D.,

is Clinical Professor of Radiology, Vice-Chair for Clinical Affairs in the department, and Associate Director of the Radiology Service at Columbia-Presbyterian. He was Chief Resident during his residency here and later completed training in Neuroradiology at the Neurological Institute. He is an expert in the MRI findings in MS and other diseases that are sometimes mistaken as MS.

Kevin Sperber, M.D.,

is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine and Assistant Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine in Anesthesiology. Dr. Sperber received his medical degree from SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn. He then completed a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital and a fellowship in pain management at Beth Israel Medical Center. Dr. Sperber specializes in both Rehabilitation Medicine and Pain Management and works with multiple sclerosis patients to improve their function, mobility, and quality of life.

Joel Stein, MD,

Dr. Joel Stein obtained his undergraduate degree from Columbia University, and his MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He then completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, followed by a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He was a faculty member at Harvard Medical School and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital until 2008, when he was appointed the Simon Baruch Professor and Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine at Columbia, and as Physiatrist-in-Chief at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Stein's primary area of clinical practice is neurological rehabilitation, and he has a particular interest in spasticity management. The spasticity management service, under Dr. Stein's direction, provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art treatment for spasticity affecting individuals with MS and other disorders, including botulinum toxin (Botox®) injections, phenol injections, and intrathecal baclofen pump placement and management.

Anis Dizdarevic, M.D.,

is an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management. He received his medical degree from Harvard University and then completed an anesthesiology residency and interventional pain management fellowship at Brigham and Women's Hospital. He is an expert in pain management and has a particular interest in intrathecal Baclofen pump therapy for muscle spasticity.

Kerry Raivel, PT, MS, MS EE, ATP,

is a graduate of both the Columbia University Master's of Physical Therapy Program and the Columbia University Master's of Science in Engineering Program. Kerry has over 9 years of experience as a therapist and is certified as an Assistive Technology Practitioner. He is the coordinator of the Seating and Mobility Program at Columbia University Medical Center, which evaluates patients who are in need of a variety of assistive devices to improve function and safety. He is an expert in helping patients maximize their level of functioning and improve their quality of life.

Kimberly L. Cooper, M.D.,

is the Co- Director of Voiding Dysfunction, Neurourology and Urodynamics at Columbia University Medical Center- New York Presbyterian Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Urology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and her M.D. from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. After completing her urology residency at Columbia University Medical Center, Dr. Cooper completed a fellowship in female urology, voiding dysfunction, neurourology and urodynamics at Columbia. Her clinical and research interests are in male and female incontinence, vaginal prolapse, voiding dysfunction, neurology, and urodynamics.

Matthew Rutman, M.D.,

is the Co- Director of Voiding Dysfunction, Neurourology and Urodynamics at Columbia University Medical Center- New York Presbyterian Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Urology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons.

He graduated with honors from Emory University and Chicago Medical School. After completing his residency at William Beaumont Hospital, Dr. Rutman completed a fellowship in female urology, voiding dysfunction, neurourology and urodynamics at the UCLA Medical Center. His clinical and research interests include male and female incontinence, vaginal prolapse, and voiding dysfunction.
(http://www.columbiaurology.org/about/physicians/matthew-rutman.html)

Susan Morer, LMSW, C-ASWCM

joined the MS Center staff in September of 2009. Ms. Morer obtained her Master of Science degree from Columbia University School of Social Work and was a social worker at the Southern New York Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society prior to joining the MS Center. Ms. Morer is an essential member of the team. She provides a variety of services to patients, ranging from individual and family counseling to the administration of health and welfare programs, such as facilitating the procurements of entitlement benefits. Ms. Morer is an advocate for patients and their rights to services and benefits. She creates and provides information and referrals to community resources and programs, develops support programs for patients and their families, and educates individuals with newly diagnosed and chronic MS.