Meet Our Doctors & Clinical Staff

Dr. Mitchell Reiter

Dr. Mitchell Reiter serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at UMDNJ - New Jersey Medical School where he served as Chief of the division of spine surgery from September of 1998 through April of 2008. He is board certified in Orthopedic surgery and has completed fellowship training in spinal surgery. His practice consists entirely of the operative and nonoperative management of patients with spinal disorders.

Dr. Reiter completed the accelerated six year combined B.S./M.D. Honors Program in Medical Education at the University of Miami. He then received five years of residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at The University of Miami - Jackson Memorial Hospital followed by a year of fellowship training in spinal surgery at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Reiter has been elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, the U.S. national medical honor society. Dr. Reiter has published numerous journal articles and book chapter in the field of spine surgery. His research interests include studies on techniques to reduce scar tissue formation that occurs following spinal operations, biologic adjuncts to improve spinal fusion procedures, and the biomechanics of spinal fixation.

Dr. Reiter is active in medical societies at both the state and national levels. He is Secretary of The New Jersey Spine Society, a member of the Board of Councilors of New Jersey Orthopedic Society, a member of the Education Committee of The North American Spine Society, a Fellow of The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, a member of The American Medical Association, and a member of the Steering Committee for the Model Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System. Dr. Reiter has been recognized for excellence in medical education and has received the "Outstanding Educator Award" from the graduating class of Orthopedic Chief Residents at The New Jersey Medical School in 2000, 2006, and 2008.

Dr. Mark R. Drzala

Dr. Mark Drzala is a board certified and fellowship trained orthopedic spine surgeon and has been in practice since 1998. He devotes his practice to the treatment of patients with disorders of the spine and specializes in their care.  Thorough patient evaluation and a focus on education is the hallmark of Dr. Drzala’s practice. While certain conditions have absolute surgical indications, Dr. Drzala is conservative by nature and typically exhausts non-operative treatment options, whenever possible, before considering surgical intervention. Patients participate fully in the decision making process regarding their care with treatment regimens tailored to meet each patient’s needs.

Dr. Drzala graduated Cum Laude from Rutgers University. He then received his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - New Jersey Medical School, where he also completed a residency in orthopedic surgery and was elected Orthopedic Administrative Chief Resident. Dr. Drzala acquired comprehensive experience with the complete spectrum of spinal disorders during his spine fellowship at St. Mary’s Hospital and Medical Center in San Francisco, California (presently affiliated with Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California). He has served as a clinical instructor for the New Jersey Medical School Department of Orthopedics, Division of Spine Surgery, since September of 1998.

Dr. Drzala has published and lectured in the field of spine surgery and is active in multiple medical societies at both the state and national levels. He is a member of the North American Spine Society, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, New Jersey Spine Society, American Medical Association, Orthopedic Surgeons of New Jersey, Medical Society of New Jersey, and the Essex County Medical Society, where he has been elected and presently serves as a councilor. Dr. Drzala has been recognized and elected by his peers as a top doctor in his specialty in New Jersey Monthly for three consecutive years 2006, 2007, and 2008.

Drs. Reiter and Drzala are both affiliated with Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ and Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, NJ

Clinical Staff

Brian Peterkin, PA-C

Brian Peterkin is a Certified Physician Assistant with a master degree in Clinical Medical Science from Barry University.  Brian has an extensive background in exercise physiology being both a certified strength and conditioning specialist and health fitness instructor and now currently finds interest in spinal rehabilitation.  He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, New Jersey State Society of Physician Assistants and North American Spine Society.  Brian works closely in the office and operating room with Drs. Drzala and Reiter to expedite patient care.

Brook Villa, R.N.

Brook Villa is a registered nurse with  9 years of operating room experience.  Brook has been involved with spinal surgery in the operating room with Drs. Drzala and Reiter since August 1999.  Brook works closely coordinating all aspects of patient care and is always available to answer questions.