BORN AND RAISED ON STATEN ISLAND, TWIN BROTHERS MICHAEL AND FRANK SCHIRRIPA, DO, RETURNED HOME AS PAIN MEDICINE SPECIALISTS TO PROVIDE LIFE-CHANGING CARE FOR THEIR COMMUNITY

BY AMANDA McCOY • PHOTOS BY AMESSE PHOTOGRAPHY

Twin brothers Michael and Frank Schirripa, DO, have always been a dynamic team. Natural athletes, they played nearly every major sport together while attending Monsignor Farrell High School on Staten Island, where their shared interest in science and medicine first took root. After graduation, they moved to Connecticut to pursue pre-med studies at Quinnipiac University and were both accepted into the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Virginia. Their residencies brought them back to the greater New York City area – Frank at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan and Michael at NYP’s Brooklyn campus – but their ultimate goal was to return to Staten Island. That dream became a reality in 2022 when the doctors joined Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) as attendings T in pain medicine.

“Once we matched our residencies here in New York, we were set on finding opportunities in Staten Island,” Dr. Michael Schirripa said. “Our goal was to receive the best training possible and then come back home to serve our community.”

Pain management is a growing concern nationwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly a quarter of American adults in 2023 were living with chronic pain. Defined as pain that persists for three months or longer, chronic pain can stem from various causes, including injuries, nervous system disorders, arthritis, sciatica, cancer, and diabetes. To address this complex issue, the Drs. Schirripa take a comprehensive, individualized approach to help their patients find relief and regain their quality of life.

“If you are in pain, every day can feel like climbing a mountain,” said Dr. Michael Schirripa. “At SIUH, our pain medicine specialists focus on managing and reducing pain – not just temporarily, but through long-term solutions

designed to restore quality of life. We treat every patient as if they were a member of our own family. We provide options and empower them to make decisions based on their comfort level. Patients appreciate this collaborative approach to care.”

At SIUH, the brothers care for patients across a wide range of ages and conditions – from young athletes recovering from injuries to older patients with arthritis or cancer survivors dealing with post-treatment pain. They specialize in nonsurgical, minimally invasive interventional techniques, empowering patients to take control of their health. In a field often misunderstood, offering choices and education is vital.

“Patients shouldn’t panic if they are experiencing pain,” said Dr. Frank Schirripa. “If they come to us, we’ll provide the tools to help them get better safely or connect them with the right specialist. We will not waste their time.”

Accessibility is a cornerstone of their practice. At SIUH, the Schirripa brothers prioritize getting patients the care they need quickly.

“We provide options and empower patients to make decisions based on their comfort level.”

Patients have told us that at other hospitals, they’ve had to wait weeks for an appointment,” Dr. Michael Schirripa explained. “At SIUH, we can often see them within days or refer them to a colleague who can help, sometimes even on the same day.”

He went on to share a formative personal experience: “One of my earliest encounters with pain medicine – and one that shaped my career – was our grandmother receiving treatment during my internship. She had acute sciatica, and no one knew how to manage it. She was hospitalized from the pain. Our mentor performed an epidural, and after interventions, she lived another eight years pain-free.”

“Sometimes, patients hesitate to see a pain management specialist because they assume we’ll just prescribe narcotics,” added Dr. Michael Schirripa. “That’s where we must explain. We are nonsurgical orthopedic doctors who properly diagnose patients and use safe, conservative treatments to help them regain function.”

Image-guided techniques allow us to accurately target specific areas of the body that are identified as pain generators.

We utilize both ultrasound imaging and, more frequently, fluoroscopy – real-time X-ray imaging – to precisely position needles for delivering pain-relieving medications or devices. In certain cases, we employ radiofrequency ablation, a technique that uses heat generated by radio waves to selectively disrupt sensory nerves, providing long-lasting relief. Every treatment plan is carefully tailored to the patient’s unique diagnosis and pain complaints, ensuring a personalized and effective approach to pain management. ”

Approximately 90% of our treatments are performed in the office and take only minutes,” added Dr. Frank Schirripa, explaining that pain medicine – and healthcare as a whole – is becoming increasingly minimally invasive.

Pain management often requires a multidisciplinary approach, spanning physical therapy, chiropractic care, orthopedics, and neurosurgery. “At Northwell, collaboration and continuity across specialties are exceptional,” said Dr. Frank Schirripa. “Many patients need to see other doctors, and it’s easy for us to refer them to the right specialist.”

“We are essentially quarterbacks,” added Dr. Michael Schirripa – a fitting metaphor for the former football player. “Pain management requires a team effort, and we have outstanding colleagues in neurosurgery, orthopedies, and other fields. Together, we’re committed to delivering nothing less than the highest level of care for every patient.”

All Eyes Will Be On You!