Our Team

The people behind
your care

Expert, integrated care — physical therapy and nutrition working together toward your goals.

Dr. Nicholas Hershfield
Specialties
Orthopedic Rehab Sports Rehab Spine GLP-1 Strength Return-to-Sport
Physical Therapist

Dr. Nicholas Hershfield

PT, DPT, OCS

Dr. Hershfield is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) — a distinction held by fewer than 10% of physical therapists in the United States. With 8+ years of clinical experience at the Hospital for Special Surgery, the nation’s #1-ranked orthopedic hospital, he brings elite institutional expertise directly to his clients through Opus.

His clinical focus spans orthopedic and sports rehabilitation across the spine, shoulder, hip, and knee — both non-operative and post-operative. As a former collegiate baseball player, he brings firsthand athletic experience to every session, connecting deeply with active individuals and athletes who want to recover efficiently and perform at their best.

Dr. Hershfield founded Opus to offer something most clinics can’t — truly personalized, one-on-one care delivered where it’s most convenient for you. Every session is with him directly. No aides, no hand-offs, no rushing.

Credentials
Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) — Mercy University
Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
Regional Director & Advanced Clinician — Hospital for Special Surgery (8+ years)
APTA CSM 2026 Speaker — Upper Extremity Return-to-Sport Testing
HSS Rehabilitation Grand Rounds Presenter — April 2023
Samantha Balkaran
Specialties
Weight Management GLP-1 Nutrition Sports Nutrition Diabetes Education Cardiac Nutrition
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Samantha Balkaran

MA, RDN, NBC-HWC

Samantha is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach with experience across both inpatient and outpatient care settings, including Lenox Hill Hospital.

Her clinical focus includes weight management, diabetes education, and cardiac nutrition — always grounded in evidence-based practice and a personalized approach. Samantha believes that lasting health begins with sustainable behavior change, not rigid rules.

At Opus, Samantha works with PT clients who are ready to take their recovery, performance, or health goals to the next level. Her virtual nutrition services are available as a complement to physical therapy — helping clients address not just how their body moves, but how it fuels and heals.

Credentials
Master of Arts (MA)
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC)
Lenox Hill Hospital — Inpatient & Outpatient Dietitian

Ready to work with our team?

Book a free 15-minute consultation and we’ll match you with the right provider — or both.

Book a Free Consultation