Tean Chai, DPT, PT

As a dedicated physical therapist at Rusk Rehabilitation within NYU Langone Ambulatory Care Brooklyn Heights, I am committed to empowering patients through personalized rehabilitation plans that foster a collaborative environment. My focus is to actively involve patients in their recovery journey, ensuring comprehensive care tailored to individual needs.

With expertise in neurologic and vestibular management, I specialize in treating individuals experiencing dizziness and vertigo associated with central and peripheral vestibular disorders. Furthermore, I provide thorough locomotor rehabilitation and mobility training for patients recovering from stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological or neurodegenerative conditions. As a board-certified neurologic clinical specialist (NCS) with a vestibular certificate from Johns Hopkins University, I am currently advancing my credentials through the Advanced Vestibular Physical Therapist (AVPT) certification program at the University of Pittsburgh. These pursuits reflect my dedication to delivering specialized, evidence-based care with a keen interest in visual-vestibular integration and vestibular hypofunction management.

My journey into rehabilitation was profoundly influenced by my service with a U.S. Army infantry division from 2003 to 2009, during which I was wounded by small-arms fire and awarded the Purple Heart. Inspired by exceptional medical providers in the Iraq theater, I pursued a career in physical therapy following my transition from active duty to the Army Reserve. I earned my associate degree as a physical therapist assistant from Kingsborough Community College, working full-time while completing undergraduate studies in psychology with a minor in physics at Hunter College, where I eventually obtained my doctor of physical therapy degree. Having personally experienced concussions during military service, I developed a deep passion for vestibular dysfunctions during clinical rotations at Rusk Rehabilitation, learning to navigate and manage the complexities of vestibular impairment.

These personal and professional experiences fuel my dedication to assisting patients in regaining independence, rebuilding confidence, and restoring their quality of life. It is an honor to serve at NYU Langone, where I am devoted to delivering the highest standard of coordinated, compassionate, and evidence-based rehabilitation care.