Skip to content
Heather M. Ma, M.D., M.S.

Heather M. Ma, M.D., M.S.

she/her/hers

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

UR Medicine Faculty The University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group (URMFG) consists of over 900 specialist and primary care providers spanning 19 departments. URMFG is certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
Accountable Health Partner Accountable Health Partners (AHP) is a network of over 2,000 community and UR medical faculty and a dozen leading hospitals throughout the region. AHP offers a full range of care.
Accepting New Patients

Contact

Locations

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

2400 South Clinton Avenue, Suite 150
Rochester, NY 14618

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

601 Elmwood Avenue, Room 5-1200
Rochester, NY 14642

About Me

As a physiatrist (physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation), with subspecialty certification in Brain Injury Rehabilitation Medicine, Dr. Ma believes in taking a comprehensive approach to helping each patient achieve the best recovery possible following a brain injury. Treatmen...
As a physiatrist (physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation), with subspecialty certification in Brain Injury Rehabilitation Medicine, Dr. Ma believes in taking a comprehensive approach to helping each patient achieve the best recovery possible following a brain injury. Treatment approaches may include the use of medications, nutrition, therapies, counseling, procedures, and the involvement of other specialists.

Professional Background

Dr. Ma earned her medical degree at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She completed the National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Training Program, a residency at Northwestern University’s Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago ...
Dr. Ma earned her medical degree at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She completed the National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Training Program, a residency at Northwestern University’s Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (now the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab) and a fellowship at Harvard University’s Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. She joined the staff at the University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital to lead the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program, and is currently working as the Division Chief and Medical Director of Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation. Dr. Ma’s goal is to provide outstanding patient-centered care, which includes educational opportunities for all learners, and explores novel interventions and therapeutics to accelerate recovery for patients.

Certified Specialties

Brain Injury Medicine - American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Faculty Appointments

Assistant Professor - Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (SMD)

Assistant Professor - Department of Neurology (SMD) - Joint

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Fellow, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. 2017 - 2018

Residency, Resident, McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. 2014 - 2017

Internship, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. 2013 - 2014

Education

MD | Case Western Reserve University. 2013

Awards

Scholl Recognition Award for Rehabilitation Research. 2017

Pre-Applicant, Rehabilitation Medicine Scientist Training Program (RMSTP). 2014 - 2016

The Betty Jean Fratianne, MD, Student Award. 2013

Rita Schaffer Undergraduate Award. 2006

Research

Dr. Ma has a particular interest in the use of neuro-stimulants to accelerate the rate of recovery from traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries.

Publications

Journal Articles

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to enhance recovery from traumatic brain injury: a comprehensive review and case series.

Florentino SA, Bawany MH, Ma HM

Brain injury. 2022 February 3 :1-14. Epub 02/03/2022.

Time to treatment initiation and outcomes in high-grade glioma patients in rehabilitation: a retrospective cohort study.

Warren KT, Liu L, Liu Y, Strawderman MS, Hussain AH, Ma HM, Milano MT, Mohile NA, Walter KA

CNS oncology.. 2020 October 28 :CNS64. Epub 10/28/2020.

Amantadine and memantine: a comprehensive review for acquired brain injury.

Ma HM, Zafonte RD

Brain injury. 2020 February 2334 (3):299-315. Epub 02/20/2020.

Art at the Bedside in the Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting.

Blaine PK, Ma HM

PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation.. 2020 January 10 Epub 01/10/2020.

Effect of extended-release niacin on serum lipids and on endothelial function in adults with sickle cell anemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

Scoffone HM, Krajewski M, Zorca S, Bereal-Williams C, Littel P, Seamon C, Mendelsohn L, Footman E, Abi-Jaoudeh N, Sachdev V, Machado RF, Cuttica M, Shamburek R, Cannon RO, Remaley A, Minniti CP, Kato GJ

The American journal of cardiology.. 2013 November 1112 (9):1499-504. Epub 09/13/2013.

Lipoprotein(a) levels and long-term cardiovascular risk in the contemporary era of statin therapy.

Nicholls SJ, Tang WH, Scoffone H, Brennan DM, Hartiala J, Allayee H, Hazen SL

Journal of lipid research.. 2010 October 51 (10):3055-61. Epub 07/02/2010.

Laser-induced auto-fluorescence (LIAF) as a method for assessing skin stiffness preceding diabetic ulcer formation.

Tajaddini A, Scoffone HM, Botek G, Davis BL

Journal of biomechanics.. 2007 40 (4):736-41. Epub 11/22/2006.

Direct measurement of intervertebral disc maximum shear strain in six degrees of freedom: motions that place disc tissue at risk of injury.

Costi JJ, Stokes IA, Gardner-Morse M, Laible JP, Scoffone HM, Iatridis JC

Journal of biomechanics.. 2007 40 (11):2457-66. Epub 01/02/2007.

Ratings & Reviews

At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information. Learn more about our survey process.