Our practice was founded on a deeply personal commitment: to provide compassionate, comprehensive care for individuals suffering from Lyme and tick-borne disease—especially those who have felt overlooked, dismissed, or without answers.

I am James Bruzzese, and this work is more than a profession—it is personal. My sister, Julia Bruzzese, endured a severe and life-altering battle with Lyme and tick-borne illness that ultimately left her wheelchair-bound. Her journey, which has been widely recognized and documented—including in the film The Quiet Epidemic—exposed the many gaps, frustrations, and limitations patients often face when seeking care.

Witnessing her experience firsthand shaped my path in medicine. It instilled in me a clear purpose: to build a practice where patients are not only treated, but truly understood, supported, and advocated for every step of the way.

My training in Lyme and tick-borne disease began early in medical school and continued throughout my clinical training. I trained under Richard Horowitz, one of the leading physicians in the field, as well as experienced nurse practitioners John Fallon and Somer Delsignore, gaining extensive exposure to the diagnosis and management of complex tick-borne illness. I later completed my residency at NYU Langone Health, further strengthening my clinical foundation.

As part of our commitment to improving access to care, our practice will include a team of highly trained nurse practitioners whom I personally oversee. By expanding the number of qualified providers treating Lyme and tick-borne disease—an area where there is a significant shortage—we aim to reach more patients in need while maintaining a high standard of individualized, physician-guided care.

At our core, we believe in:

• Taking the time to listen

• Looking beyond one-size-fits-all solutions

• Combining evidence-based and integrative approaches

• And making high-quality care as accessible and affordable as possible

We recognize that for many patients, this journey can be long, frustrating, and isolating. Our goal is to change that—to create a place where patients feel heard, where answers are actively pursued, and where care is delivered with both expertise and empathy.

This is not just a practice—it is a commitment to doing better for patients who deserve more.