Staff

Dr. Barnas is the Medical Director and founder and medical director of both Pelorus TMS and Pelorus Elder & Behavioral Health, with 17 years of experience practicing medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dr. Matthew Barnas Psychiatry and Neurology, Board Certified in both Geriatric and Adult Psychiatry. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Rutgers–New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) medical school, actively teaching medical students and Psychiatry residents.

Dr. Barnas completed a TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) certification program at Duke University. He completed his Geriatric training at Yale University, which included training in nursing home Psychiatry, and learning the associated rules and regulations. Prior, he was the Chief Resident of Adult Psychiatry at NJMS, where he earned the A. Lester Granet annual award for excellence in teaching and leadership. He earned his medical degree from Rutgers-NJMS. He graduated magna cum laude from Seton Hall with a B.S. in Biology and is a diplomate of their liberal arts University Honors Program.

Dr. Barnas’ clinical interests include evaluating and treating geriatric cognitive disorders (ie Alzheimer’s Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia), mood and anxiety disorders, and cognitive disorders in younger adults (ADHD). He is often consulted by other physicians to assist with evaluating and treating psychiatric issues in seniors, including the behavioral aspects of dementia (ie agitation, insomnia, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia).

At the Cognitive Research Center of NJ, he is an investigator in current research trials seeking safer, more effective treatments for Alzheimer’s Dementia. He has presented on these topics at national meetings (AAGP and AAAP) and on behalf of community organizations like United Way, Alzheimer’s Association, and Alzheimer’s NJ. He has also published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry and the book Comprehensive Review for the Psychiatry Boards.

Dr. Barnas is on the medical staff at Buttonwood Behavioral Health Hospital, Morristown Medical Center and Overlook Medical Center.

Dr. Ocasio is an expert in Psychosomatic Medicine, and has been a physician for over 15 years. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry.

Prior to joining Pelorus in 2018, Dr. Ocasio was the Co-Medical Director of the Psychosomatic Medicine (i.e. Consultation Psychiatry) service at Morristown Medical Center for 5 years. Before that, she served at two clinical teaching sites for New Jersey Medical School: Hackensack University Medical Center (Chief of Inpatient Psychiatry) and University Behavioral Health Care (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry).

Dr. Ocasio completed her Psychiatry training, including training in Consultation Psychiatry, at Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School (NJMS). She was the Chief Resident of Psychiatry at NJMS, where she earned the A. Lester Granet annual award for excellence in teaching and leadership. She earned her medical degree from Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Mexico, and a Fifth Pathway Certification from St. Vincent’s Midtown Hospital in New York City. Dr. Ocasio completed her undergraduate education at Universidad de Puerto Rico, with a B.S. in Biology, Pre-Medicine track.

Dr. Ocasio is bilingual English-Spanish, and was previously selected to participate with the Hispanic Center of Excellence at UMDNJ-NJMS.

Bio Coming Soon!