SECAUCUS AND BEYOND — Meadowlands Hospital in December fired neuroscientist Philip DeFina who was also vice president for rehabilitation at Meadowlands and the scientific adviser for its Rehabilitation Institute and Neuroscience Center, according to the Star Ledger. According to the article, DeFina would have overseen a controversial therapy for children with autism that includes the use of hyperbaric oxygen chambers. The hospital reportedly withdrew its application to the state Department of Health and Senior Services to treat autism using hyperbarics on Nov. 30 after strong opposition.
DeFina’s nomination to the New Jersey Commission for Brain Injury Research was delayed last week by a state Senate panel poised to vote on his nomination to the New Jersey Commission for Brain Injury Research by its chairman and by Gov. Chris Christie’s administration.