IMTS Global

MEMORIAL - Jeffrey J Ellis MS, PT, MTC, FFCFMT

July 23, 1958 - May 18, 2001

After a three-month struggle with leukemia, Jeffrey J. Ellis passed away on May 18, 2001. Although there is a great sense of loss, Jeff has gone where he has long desired to be, Coram Deo (in the face of God). Jeff was born and grew up in Long Island, NY. In 1981 he married his beautiful wife Barbara Carrino and were blessed with three children, Justin, Jared, and Brianna.

Jeff started his career as an intern of the University at Pennsylvania at St. Charles Hospital in 1980 where he was later hired as a PT and worked for the next 5 years. Jeff moved from there to Southside Hospital in 1985 and helped establish the Southside Health Institute, the beginning of his manual therapy accomplishments. While at Southside Hospital, Jeff also assisted Touro College in establishing their Advanced Master's program in orthopedic physical therapy, a nationally recognized program of excellence. Along with his friend and partner Joseph Benanti, Jeff developed a private practice named Ben-El, (a combination of surnames but more importantly a Hebrew word meaning Son of God). Jeff's life, his Christian faith, and his love of his Savior were testimony to this truth that he was a Son of God. The words from Psalm 1:3 ring true about Jeff's life:

"His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."

Jeff was also a dedicated teacher, teaching spinal orthopedics at SUNY Stony Brook and Touro College, rising to national prominence in his work in the years with Gregg Johnson and the Institute of Physical Art. Jeff developed four courses, Cervical Thoracic Integration, Lumbo Pelvic Integration, and most recently Introduction to Motion Diagnostics and Integrative Prescriptive Exercise taught through his new office and conference center in Holbrook, NY. Integrative Manual Therapy Solutions (IMTS) was Jeff's latest endeavor before his passing and his wife Barbara together with the highly competent IMTS staff plan to continue his legacy. "His work will go on. God will raise up an army of men and women who will carry on. There will be no backward steps because a great leader has fallen."

Jeff was the consummate professional but to his children Justin, Jared, and Brianna he was Dad. Jeff adored his kids and they adored him. Keep them in your prayers for though they are strong together with their mom and their God, they have suffered a great loss.

We as colleagues have lost a great teacher and clinician, but the Ellis and Carrino family have lost a dear son, brother, husband, father and church elder. Let us all give thanks to God for the life of Jeffrey J. Ellis, a man dearly loved by all those who knew him.

If someone asks "Why did he die?" we should reply "we cannot tell, we can say that it is only God who knows when men ought to die." Most men won't accomplish at 75 what he did at 42. As Jeff stood daily in the blaze of the light that beats against the throne the fiercest ray found no flaw in his armour, no stain on his shield. His level of intense work and dedication was all focused on achieving the most complete service to his Master in heaven.

Jeff signed all his letters and emails with the phrase Coram Deo, meaning "in the face of God." Jeff lived his life with this in view, and is now literally living and enjoying every minute of it.

Well done good and faithful servant. We will miss you.

On A Personal Note...