Physiatry Foundation

To create a thriving future for physiatry through funding innovative education and leadership initiatives.

We are guided by the principles of altruism, inclusivity, and academic excellence.

Thank you, APEC!

The creation of the Physiatry Foundation was made possible by the American Physiatric Education Council (APEC). The APEC Board of Directors, who are the editors and leading authors of textbooks in the specialty, and who desire to give back by serving the needs of the field, chose to execute a change and become the Physiatry Foundation as of February 2024. APEC has funded various innovative programs throughout the years, perhaps the most noteworthy being the Kottke Society, a ‘think-tank’ that brings together some of the brightest minds in the specialty to discuss challenges and potential solutions to help shape the future of physiatry.

“APEC has a long history of advancing physiatry that dates back to the 1950s and involves some of the pioneers of our specialty such as Frank H. Krusen, MD and Frederic Kottke, MD, PhD,” describes William Bockenek, MD, former APEC Chair. “Until now, APEC has been solely funded by our board of directors and the royalties of our collective textbooks. Through the Physiatry Foundation, we hope to offer the same opportunity to give back to all of our colleagues, impact many more lives, and together create a future for physiatry that we all wish to see.”

We aim to strengthen existing physiatry leadership programs, launch new initiatives that empower a diverse and talented next generation, and expand physiatry capacity on a global scale.