Our mission is to bring together leading scientists and clinicians across the domains of regenerative medicine and rehabilitation science to drive the creation and transfer of knowledge associated with the development and translation of technologies that restore function and enhance the quality of life of patients.

We hope to explore initiatives and programs that address great potential to synergize the field of regenerative medicine with rehabilitation science. Combining these fields offers great promise in maximizing physical functioning in individuals after injury, disease, or with aging.

Learn More > physiatry.org/ARRC

Our mission is to create a thriving future for physiatry through funding innovative education and leadership initiatives. 

Our values are based on Altruism, Inclusivity, and Academic Excellence. Our goals are to enhance existing physiatry leadership programs, create brand new initiatives to uplift a diverse and skilled future generation, and to expand physiatry capacity globally. The Physiatry Foundation is laser-focused on innovation – leveraging mentorship, leadership, and scholarship to optimize function for millions of patients.

We are excited to announce our Physiatry Foundation Advisory Bureau (FAB), representing physiatrists and leaders across the country at every career level. FAB will be working to build programs that we think you'll all be proud to be a part of. Please consider making a donation to help us get started! Click on the photos below for more information about each FAB member.

Learn More & Donate > physiatry.org/physiatryfoundation

Spasticity X is a global, immersive, and multidisciplinary educational & networking experience designed to propel swift advancements in the science and treatment of spasticity. From clinicians, researchers, and educators to policy-makers, industry executives, and patients — the leading minds and up-and-coming stars are on a mission to X-out spasticity to improve the lives of millions.

Submit Abstracts & Learn More > physiatry.org/spasticityx

Early on, I believed I was destined for a career in the neurosciences.

Having reveled in brain mapping research for several years at UCLA’s Laboratory of Neuroimaging, Neurology seemed as though it would be an ideal fit until one day in medical school when I encountered a woman with corticobasal degeneration. She was also an avid tennis player, and upon receiving her diagnosis was told to quit the sport she loved. This seemed contrary to everything I had been working for. I had entered medicine to restore and preserve function for those suffering from illness or injury. What a relief to learn this was the very definition of physiatry! I had found my career calling and have not looked back since. 

I have been lucky to have been sponsored by some extraordinary (male and female) mentors. Collectively, their support has yielded incredible opportunities and a strong basis for my career. Nevertheless, a challenge for me, and I believe for many women in academic medicine, has been learning how and when to say “no.” Prioritization is an important skill for personal and professional success. 

I am especially grateful to have been able to help establish a new residency program in PM&R at the University of New Mexico (the state’s first, and premier, PM&R residency program!). It has been a tremendous honor to simultaneously teach and learn from an inspiring group of rising stars in our field. The program has also been a critical step in expanding rehabilitation care for the people of New Mexico. 

I would encourage young women in and out of medicine to “dream big.” No vision is too lofty and allowing oneself to have a vision is the vital first step to realizing one’s potential. Put your vision in writing and revisit it periodically, adjusting as needed. Having a written mission statement provides a focus around which to set priorities. 

Akin to discovering the field of PM&R, I was equally fortunate to discover the AAP.  The organization has become a true source of support and inspiration.  In particular, the Program for Academic Leadership (PAL) afforded an invaluable opportunity to learn from esteemed leaders in the field. I am continually humbled and motivated by my PAL and RFPD Council colleagues and I look forward to ongoing collaboration and volunteerism through the AAP. 

My path towards a career in physiatry was a bit of a winding road...

I have always had a curious nature, and broad interests in many areas. While I felt I always knew I wanted to be a doctor one day (starting with my toy stethoscope kit around age 4!), I also found myself fascinated by music, history, and different cultures throughout my life. My fascination with biology and how things work led me to pursue my Bachelor degree in human physiology. I also completed a minor in history to satisfy my wonder of why things are the way they are.

During medical school, I found that I was keen and interested in many different clinical areas and had difficulty deciding on a specific path. I think what I found most exciting was meeting new people regularly, having the privilege to hear their stories, and then having the challenge to help them meet their goals and improve their situation. I enjoyed working with folks from all ages and all walks of life, and initially aimed for a career in internal medicine or pediatrics due to the broad nature of these fields. During the residency match process, I did not match during the first round and it was only after this that I discovered physiatry as a specialty. A close mentor identified my interests in longitudinal care, functional problem-solving, and chronic conditions, and suggested I consider this for the second round of the match (and luckily there were spots!). It was a leap of faith when I ranked physiatry as my first choice at that stage, but I am so thankful for how it worked out and I haven’t looked back since. Once I met other physiatrists at my first CAPM&R and AAP conferences as a resident, I knew I was in the right place and that I had “found my people!"

It can be difficult to reflect on the barriers I’ve faced as a woman in medicine, as certain experiences are hard to describe and put into words. Sometimes it’s being called “the lady doctor” instead of “Dr. Yu” or trying to stretch out all of my 5’2” frame in the presence of taller and often male colleagues and to own my space in the room. You may feel that you need to put on armor or a persona to be accepted in certain circles in medicine, and I think the confidence not to need this armor builds with time and experience. An added challenge is balancing my “doctor” persona and “mom” persona. Many people describe challenges of work/life balance; having young children as a physician certainly takes juggling. Physicians do not always have the same benefits for maternity leave as other professions, and different practice contexts may lead to more pressure to return to work early. I have memories of trying to pump for my 5-month-old while sitting in the dictation room at the hospital and hoping no one would barge in! With that said, I am so very thankful to my very supportive husband and two amazing boys (now 7 and 9), who allow me to pour my energy and passion into my work but also help me to focus on ensuring I have time and energy to enjoy life with them (including all important hockey coaching!).

On a professional basis, my proudest accomplishments are the ones where I have had the opportunity to make space for others to succeed and to have their voices heard. This includes hearing from my patients on how they feel empowered in their recoveries from devastating injuries and medical events to move forward and get back to activities that bring them joy and fulfillment. It also includes being engaged with students, residents, and younger clinicians/faculty in mentorship and sponsorship, and watching them achieve their goals and grow their careers.

I have a couple of key tips for young women entering medicine, and for our young women physiatrists in training and in practice:

1) It’s ok to say no! In medicine, and particularly academic medicine, you will be approached to participate in many different potential clinical innovations, exciting projects, or important committees. There is frequently a fear (especially early in your career) of disappointing someone or missing out, or that you need to work harder to prove you belong. Know that it is definitely ok to decline something if it doesn’t fit your values, your goals, and your available workload. While you want to be open to opportunities as they come up, it is equally important to protect your time so you can be successful with the projects you are committed to and are important to you.

2) Be compassionate to yourself, and those around you. Careers in medicine, and especially in physiatry, can be very rewarding but equally demanding. Be kind to yourself, your patients and their families, your learners, and your colleagues, and you will be able to better navigate the challenges and achievements you will encounter throughout your career. 

The partnership between AAP and the CAPM&R has been a great opportunity in recent years. It has allowed me and my Canadian colleagues to build relationships across the border, and for our organizations to share knowledge and resources with each other. Joining the AAP and adopting the AJPMR as our official journal has provided exposure for me to new and exciting innovations and research in physiatry from across the world. I remember attending my first AAP meeting in Daytona, Florida in 2006 as a brand-new resident – I was glassy-eyed and astounded at the amazing field I had just joined. Fast forward to the current day, and I look forward to meeting with new colleagues and building more connections with everyone in California next year at AAP 2023!

I grew up as a multisport athlete in a small community. I saw how sports brought everyone together and entered medical school planning to pursue a career in sports medicine...

I strongly considered a career in orthopedic surgery, but I realized that I enjoyed seeing patients in clinic more than most surgeons. I was exposed to physiatry relatively early in medical school and really enjoyed the focus on the musculoskeletal and neurological systems with the goal of returning patients to optimal function. Additionally, this sounds cliché, but, I really felt like I fit in well in the physiatric community. Fortunately, I was given excellent advice while in medical school –

“You need to really enjoy the following about your chosen specialty:

a) the patients

b) reading about relevant topics, and

c) your colleagues.”

Ultimately, physiatry was an excellent fit for me and prepared me well for a sports medicine fellowship.  

Fortunately, I do not think I have experienced too many major barriers, but I have had to navigate some hurdles. In the last several years, many organizations within and outside of medicine have been making significant efforts to improve diversity and I certainly have benefited from the resulting changes. However, it is frustrating to hear comments about how a woman was given an opportunity only because it “looks good” and not because they were the most qualified. Additionally, like many women, I’ll occasionally feel like an imposter. This becomes more challenging on days when multiple patients will ask me if I am “old enough to be a physician” or question my qualifications. These microaggressions can add up, and I have to make a conscious effort not to ruminate.

It was an honor to receive the UPMC PM&R Resident Excellence in Teaching Award during my first year as an attending. During that year, I developed a longitudinal Ultrasound-Guided Cadaveric Injection course and an Art of Leadership in Medicine course. I find it very rewarding to be able to make a positive impact on trainees and lift others up around me.

Building a supportive network of mentors, sponsors, and colleagues is critical. You should not only find people to go to for advice, but demonstrate that you are committed by following through, meeting deadlines, and helping others advance their careers when able. Women should also seek out men in addition to women as mentors and sponsors, as it is helpful to hear diverse viewpoints and learn from others’ experiences. Additionally, for better or worse, in male-dominated fields like sports medicine, having support of a senior male colleague may open doors that help you to advance your career.

I’ve met so many fantastic mentors and colleagues through the AAP who have offered advice, career opportunities and support. I would not be where I am today without having served on the AAP Resident/Fellow Council and Early Career Council, as well as attending the annual meeting where I have had the opportunity to lead sessions, present my research, and learn from other successful women in physiatry through events like the Women in Medicine Workshop.

Choosing a career in physiatry was almost an obvious choice when I look back at my life's journey to where I am.

Although at times it felt like a whirlwind of uncertainty. I completed a dual BS and MS program in Athletic training at FIU. I always knew I had an interest in medicine but as a Division I track and field athlete competing in the heptathlon, the idea of declaring Premed as my major was quite overwhelming. Athletic training provided me with hands-on experience in the sport medicine and with the rehabilitation process after sport injuries.My decision to pursue medicine was influenced by the devastating 2010 Earthquake in Haiti that left me wondering, how can I help? Being of Haitian heritage, I was drawn to wanting to help my people.  My moment of clarity where I truly understood my path and purpose was when I volunteered in Haiti. I worked alongside physicians and therapists in treating patients with SCI, amputation and orthopedic injuries. Speaking Haitian Creole allowed me to connect with patients and hear firsthand how their physical impairments (some permanent) affected their lives. I came back from Haiti changed. I was determined to pursue Medicine as a career and specifically the specialty that would allow me to work with this patient population and eventually return to Haiti one day and help.

The barriers I've faced as a woman have honestly begun in my own thoughts. Feeling like I was possibly less than because of my skin color on top of it all. It’s so easy to “get in your open head” and set these barriers in front of your success.  I’ve come to realize, once I worked on moving past some of these insecurities, I gained support from both genders. I am fortunate to be training in a program where, uniquely, all my co-residents are women and have had the opportunity come across amazing women in leadership within my institution and through AAP that are so inspiring.

My proudest accomplishments have been graduating from medical school as a first generation Haitian-Canadian, the first doctor in my family and matching into PM&R as an IMG (which really seemed impossible to me, at the time).

For any young woman joining medicine: be unapologetic about what drives your passion. Obstacles and even failure will come your way but always remember your WHY. Look for people who have accomplished things that inspire you and pick their brain. Having a mentor is so important. You are not alone!

Both as a medical student and resident, AAP provided  numerous resources for my success. As a medical student, it  gave me the opportunity to explore firsthand what physiatry  was about and an avenue an IMG to connect with residency  programs that I then felt were out of my league. As a resident, AAP has allowed me to give back as a mentor to medical students. It’s also provided resources to help advance my career from educational resources to leadership opportunities.

I wanted a career in physiatry because I believe strongly in teamwork and utilizing the strengths of everyone on the team to maximize someone’s potential for recovery.

The team-based aspect of care for me was the most important part because ever since I was young playing on sports teams, I loved being a part of something bigger than me.

I have been extraordinarily fortunate to have worked in environments that has always embraced and promoted women as leaders, but you can never escape external perceptions that you encounter on a day to day basis. When I travel with the Women’s National Team, I always introduce myself to the emergency medical staff on the field. If I go up to them with the head athletic trainer for the team, who is a 6’2” man in his mid 50s, the ambulance crew and medical staff on the field that I don’t know often assume he is the physician and I am an assistant. This happens time and time again – but I don’t let it bother me. The more and more people I meet in this capacity, the more likely it is that the next time a female physician walks up to them with a tall male athletic trainer, these people may think twice about who is who. The only way to “win” in these situations is to keep on putting yourself out there to be seen. For those who know me well, they will tell you that I don’t love a lot of attention on me – that is not why I do what I do. But I find that it is necessary to put my face and name out there as a female sports medicine physiatrist so that we can break stereotypes of who can be a head team physician and show a younger generation of what we can really do!

I have a lot of degrees, I have a number of awards, I had a life-sized statue made of me by the IF/THEN Ambassador program and I have a World Cup gold medal – yet the thing that makes me the proudest is when a former medical student, resident, or fellow of mine shoots me an email/text or calls me on the phone to tell me about a patient they saw in which they heard my voice telling them to do something. Education is the greatest gift we can give each other. By far, I am proudest of all the trainees I have the privilege to influence throughout the course of their careers. It is easily the best part of my job. Find your grit and pursue the things that you want for yourself. Don’t sit back and assume it will all happen eventually. If you want to have a spectacular career, you can’t just do what everyone else is doing – because everyone does not get a spectacular career. The best piece of advice I got from one of my mentors, Joel Press, MD was to “Exceed expectations”. At first glance this seems like a hard thing to do, but once you get into it you realize that oftentimes it is not all that difficult to exceed expectations because most people do what everyone else is doing. The AAP has been a place where I have been able to grow in my leadership skills. Early on in my career I co-directed the Resident/Fellows Workshop at the Annual meeting for a number of years, which allowed me to work on my medical education skills and connect with medical educators across the country. I have been a member of the RMSTP and benefited from the research mentorship offered through that program. Most recently, I served as the co-director for the Women in Academic Physiatry Workshop held at the Annual Meeting for the last 3 years. The AAP has been a wonderful place to connect and work with colleagues from across the country.

I was drawn to medicine because it is a great way to apply my interest in science and evidence-based research to improve health and function.

I was always interested in both normal and abnormal functions of the brain and was fortunate to learn about Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) early in medical school. It was the perfect fit for me as we were able to help people recover from their new functional impairments after traumatic and non-traumatic injuries.

Even though I entered medical school at a time when women were more equally represented in medical school classes, females were not as encouraged to pursue STEM careers when I was growing up. I had developed a strong interest and aptitude in Mathematics very early in grade school and remember being encouraged to focus more time in subjects like English or Reading (which I did not find as interesting) because those were the subjects for “girls" and “boys" do math and science.

I was so honored to receive the James T. McDeavitt Teaching Award from our residents in only my second year as an attending. I love being able to teach the residents about the evidence that supports what we do to care for our patients, and I enjoy watching their development throughout the years to become independent clinicians.

Take advantage of every opportunity to network and meet people within the field. Conferences, such as the AAP Annual Meeting, are great opportunities to speak with leaders in the field. People are usually excited to talk about what they do. One tip for initiating conversation is to take notes of things that you want to learn more about at each talk. Even if you are too nervous to ask a question in the lecture halls, you can ask the questions if you see the speaker at any time in the conference or send an email to them after the conference. Additionally, make sure you have a good CV that is updated frequently. I update mine every time I have something that should be added. That way it is ready to be shared at all times since you never know when opportunities will present.

I have been involved with the AAP throughout my residency and fellowship training, and this has continued as a junior faculty. I have been impressed by the networking and mentorship opportunities through AAP, which have helped advance my career.

Carol Vandenakker Albanese, MD has held many titles including Professor, Residency Program Director, and Faculty Development Director for UC Davis Health's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Her clinical interests are in diagnosis and non-operative care of spine conditions and problems related to sequelae of polio. Dr. Vandenakker Albanese currently is part of the Global Academic Committee at the AAP. Learn more about her career – in her words!

As a child, my love of reading and learning lead to an interest in science, health and wellness.

I continued this pursuit in college, majoring in exercise physiology.  My undergrad major gave me a great background in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition, and sports.  I have always been squeamish and so never considered medicine as an option until working with physicians in the exercise lab.  I soon realized that I could best pursue my interests through medicine if I could make it through the “blood and guts” of medical school.  Of course, my interest in health and exercise led me to physical medicine and rehabilitation as a specialty.

I entered the field of medicine in a different era.  Medical school classes were about 10% women and what we would now label sexual harassment was quite common.  Very few leadership positions were held by women and mentors were scarce.  Fortunately, I was able to establish relationships with academic leaders from around the country through attending AAP meetings and received frequent informal mentoring through those connections. 

My greatest joy and sense of accomplishment in my clinical practice has been the opportunity to establish Post-Polio clinics, first at University of Miami and then at UC Davis.  My weekly clinics have provided me the opportunity to meet hundreds of polio survivors, each one unique and fascinating.  I have learned not just advanced exam and gait analysis skills from my patients, but a deeper understanding of the psychological impact of societal norms and medical care delivery systems.  My greatest non-clinical accomplishment is the successful training of multiple PM&R residents over 16 years as Residency Program Director at UC Davis.

Physiatry is a great field with numerous options for continued growth throughout a career.  My advice to young physiatrists is to stay open to learning new things and finding new ways to apply your skills and knowledge to different populations.  Unexpected options and challenges will face you.  Learn to know yourself- your strengths, weakness, likes, priorities, etc. and you will know when an opportunity is right for you.  Don’t be afraid of new adventures, but also don’t overextend.  Learning when to say “no” is essential to keeping your life balanced.  Engage multiple mentors and trusted friends who can advise you in different areas of life and career.  Find ways to give back and contribute to the field and the next generation.

Engaging in a national society like the AAP provides multiple avenues to continue to learn and excel in your academic endeavors.  I have benefitted from the educational programs, opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and serving as a mentor to young academic physicians through the PAL program.  My latest venture is the Global Academic Committee- exploring how we can help develop PM&R across the globe!

Three life experiences converged to lay my path to medicine and physiatry.

From as early as I can remember, my parents taught me to observe the people around me and appreciate how they achieve single tasks, such as ambulation, that are so often taken for granted -- some people move quickly and some slowly, some people use equipment and some don’t, some people rely on a little bit of direct human support and others rely on a lot. There are infinite ways humans can accomplish their goals and many ways of improving function and quality of life that are yet to be invented.

My grandfather’s first cousin, Norman Geschwind, was an esteemed behavioral neurologist. Although Norman died when I was young, stories about him stayed with me. What mattered most to his patients and colleagues was his demeanor, his sense of humor, his search for understanding, and his unwavering commitment to mentorship. During college, I worked in his former lab, mentored by his colleague Dr. Albert Galaburda, who brought Norman’s legacy to life for me. He shared new stories about Norman and provided me with attentive, thoughtful research and career guidance.

When I was 11, my father developed primary progressive multiple sclerosis. The clinician who changed my dad’s life – and therefore my family’s and mine – the most was Dr. Adam Stein. Dr. Stein brought my dad from being non-ambulatory to zipping around in a power wheelchair, all the while being honest, kind, and understanding.

By the time I got to medical school, I aspired to be a devoted problem solver, a beloved mentor, and to do for others what Dr. Stein had done for my family.

I find it deeply satisfying to extend the impact of my role models by sharing forward the wisdom and qualities they have shared with me. I see it as a tribute to my parents when my kids see possibility in every human being they encounter; a tribute to my career advisors when medical students and residents entrust me with a heart-to-heart about their family and career planning.

As an academic physiatrist, one of my main goals has been to empower future clinicians to provide patients with disabilities the highest standard of inclusive, equitable care. At Harvard Medical School, I have overseen the development and implementation of a required longitudinal disability curriculum, designing each element in concert with students, faculty, and community stakeholders. Our medical students are now for the first time systematically learning to provide care and advocate for patients with all types of disabilities. We cover topics from implicit bias to accessible clinical encounters to the impact of ableism on clinical care and research. I am energized in this work by the support and mentorship of my very talented colleagues in the AAP’s Medical Student Educators Council, and I am excited to be a part of the growing national momentum for disability education in healthcare.

An additional professional goal, as one of the relatively few physiatrists trained in the specialty of HPM (hospice and palliative medicine), is to increase attention to palliative care within physiatry. A basic set of palliative care skills, including the ability to collaborate with palliative care specialists, can enable physiatrists to optimize care for our most seriously ill and injured patients. I recently led a national study to characterize the status of palliative care education across PM&R residency programs, to help us understand how the physiatry workforce is currently trained. Last year, I became chair of the AAP’s inaugural Palliative Care/Physiatry Task Force, an incredibly experienced team that is now developing recommendations and tools to elevate PM&R-relevant palliative care education for both trainees and practicing clinicians.

A highlight of my daily work is serving as faculty advisor for three Harvard Medical School student groups – a disability curriculum and advocacy group, a health conditions/chronic illness/disability/allies student identity group, and our PM&R student interest group. Through the lens of the students’ work, the future of healthcare for patients and clinicians with disabilities is bright. A subgroup of the disability curriculum and advocacy group recently spearheaded a photonarrative exhibit centering the voices of individuals with disabilities. It was displayed at Mass General Hospital to celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and is also available for viewing online: https://www.massgeneral.org/visit/accessibility/this-is-me

Learn from everyone around you. Learn of course what the physicians training you will need to teach you. But learn also from the non-physician clinicians who will be working in the same spaces as you – invite them to share the types of information they gather and how they approach their work. Learn from your peers, who all come to medicine with important and informative experiences. Ask your patients about the strategies they use to live their day-to-day lives. Their responses can turn into valuable suggestions for your next patients. And ask the people you love and value in your personal life what they need from you as you develop an ever-evolving work-life synergy. I am endlessly grateful to my husband and kids for so patiently helping me try to find said work-life synergy. 

Throughout my career, the AAP has consistently provided me opportunities to develop new skills and relationships that enrich my work and expand my reach as a medical educator. It is the best feeling to have 'found my people’! Thank you, AAP!

CALLING ALL PHYSIATRY TRAINEES!

We are seeking applications from Residents and Fellows to contribute to the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AJPM&R), as Section Editors. These roles would include reviewing and critiquing submissions to the Resident-Fellow Corner under the supervision of an Associate Editor, Dinesh Kumbhare, MD, PhD.

This is a great opportunity to add to your CV with a flexible time commitment of approximately 10-20 hours per month.

As an Editor of the Resident-Fellow Section, you will review and provide constructive comments for 1-3 articles monthly and see these articles through to publication. Selected Editors will have the option to remain on the Editorial Staff until the completion of their residency/fellowship training (2-3 years).

Eligibility Requirements include:

• As of July 1, 2020, you must be a PGY-3 or PGY-4 resident at a ACGME accredited PM&R residency program
• Have prior research experience
• Have an active AAP membership

We have extended the application deadline to Friday, June 18th at 11:59 ET. Learn more and APPLY TODAY!

Burnout in medicine is commonly defined by the following three criteria:

• Emotional exhaustion
• Depersonalization (cynicism or callousness)
• Loss of personal accomplishment (lack of work fulfillment)

These combined detrimental effects raise serious alarms relating to individual physician health and well-being; specialty cohesiveness including recruitment, retention and reputation; as well as organizational growth potential.

New Collaborative Research Study

The aggregate PM&R responses from prior research do not drill down into the specialty enough to assist in identifying actionable interventions. Therefore, to gain further insight into the causes of burnout in physiatrists, the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R), the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR), and the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) have entered into a collaborative project to address these issues. The tri-organizational effort will initiate and fund a research project—designed and conducted by the Stanford Medicine WellMD Center—to identify both cross-cutting issues as well as PM&R-specific drivers of burnout that can be translated into actionable and impactful interventions by the partnering organizations.

“The Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) could not be more eager to collaborate with ABPMR, AAPM&R, and the Stanford Medicine WellMD Center on this crucial project,” shared Gwendolyn Sowa, MD, PhD, President of the AAP’s Board of Trustees. “The impact of burnout in physiatry has been well documented, and it is important for our field to quickly and substantially reverse this alarming trend. This study is the first of many actionable steps to come in addressing burnout in a collaborative, coordinated, and consistent manner.”

“I cannot think of a more important issue for the tri-organizations to tackle. Burnout is a tragedy that impacts physicians in a wide range of professional settings throughout their professional life-cycle. We all want to ‘do something.’ Working collaboratively, that something can be thoughtful, data-driven and effective,” said James T. McDeavitt, Chair, ABPMR Board of Directors.

“Representing the three major physiatry organizations in the United States, this workgroup seeks to gain knowledge and insight in order to offer physiatrists strategies to minimize the effects of burnout and enhance wellness, no matter what subspecialty, geographic location, or type of professional environment in which physiatrists work. These strategies must be more than just recommendations to reduce stress and ‘optimize’ personal work-life balance,” said Stuart M. Weinstein, MD, AAPM&R President.

The primary goals of this project are to determine variability in the experience of burnout in different physical medicine and rehabilitation subspecialties and the factors that contribute to burnout at both the individual and system level, as well as to identify and inform development of interventions to reduce burnout and improve professional fulfillment among physiatrists.

Such interventions could include centrally-provided resources that enable physiatrists to pursue self-assessment and develop individual approaches and skills to promote well-being, as well as efforts to catalyze organization-level efforts and guidance for local actions by organizations and practices to help optimize the environment. They may also involve utilization of society-provided activities to equip physicians with content knowledge and insights into improvement methodology to drive progress in these domains, as well as creating offerings that help individuals identify and develop new approaches to cultivate professional fulfillment and improve well-being.

The study will employ qualitative interviews, focus groups, surveys and data analysis to inform the design, development and evaluation of interventions by AAPM&R, ABPMR and AAP to mitigate burnout and promote professional fulfillment.

Three Aims

This multi-phased research project will have three aims:

• Define the variability in the experience of occupational burnout among physiatrists and how the factors that contribute to it vary by practice setting and sub-discipline.
• Identify actionable domains at the individual, practice, and professional society level to reduce burnout and improve professional fulfillment among physiatrists.
• Identify the modifiable individual characteristics and behaviors of physiatrists who have high professional fulfillment.

A project workgroup—comprised of up to two member representatives from each organization, as well as the executive directors from each organization—has been established to address administrative issues, research and potential uses of information from the research initiative.

The workgroup includes:

• DJ Kennedy, MD; Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC)
• Sabrina Paganoni, MD; Spaulding Rehabilitation Network/Harvard Medical School
• Dani Perret, MD; University of California, Irvine
• Jim Sliwa, DO; Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
• Stuart Weinstein, MD; University of Washington
• Carolyn Kinney, MD; ABPMR Executive Director
• Tiffany Knowlton; AAP Executive Director
• Tom Stautzenbach; AAPM&R Executive Director and CEO

Watch for updates on this important research study in your association’s communications.

The fatal shootings of eight people in Atlanta last week, including six Asian women, comes on the heels of a recent increase of attacks against AAPIs. Stop AAPI Hate, a coalition that tracks and responds to incidents of AAPI hate, received nearly 3,800 reports between March 2020 and February 2021. While there is a marked increase in incidents, there has been a silent history of violence against AAPIs for generations. There can be no equanimity for any of us so long as violence born of bigotry and xenophobia is present in our lives. We must confront this ignorance with information and education.

Caring for people who are vulnerable is the crux of our specialty. As we have previously stated, the AAP’s Board of Trustees and newly-formed Diversity & Community Engagement Committee are working to develop and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our association, the field of physiatry, the healthcare system, and society as a whole. We are committed to being purposeful in addressing racism and trauma. One way is by shining a spotlight on stories of and solutions to racism and bias within the physiatry community, such as this one published in the Spring 2021 issue of our member magazine. Our Diversity & Community Engagement Committee has also already hit the ground running, so stay tuned for important goals and initiatives.

We urge the physiatry community to do their part by:

• creating socially and emotionally safe spaces for patients, colleagues, and trainees to express threats they have received;
• incorporating diversity training into medical education curricula;
• challenging systems of oppression;
• seeking bystander intervention training; and
• providing safety resources to everyone, especially those who are underrepresented in medicine

As always, if there is anything we can do to make you feel more safe, heard, and included, do not hesitate to share.

Gwendolyn Sowa, MD, PhD, Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Pittsburgh/UPMC and Director of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, has been elected president of the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP), the largest membership society for academic physiatry, at their 2021 Virtual Conference. Dr. Sowa succeeds Adam Stein, MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of PM&R at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/ Northwell. Dr. Sowa will serve a two-year term focused on building resources, relationships and the future of academic physiatry.

"We have been very fortunate to have Dr. Stein gracefully lead us through the most tumultuous of times,” said Dr. Sowa. “With his calm guidance and the commitment of our entire team, our organization emerges even stronger and better poised to address ongoing challenges and opportunities. In what promises to be a future of uncertainties and rapid change, we will embrace our differences and leverage our relationships to serve as a resource for each other. In supporting the AAP’s core mission – to mentor, discover and lead – we will reinforce the essential role of Physiatry in our academic institutions and in our communities. With everything that we have learned in the past year, it is with eager anticipation that I look forward to helping the AAP to thrive and continue to be an indispensable resource for our members."

Dr. Sowa has been an active member of the AAP since her residency training in 2002, including serving as Chair of the Governance Committee and Research Committee. She has also served in other roles including the AAP’s Chairs Council, Women in Physiatry Task Force, Legislative Affairs Committee, Rehabilitation Medicine Scientist Training Program (RMSTP) and the Board of Trustees. She is nationally and internationally renowned for leading and mentoring diverse groups of trainees, physicians and scientists.

Dr. Sowa also serves as Co-Director of the Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic and Spine Research, and Medical Director of UPMC Total Care - Musculoskeletal Health. She completed her PhD in Biochemistry and her PM&R residency at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Northwestern University. She has served as a clinician-scientist in PM&R for over 15 years and has mentored more than 90 trainees in research and career development. Throughout her career, she has authored and co-authored over 100 original research publications and 40 book chapters and reviews, and given over 200 national presentations and numerous lectureships. She has received over 20 local, national and international awards, including a K12 award through RMSTP, the AAP’s Early Career Academician Award, the Electrode Store Best Paper Award, UPMC’s Teacher of the Year Award, International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine Biology Prize Award, the PASSOR Legacy Award and more, and has been an invited participant in NIH and National Academy of Medicine workshops and symposia.

Dr. Sowa is joined by seven newly elected members of the AAP’s Board of Trustees.

• Christopher Visco, MD was elected as the Secretary and Treasurer on the AAP’s Board of Trustees for 2021-2023. Dr. Visco is the PM&R Residency Program Director, Vice Chair of Education and Sports Medicine Fellowship Director at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University.
• Pablo Celnik, MD, PhD, Chair and Professor of PM&R at Johns Hopkins Hospital, was elected as a Member-at-Large.
• Michael Lee, MD, MHA, Chair and Professor of PM&R at Baylor College of Medicine, was elected as a Member-at-Large.
• Monica-Verduzco-Gutierrez, MD, Chair and Professor of PM&R at UT Health San Antonio, was elected as Chair of the new Diversity & Community Engagement Committee.
• Danielle Powell, MD, Interim Chair and Associate Professor of PM&R at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was elected as a Member-at-Large.
• Preeti Raghavan, MD, the Sheikh Khalifa Stroke Institute Endowed Chair and Associate Professor of PM&R at Johns Hopkins Hospital, was elected as a Member-at-Large.
• Richard Wilson, MD, MS, Vice Chair and Associate Professor of PM&R and Division Director of Neurological Rehabilitation at Case Western Reserve University/ MetroHealth Medical Center, was elected as a Member-at-Large.

“This is an excellent step forward in further enhancing collaboration between the CAPM&R and both the AAP and the AJPM&R,” reports Larry Robinson, MD, President-Elect of CAPM&R. “We are honored to have the AJPM&R as the official journal of the CAPM&R and we are delighted for our members to have access to the wonderful benefits of the AAP. Physiatrists in each country bring diverse strengths and experiences to the field of PM&R and working together will continue to enhance our knowledge and skills.”

“This partnership highlights the AAPs commitment to strengthen academic excellence in PM&R around the world,” shares Adam Stein, MD, President of the Association of Academic Physiatrists. “The union of these two societies is an exciting step in building a community of physiatrists that collaborates across borders.”

As mentioned above, AJPM&R, the AAP’s official medical journal, will now also become the CAPM&R’s official medical journal. As it relates to the AJPM&R, both AAP & CAPM&R members will now have equal membership access to the following: digital access to every issue of the journal, increased opportunity to serve on AJPM&R’s Editorial Board, and Annual Meeting abstracts will be published in a journal supplement. AJPM&R is also the official medical journal for the Asociación Médica Latinoamericana de Rehabilitación (AMLAR). In addition, CAPM&R members will now get full access to AAP member benefits, including its quarterly member magazine, mentoring program, Virtual Campus, discounted rates to its Annual Meeting, and more.

“This collaboration is very positive for both societies,” explains Walter Frontera, MD, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. “The members of the CAPM&R will receive a high-quality journal and the contributions of our Canadian colleagues to the AJPM&R will strengthen the Journal and our knowledge base.”

The Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) is a professional society with a mission to create the future of academic physiatry through mentorship, leadership, and discovery. Its members are leading physicians, researchers, educators and in-training physiatrists from 40 countries. The AAP holds an Annual Meeting, produces a leading medical journal in rehabilitation: AJPM&R, and leads a variety of programs and activities that support and enhance academic physiatry. To learn more about the association and the specialty of physiatry, visit physiatry.org and follow us on Twitter at @AAPhysiatrists.

The Canadian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a member service organization that represents Canadian physiatrists and promotes their pursuit of excellence in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. The CAPM&R was founded in 1952 and has over 400 members today. The CAPM&R is an Accredited Provider for the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. To learn more, visit capmr.ca and follow us on Twitter at @CAPM_R.

I received my baccalaureate degree in Nursing and worked as a nurse prior to attending medical school. While I loved nursing, I realized that I enjoyed decision-making in patient management and that I could best fit my love of health care and personal characteristics through medicine. Interestingly, I spent one day in a rehabilitation hospital during nursing school and thought I was headed to become a rehabilitation nurse! Although I tried to talk myself into neurology or psychiatry, I knew I was home the first day of my PM&R rotation (at Moss Rehab).

My biggest barrier as a woman in medicine has always been my own self-evaluation and strong perspective of imposter syndrome. I really had to learn how to communicate my achievements and outcomes to others – I always tended to just put my head down and work.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as Chair at UT Southwestern. There has been no greater accomplishment than having the chance to mentor and grow talented young faculty and trainees. Also, I have been fortunate to work with many talented researchers and to be able to grow the evidence-base for rehabilitation with my work and through the evolution of research at UT Southwestern.

The AAP has been a steady north star of where the best and brightest of physiatry can be found – it is a great place to find a mentor, a research or clinical colleague, or a lifelong friend.

If you have chosen physiatry, congratulations! What a great field! Women, recognize that the feelings of doubt that you experience are your superpower, not a weakness. It allows you to reach out to form the best teams, to gather the best information, and to be the best physician.

The last thing I’d like to share are my thanks to my women advisors/ mentor/ friends – women like Diana Cardenas, Barbara De Lateur, Elizabeth Sandel, Karen Kowalske, Flora Hammond, Michelle Gittler, Lynn Gerber, and so many others.

Growing up, I enjoyed studying the humanities and sciences, and, for me, medicine brought them together perfectly. Every patient is like a character in a novel and as physicians we have the opportunity to intersect with their lives, hopefully make a difference, and in return be altered forever. I chose Physiatry because it is about pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve as humans – whether it is in the recovery of everyday function after neurological damage, or in the return to sport and performance. Every single day as a physiatrist has been immensely rewarding.

The AAP has been instrumental in my career. It has been my academic home since I became a resident member in 1999! The AAP sponsored Rehabilitation Medicine Scientist Training Program (RMSTP) provided me with mentorship and networking opportunities that have been critical to my becoming a physician-scientist. The Program for Academic Leadership (PAL) gave me the confidence and the skills to explore leadership opportunities. Every meeting is a source of inspiration, a time to make new friends, renew existing ones, and learn from one another.

I think many women have had to choose between a demanding career and a family life, whereas it is often expected that men can have both. I have been very fortunate to have terrific role models, supporters, and mentors without whom I might have perceived more barriers. Strong women in my life, my mother and grandmother, instilled in me the belief that I could be whatever I wanted to be. My husband and sons have been incredibly supportive of my career as a physician-scientist, and my mentors have appreciated the importance of family. I hope that it gets easier for women to be able to pursue their dream careers without giving up on the other joys of life.

In regards to my proudest moments, I am very proud of my patients who broke the barriers of what was thought to be possible – it attests to the amazing potential of the body to heal, and the value of long-term rehabilitation. I am also immensely proud of the young people I have had the chance to mentor. I have learnt a lot from them along the way and hope that I have had a chance to make a difference in their lives too.

For young women pursuing medicine, go forth and pursue your dreams - the barriers will melt away. Find people who believe in you, they will open doors for you. Most importantly don’t give up on yourself. Stay focused on a few important things. Nothing else matters. So, choose wisely.

My father was a doctor and I was fascinated by a career and lifestyle that calls you to be present for people at critical times in their life. This is a privileged relationship and why I’ve always wanted to be a physician. Physiatry was a great fit because of its focus on the whole person. I got the academic bug from my mom, who was a teacher (as were her parents). My grandparents also owned a private school and had an amazing collection of books.

Growing up, I loved spending time with my grandmother, doing research on a variety of topics by looking them up in their encyclopedias and making connections between books. To this day, I love reading books and papers in print! A mentor from the AAP once told me that she never goes anywhere without a paper copy of a medical or scientific journal in her purse. I have done that ever since and it served me well. I got some of my best ideas reading papers while waiting for my kids to finish their soccer practice or other activities. Every minute counts when you are busy as a scientist mom!

When I was a resident, I had the good fortune of being mentored by a phenomenal physician scientist, Dr. Lisa Krivickas, who later died of ALS. She mentored me throughout her illness, created a bridge between physiatry and neurology, and encouraged me to continue her work in the ALS research community.

Since then, I learned and continue to learn from several AAP members who are exceptional role models in academic physiatry. In particular, I would like to thank Dr. Ross Zafonte and all the faculty at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital for being a source of daily inspiration.

I will also be forever grateful to Dr. Mike Boninger and Dr. John Whyte for their mentorship in the AAP’s RMSTP, and to all the RMSTP faculty and peers for a phenomenal learning experience. Simply stated, I would not be here had it not been for the RMSTP. The award came at a critical time in my career when I was starting new projects, generating preliminary data, and applying for additional funding. The RMSTP allowed me to dedicate protected time to research while still continuing to see ALS patients in the clinic. During the RMSTP, I received mentored training and a chance to learn how to be a physician-scientist, learning how to design and lead large scale ALS clinical trials (thanks to Dr. Merit Cudkowicz, an extraordinary mentor!).

Early in my career, a mentor told me that in order to be successful in academic medicine one needs to be able to work collaboratively with others. I find that to be quite true. I love learning from others and making connections! All my research projects are the fruit of active collaborations across disciplines and across fields with input from stakeholders from academia, industry and the patient community. I find it refreshing and energizing whenever we have a multidisciplinary team meeting and the product is something we could have not achieved, or even imagined, had we worked in a silo.

The goal of my career is to discover new treatments for ALS and innovate the way in which we care for patients in the clinic. My biggest accomplishment so far has been the CENTAUR trial, a trial of AMX0035 for people with ALS. We designed the trial in 2015 as an innovative collaboration between academia and industry, with funding from the ice bucket challenge. The trial gave positive results: ALS participants who were treated with AMX0035 retained physical function longer than those who received placebo. This means that they retained more independence with activities of daily living that are important to patients such the ability to walk, to talk, and to hold a pen. This is very hopeful news for people with ALS and their families, especially because we were able to see a treatment effect in a relatively short period of time. The trial results were recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine and received a lot of media attention – it’s phenomenal to have been part of this clinical development program from day one and to continue to work on next steps with industry and regulatory authorities.

For young women entering medicine, my biggest recommendation is to look at the totality of the evidence. As we do in research, when we take any steps in our career or personal lives, it is important to look at the big picture and nurture all aspects. In my mind, the main antidote to burnout is devoting enough time to those activities that provide meaning and motivation, both at work and at home.

Anne Felicia Ambrose, MD is an Associate Professor and Director of Research at Montefiore Medical Center/ Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She has been an AAP member since 2012, and has held many positions within the organization. This year, she was awarded the AMA Inspiration Award for her work with women physicians. Learn more about her career – in her words!

Growing up, I was gently nudged into medicine because of my academic performance. It was only when I joined medicine and was able to truly experience the field that I realized that I had found my life’s calling. I toyed with many specialties during training, but was most fascinated by neurological and cognitive disorders. Physiatry seemed like a great fit. It provided the intellectual stimulation and the gratification of tangible functional results that could occur in a relatively short time.

Once I became a faculty member, I found that being a female physician was not without challenges. I often worked in a predominantly male environments, where the challenges of working full-time, while pursuing a tertiary degree and trying to be a hands-on mother were not always appreciated. I often found that I had to vocalize my concerns and challenges a little more than my male colleagues just to be heard. I was fortunate to have a supportive Chair, who, once he understood the issues, would help find a solution.

However, that was one of my challenges: I didn’t always know what the challenges were, let alone how to articulate or address it. Joining the AAP helped me find women role models to emulate and start identifying and addressing some of my own issues. Somewhere along the way, I became a mentor myself. I wanted to pass on my experiences and the lessons that I had learned. But to my dismay, I found that some of the problems I faced a decade before were still present. I realized I had something to offer these younger women: the knowledge I had gained from making similar mistakes before. Soon, I realized that this was a bigger problem, not just at my institute. I worked with some of my wonderful women colleagues to develop the annual AAP Women’s Early Career Development Workshop, which has run for the past few years. The feedback we receive each year has been amazing and very gratifying.

My greatest hope is to one day retire these workshops, knowing that the world is an even playing field and efforts such as these are no longer needed. Until then, I will strive to make that dream a reality.

I grew up in Turkey doing a lot of community work throughout my school years, volunteering from orphanages to senior living homes in Istanbul. I always had a special place in my heart for elderly people with disabilities and children with special needs and I chaired an organization in high school that helped out such groups. Later, in medical school, when I found out about PM&R and Pediatric Rehabilitation, I knew that this was my calling because it catered to the exact populations of people that I had been working with for so long.

All my life, I have always been ambitious and strived for fulfillment, but I wanted to do so in a balanced way of life. Connecting with people and helping to bring positive changes to their lives makes me very happy and I love getting to work in a field that allows me to do so. PM&R turned out to be the best field to practice for me because it combines giving back to others and getting to solve problems and challenges, which is something I gladly welcome.

To this day, in my career I have faced many challenges such as finding connections in the U.S. to make the transition or having a kid during my residency. However, the biggest of these barriers and challenges that I have faced have been encountering narrow-minded people on my journey, who have failed to see my strengths, capabilities and compassion the way that I do. Starting over in a new country is difficult, but it is especially difficult within the medical world and I am hopeful that our movement towards diversity and inclusion will open the doors for many more talented individuals and diverse perspectives. Moreover, I believe that women provide a steady hand of strong leadership that our world needs and I hope that we continue to develop into a society that can recognize and value the distinct strengths that we as women have to offer.

I greatly cherish my time with the AAP and the connections that I have made because the AAP is somewhere that I feel I spend quality time with wonderful, hard-working people. The AAP gave me the tools and the knowledge to become a strong leader and learn how to influence, connect and create change in my profession. My proudest accomplishments thus far are the training programs that I have developed, the clinical services I have started, and the wonderful people I have surrounded myself with along my journey. Whether it is my colleagues, students, residents or therapists I work with, all these talented people make my efforts worthwhile and give me the motivation to do even better!

For young women entering medicine, my biggest piece of advice would be to identify your problems, and dedicate your time, energy and power to the solutions. Also, don’t forget that happiness is a choice we make and it takes work. Achieving goals by themselves will never make you happy in the long term; it’s who you become on your journey that matters. Lastly, forget multi-tasking and engage your brain, your mind and your feelings in what you do instead.