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The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) honored the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of PM&R Associate Professor Berdale S. Colorado, D.O., MPH with this year’s Early PM&R Career Award for his impact on the future of PM&R through distinction in innovation, advocacy, leadership, service, and clinical practice. This award is presented to physiatrists within 10 or fewer years in practice.

The UAB Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (UAB-TBIMS) recently led a collaborative research study study to learn more about participants' return to driving over time, specifically in the two years post-injury. Other participating centers in this project were Southeastern Michigan TBIMS, Mayo Clinic TBIMS, University of Washington TBIMS, Rocky Mountain Regional TBIMS, Virginia TBIMS, and Moss TBIMS.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) welcomes Assistant Professor Emma Lucas, PhD, MSW, MPH effective December 1, 2024. Dr. Lucas joins the department as a clinical neuropsychologist specializing in the assessment and treatment of brain injuries including traumatic brain injury, stroke, and other neurological conditions. She also provides cognitive and emotional rehabilitation.

Berdale Colorado, D.O., MPH, associate professor and vice chair of education in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has been named by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) as a recipient of the 2025 Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) welcomes Assistant Professor Sarah Lopes, D.O. effective November 4, 2024. Dr. Lopes joins the department as a physiatrist specializing in stroke, amputee, EMG, and orthopedics.

The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) recently held the largest annual conference in the world for interdisciplinary rehabilitation research. It brought together researchers, clinicians, administrators, and others to learn about innovative research and its translation into clinical practice. Faculty from the UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) were key contributors in making the 2024 conference a success.

Two staff members from the Department of PM&R, Residency Education Administrator Savannah Tinsley and Communications Specialist Natalie Garcia, were among 22 UAB employees who recently graduated from the Emerging Leaders Series (ELS) fall 2024 leadership development program. The program recognized its second cohort of graduates at a ceremony on Nov. 7.

UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, Danielle Powell, M.D., has been invited to join the Board of Directors for United Ability.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Nurse Practitioner Karion Waites, DNP, MSN, BC-FNP, RN, CRRN was honored for her outstanding service as an Advanced Practice Provider (APP).

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) continues to build on its research portfolio. In addition to research funded through entities like the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Defense, and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, PM&R is partnering with industry to research potential solutions to healthcare needs.

Drew Redepenning, M.D. ATP, a Resident Physician at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, has received the 2024 DeVivo Mentored Research Award. This one-year, $3,000 research award is for trainees who are interested in conducting a research project using data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) Database, which is managed by UAB’s National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC).

Dale Colorado, DO, MPH, has been named assistant dean for Student Experience, a new position established in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine to support medical students from all backgrounds in the learning environment, and to partner with faculty and administration to enhance the current curriculum and to support LCME curriculum expectations designed to address structural competence, cultural competence, health inequities, as well as relevant societal problems. He will also assist with recruitment of prospective medical students.

As a provider for UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine, Johan Latorre, M.D. specializes in non-operative orthopedic, musculoskeletal, and sports medicine. He is passionate about treating athletes at all levels and abilities.

Elizabeth Richardson, Ph.D., MSPH, assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), led a research effort that looked at the role resilience (a person’s ability to adjust in a positive way) has on the relationship between perceived stress and the impact of pain intensity can have on patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) during inpatient rehabilitation. Specifically, the study focused on the patients’ general activities, mood, mobility, social relationships, sleep, and other areas of daily activities that are often negatively impacted by pain.

The UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is expanding its footprint in the community to accommodate more patients. Three PM&R providers – Drs. Mark Carter, Dale Colorado, and Johan Latorre – are now accepting patients at the new UAB Medical West, an affiliate of the UAB Health System, in addition to the main UAB campus locations. 

Rachel Teranishi, M.D,  assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and Spain Rehabilitation Center Consult Director was selected to join the Class of 2025 UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA).

The UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Training Program welcomed four new PGY1 residents in June.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) is excited to welcome Jamie Elliott, MPA, PMP as executive administrator.

Yuying Chen, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, is one of 10 named to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) 2024 Board of Directors. ASIA is one of the most influential associations in the creation, promotion, and dissemination of educational, clinical, and research standards in the field of spinal cord injury (SCI) – all directly translating into the improved health and quality of life for people with SCI.

Congratulations to our newest class of graduating residents on their completion of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency program. Our 2024 graduates include Natalie Dean, D.O., Sarah Lopes, D.O., Daniel McBride, M.D., and Nelson Santos Agosto, D.O.