Robert Brunner, M.D. was named Distinguished Professor in the UAB Heersink School of MedicineDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Brunner was part of a select group honored for exceptional achievement and contributions by The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees during their meetings in April 2024. The rank of Distinguished Professor is a campuswide appointment that recognizes international accomplishments to confer richly deserved prestige and honor on those selected to receive this designation.

“Dr. Brunner’s recognition as a Distinguished Professor is a tremendous honor for our department. I am so grateful to Dr. Brunner. The award recognizes his decades of stewardship and service to the department, the school of medicine, the healthcare system, and the university. We are better because of his dedicated leadership,” said Vu Nguyen, M.D., Department of PM&R Chair.

Brunner joined UAB in 1998 as an assistant professor and currently serves as a professor and vice chair of the Department of PM&R, medical director of Spain Rehabilitation Center (SRC), director of the PM&R Outpatient Clinic, principal investigator, and medical director of UAB Traumatic Brain Injury Model System. He chairs the UAB Health System Credentials Committee and is associate chief of the UAB Medical Staff.

Brunner's research focuses on interventions to improve recovery following Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). He is nationally recognized as a TBI expert and researcher who successfully led UAB's TBI Model System to the distinction of being only one of 14 TBI model systems nationwide. Brunner provides key leadership for the National Institute of Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research. He has served as an officer with the Alabama State Society of PM&R and in various leadership roles with the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Brunner has contributed to 16 manuscripts and twice received the Teacher of the Year Award in UAB's PM&R Department.