UAB Medicine joins select Rehabilitation Innovation Centers Coalition to revolutionize clinical care for Americans with disabilities
UAB Medicine Spain Rehabilitation Center is one of only 10 rehabilitation hospitals in the country designated as a Rehabilitation Innovation Center formed to change the face of clinical care for Americans with disabilities.
Wilroy instrumental in developing UAB Disability Health Studies Graduate Certificate to launch Spring 2024
Following extensive research and personal experience, Jereme Wilroy, Ph.D., associate professor in UAB's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, found that many public health professionals are not prepared to design health promotion programs and opportunities to address the pervasive health disparities that continue for the over 60 million Americans with disabilities.
Cowan awarded $1.6 million to study the impact of fitness on quality of life after spinal cord injury
Rachel Cowan, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Alabama at BirminghamDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and program co-director for UAB’s Spinal Cord Injury Model System, was awarded $1.6 million from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command to study the impact of fitness on quality of life after spinal cord injury.
Powell appointed PM&R Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs
Associate Professor Danielle Powell, M.D. has been appointed Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs in the UAB Heersink School of MedicineDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
PM&R shows strong presence at the largest annual conference in the world for interdisciplinary rehabilitation research
The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) recently held the largest annual conference in the world for interdisciplinary rehabilitation research. It was the 100th annual conference, and it brought together researchers, clinicians, administrators, and others to learn about cutting-edge research and its translation into clinical practice.
Department welcomes new faculty member
The UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation welcomes Assistant Professor Radhika Sharma, M.D., effective November 2023.
Chen awarded the Dr. Margaret Nosek Award
Professor Yuying Chen, M.D., Ph.D. was awarded the prestigious Dr. Margaret Nosek Award by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine’s (ACRM) Spinal Cord Interdisciplinary Special Interest Group.
PMR researcher studying intermittent loss of voluntary control of parts of the body due to Functional Neurological Disorder
![Dr. Victor Mark](/medicine/physicalmedicine/images/Faculty/victor_mark.jpg)
Hays selected for Class of 2024 Healthcare Leadership Academy
Megan Hays, Ph.D., associate professor and clinical psychologist in the UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation was selected to join the Class of 2024 Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA).
Thomas A. Novack, Ph.D. appointed Professor Emeritus
$3.3 million R01 grant funds research on telehealth cardio program for wheelchair user
Jereme D. Wilroy, Ph.D., assistant professor for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, was awarded a $3.3 million R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health for his study, “Examining the effects of live telehealth exercise training on cardiometabolic outcomes in wheelchair users."
UAB offers one of the only multidisciplinary adult spina bifida clinics in the southeastern United States
Spina bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect that is associated with life. Each year approximately 1,400 babies born in the United States have spina bifida, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Spina bifida, usually apparent at birth, is a type of neural tube defect in which the neural tube does not completely close during development in the womb resulting in damage to the spinal cord and nerves.
UAB PM&R Faculty Receive Promotions in 2023
The UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is pleased to announce the promotion of three faculty members, including two researchers and one neuropsychologist effective Oct. 1, 2023.
Dr. Cowan’s World Health Organization Global Wheelchair Service Guidelines Launched
Rachel Cowan, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and program co-director for UAB’s Spinal Cord Injury Model System, co-chaired the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Wheelchair Service Guidelines Develop Group (GDG) and co-authored the Wheelchair Service Guidelines alongside Kylie Shae and Sarah Sheldon. The Guidelines were official launched at the April 2023 meeting of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics in Guadalajara, Mexico.
UAB residency program shows national reputation in top 25
UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of MedicineDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation's residency program ranks in the top 25 by reputation in Doximity’s Residency Navigator.
PM&R Research Summary: Caregiver resilience six months after traumatic brain injury
The UAB Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (UAB-TBIMS) conducts independent and collaborative research projects. The UABTBIMS was part of a recent collaborative research study on the resilience of caregivers at six months following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Virginia Commonwealth Traumatic Brain Injury Model System led the multi-center study, and other participating centers included Mayo Clinic Traumatic Brain Injury Model System, Indiana Traumatic Brain Injury Model System, Rocky Mountain Regional Brain Injury System, and the Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System.
UAB PM&R joins Limb Loss & Preservation Registry
The University of Alabama at Birmingham’sDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a prosthetics and orthotics patient care provider, has joined the Limb Loss & Preservation Registry (LLPR).
PM&R Research Publication Quick Review: Effects of a Low-Carbohydrate, High-Protein Diet on Gut Microbiome Composition
Past research suggests that an imbalance of gut bacteria develops after spinal cord injury (SCI). This imbalance can lead to cardiometabolic diseases like obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Brewer selected for UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership
Good leadership is key to any organization, and UAB is no exception. UAB’s Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is proud to announce that Administrative Director Tracy Brewer joins the FALL 2023 cohort of the UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership.
McShan appointed to the American Heart Association 2023-2024 Southeast Board of Directors
Dr. Andre’ McShan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Medical Director for the Occupational Medicine program at The Workplace-UAB Highlands, was selected to serve on the American Heart Association 2023-2024 Southeast Board of Directors.
McShan is a longtime advocate for the American Heart Association. He has served on the board at the local level including his role as past president. In this new appointment, McShan will serve a 3-year term for the Southeast regional board of directors as well as a member of the Health Equity and Workplace Health Steering Committees.
“Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States and disproportionately effects minority communities,” said McShan. “Like many others, I’ve experienced personal loss due to heart disease and stroke. I’m honored to be a part of this organization, and I’m excited to use my expertise to expand the efforts of the American Heart Association.”
The board will meet quarterly and rotate to different host cities around the southeast. Their current regional initiatives include topics such as addressing teen vaping, helping to decrease food insecurity, and reinforcing blood pressure guidelines.
The American Heart Association is a nonprofit organization in the United States that funds cardiovascular medical research, educates consumers on healthy living and fosters appropriate cardiac care in in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke.