Department welcomes Latorre
The UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation welcomes Assistant Professor Johan Latorre, M.D., effective October 1, 2022. Dr. Latorre joins the department as a Physiatrist with specialization in adaptive sports after completing his Sports Medicine Primary Care fellowship and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residency from the University of Michigan. Prior to that, he completed his Internal Medicine internship at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
"I chose to join UAB because of my interest in sports medicine with an emphasis on adaptive sports. The university's high research level and relationship with the Lakeshore Foundation were a natural fit for my experience as a coach for the University of Michigan wheelchair tennis team. In my new role at UAB, I strive to provide medical care to all athletes, become a part of the local adaptive sports community, and create new opportunities for exercise and wellness for all individuals," says Latorre.
The PM&R department is happy to have Dr. Latorre as a part of the team. Dr. Latorre aims to pursue both clinical and research interest in adaptive sports, musculoskeletal issues, and concussion protocols.
Kennon discusses mental health at STEP community event
UAB Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation postdoctoral fellow, Jordan Kennon, PsyD, discussed mental health at the Transitioning to Adulthood with a Disability event.
The STEP program (Staging Transition for Every Patient) is committed to assisting with this process through providing primary care services, identifying adult specialists when necessary, communicating with other areas of your care team, and finding additional services for your unique needs.
On May 7, our STEP program hosted a Transitioning to Adulthood with a Disability event in partnership with United Ability.
"The transition period into adulthood is a time when people with disabilities and their caregivers experience new challenges. Hopefully, this presentation made people more aware of the mental health resources available as well as important referral reasons during this phase of life transition", says Kennon.
Cowan Joins VA Rehabilitation Engineering & Prosthetics/Orthotics Scientific Merit Review Board
Rachel Cowan, Ph.D., who is an ad hoc member of the Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Scientific Merit Review Board, has been selected to join the Boards’ Subcommittee on the Rehabilitation Engineering & Prosthetics/Orthotics. Her appointment as a Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) member of this Subcommittee for a four (4)-year term, begins August 1, 2022.
Dr. Cowan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine. “What I value most about this opportunity is providing the scope and depth of feedback that I would value as someone who submits grants,” said Dr. Cowan.
The Board objectives are to provide for the fair and equitable selection of the most meritorious research projects for support by VA research funds and to offer advice for research program officials on program priorities and policies. The goal is to ensure that the VA Rehabilitation Research and Development program promotes functional independence and improves the quality of life for Veterans with disabilities and impairments.
Vu Nguyen, M.D., chair of the Department of UAB PM&R, knows Dr. Cowan is continuing to earn much deserved respect for her work. “I am proud to have Dr. Cowan in our department. Her energy and compassion for disability research is unmatched. Because of this, I am excited to follow her development as a national leader in rehabilitation research,” expressed Dr. Nguyen.
Schultz and Willeford Named PM&R Chiefs
Effective July 1, Jacob Schultz, M.D. and Brea Willeford, D.O. became the 2022-2023 PM&R Resident Chiefs. Dr. Schultz is now our Education Chief, and Dr. Willeford is our Administrative Chief.
Dr. Schultz earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky and his MD from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. “It's a privilege to be leading and representing an incredible group of residents,” said Dr. Schultz. “UAB PM&R is a special program because not only do these residents have incredible academic pedigree, more importantly they are hard-working, caring, and virtuous people. I'm excited for my chief year alongside Dr. Willeford!”
Dr. Willeford earned her undergraduate degree from Coastal Carolina University and DO from the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. “I'm excited for this opportunity to lead and advocate for an incredible group of residents,” said Dr. Willeford. “Our UAB PM&R program has a great culture of teamwork, scholarship, work ethic, and wellness. It's an honor to represent my peers and faculty alongside Dr. Schultz as we aim to continue promoting these core values. It's going to be a great year!”
Dr. Willeford likes to stay active with lots of hobbies including running, hiking, tennis, water-sports, traveling, live music, and time with family and friends Her career interests are in interventional pain management and is in the process of applying for fellowship training.
Dr. Schultz enjoys hiking with his wife and dog, tennis, weightlifting, discovering new restaurants and breweries, bourbon, and Rocket League. His career interests is inpatient neurorehabilitation.
Colorado joins the department as Vice Chair of PM&R Education on September 1
Dale Colorado, DO, MPH, is joining the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Education. He will also serve as PM&R Residency Program Director and Director of Sports/Musculoskeletal Medicine.
Dr. Colorado is board certified in PM&R, sports medicine, brain injury medicine, electrodiagnostic medicine, and neuromuscular ultrasound. He is also certified in musculoskeletal ultrasound.
Prior to joining UAB, Dr. Colorado was Associate Professor in the Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Neurology at Washington University in St. Louis. He served as Program Director for the Sports Medicine Fellowship, Associate Program Director for the Interventional Spine Fellowship, Medical Director for the Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Program, EMG Medical Director, and Co-Director of Ultrasound. He served as a Team Physician for Washington University Athletics, Lindenwood University Athletics, St. Joseph’s Academy, and Francis Howell Central High School.
“UAB is one of the top academic medical centers in the country,” says Dr. Colorado. “The Department of PM&R and Spain Rehabilitation Center are nationally recognized, especially in the areas of spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury. I am very excited for the opportunities for growth, especially in the areas of education and sports/musculoskeletal medicine. This incredible potential, combined with amazing departmental culture and leadership, are what solidified my decision to come to UAB.”
Dr. Colorado’s clinical interests include the evaluation and non-operative management of all musculoskeletal injuries, with special interests in sports and spine related injuries, therapeutic spine and peripheral joint injections, regenerative medicine treatments, musculoskeletal and neuromuscular ultrasound, and electrodiagnostics. He has research interests in the use of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular ultrasound, electrodiagnostics, sports concussion, adaptive sports, and regenerative medicine.
Brunner named Vice Chair of PM&R Development
Robert Brunner, M.D., Professor in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as Associate Professor and Vice Chair of PM&R Development.
Dr. Brunner has long served in leadership as the Medical Director of the Spain Rehabilitation Center Inpatient Hospital, Principal Investigator of the Traumatic Brain Injury Model System and current Assistant Chief of the UAB Medical Staff. Additionally, he has been a driving force in the recently announced $156.7M, 350,000-square-foot development that will replace the existing Spain Rehabilitation Center. The new, 11-floor facility is scheduled to open in 2025 and will offer 78 rehabilitation beds, 28 acute care beds, and state-of-the-art technology specifically designed to provide comprehensive rehabilitation care for patients from across Alabama and beyond.
“I look forward to this new role within our department. I think this is an exciting time for us.” Dr. Brunner expresses. “Along with our new building we will have many new faculty joining us as we look to a very bright future.”
Vu Nguyen, M.D., chair of the Department of PM&R, is excited about the department’s future development under Dr. Brunner’s leadership. “Dr. Brunner is an experienced clinician and a highly articulate leader. When I created the Vice Chair of PM&R Development, I wanted an individual who has the experience to see the strategic global picture of growth for the department but also the critical analytical ability to optimize the integration of the various divisions in the department to increase synergy, efficiency, and effectiveness. Dr. Brunner possesses the rare combination of skills that can do just that. I am excited to see where he can take our growth and development.”
Vu presents on ABPMR Podcast
In this American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) Podcast episode, Professor and Chairman, Vu Nguyen, M.D., MBA, and Dr. Sunil Sabharwal (Harvard Medical School) present on preparing physiatrists for the Oral Boards by dispelling myths or misunderstandings about the examination process.
Hollis, Mahoney lead AHIF Q&A Session
UAB Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Assistant Professors Sean Hollis, Ph.D., and Elaine Mahoney, Ph.D., recently led an Alabama Head Injury Foundation Q&A session. In this episode, they joined a group of caregivers to provide insight into TBI and answer some specific questions our caregivers had about what a neuropsychologist does and how to better work with their TBI survivor.
Powell to serve as department Vice-Chair of Clinical Operations
UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Associate Professor, Danielle Powell, M.D., has been elected Vice-Chair of Clinical Operations.
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Department welcomes Teranishi
UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is thrilled to welcome Assistant Professor Rachel Teranishi, M.D., effective September 1, 2022.
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Department welcomes Twist
The UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation welcomes Assistant Professor Elizabeth Twist, M.D., effective September 1, 2022. Dr. Twist joins the department as a Physiatrist with specialization in spinal cord injury after completing her fellowship in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, Case Western in Ohio, where she also graduated residency. Prior to that, she completed her internal medicine internship at Ohio’s MetroHealth Medical Center.
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Knight receives gift from grateful patient
Amy Knight, Ph.D., ABPP, recently received a lovely painting from a patient as an expression of gratitude.
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Clark receives RCMAR pilot grant
Assistant Professor Amber Clark, M.D., received her second pilot grant from the Resource Centers for Minority and Aging Research (RCMAR) to study the post-stroke continuum among African American stroke survivors in Alabama.
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Department welcomes new education coordinator
The UAB Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Assistant is thrilled to welcome our new education coordinator, Savannah Tinsley!
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Azuero presents at Rehabilitation Psychology National Conference
UAB Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Assistant Professor, Casey Azuero, Ph.D., MPH, recently presented “Standardization of care for patients with SCI across care continuum: A pilot study” at the 24th Annual Rehabilitation Psychology Conference in February.
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Open letter from grateful patient
My name is Gloria Bennett, niece of Theresa Peagler, one of the former patients at UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center. Ms. Peagler had part of her leg amputated (up to her knee), so she was transported to UAB Spain for rehabilitation and extra care from the hospital. In addition, my aunt has experienced an abundant number of losses in life; she lost her parents, all her siblings, her daughter, and recently lost her husband several months ago.
Read moreRemember your neighbor during severe weather season
During severe weather season, families make plans for what they need to do in the case of a severe weather threat. When making your plans, University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Rachel Cowan, Ph.D., wants to remind you to remember your neighbors with disabilities.
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Wilroy featured in the CCTS 2021 Year in Review
Jereme Wilroy, Ph.D., was recently featured on the "2021 CCTS Year in Review Kudo Board".
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Department welcomes Elizabeth Richardson, Ph.D., MSPH
The UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is thrilled to welcome assistant professor, Dr. Elizabeth Richardson.
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Hays discusses burnout in series
Burnout is on the rise across the United States. In a survey of 1,500 U.S. workers conducted by the online job site Indeed, 52 percent of respondents said they were experiencing burnout, with 67 percent of respondents saying that burnout worsened during the pandemic.
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