Dale Colorado, D.O., M.P.H. has been named the 2026 recipient of the Ernest Johnson Outstanding Educator Award from the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM).
Ernest Johnson, M.D. was a recognized international expert and leader in electrodiagnostic medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). He served as the PM&R Chair at The Ohio State University for 37 years and his presidential service included the AANEM, AAPMR, and AAP. Above all else, Johnson considered himself a teacher.
This prestigious honor recognizes AANEM members for their significant contributions to education in neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic medicine, including excellence in teaching, innovative instructional methods, and dedication to training future clinicians.
Colorado is associate professor and vice chair of education in the Department of PM&R at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He also serves as assistant dean for student experience at the Heersink School of Medicine, chief of sports and musculoskeletal medicine, and program director for both the PM&R residency and the Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship.
A national leader in musculoskeletal medicine, Colorado’s work spans sports medicine, electrodiagnostics, ultrasound, interventional spine procedures, regenerative medicine/orthobiologics, and performing arts medicine.
Colorado has played a key role in advancing education in neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic medicine through national presentations, instructional courses/workshops, and curriculum development. He has led electrodiagnostic medicine and neuromuscular ultrasound education at multiple programs and institutions. In addition to training over 72 PM&R residents and 15 PM&R sports/spine fellows, he has provided electrodiagnostic medicine education to numerous specialties and professionals outside of PM&R.
When he joined UAB in 2022, Colorado seized the opportunity to reimagine medical education within PM&R. He developed a comprehensive ultrasound curriculum and introduced a simulation-based electrodiagnostic medicine curriculum/case conference, in addition to expanding training opportunities in sports medicine, spine, and neuromuscular medicine. His forward-thinking approach emphasizes integrating emerging technologies with hands-on, clinically relevant instruction. “We’re training future leaders in PM&R,” he said. “We need to incorporate the newest technology and integrate different teaching strategies.”
In 2025, he founded the UAB Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship, one of the few programs of its kind in the country. The program offers advanced training in electrodiagnostics, ultrasound, and interventional procedures and welcomed its first fellow this year.
Board certified in PM&R, sports medicine, brain injury medicine, electrodiagnostic medicine, and neuromuscular ultrasound—and additionally certified in musculoskeletal ultrasound (RMSK)—Colorado combines deep clinical expertise with a passion for teaching. His research contributions include numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters focused on sports, spine, and musculoskeletal medicine, further reinforcing his impact on the field.
Colorado’s recognition with the AANEM Ernest Johnson Outstanding Educator Award adds to a distinguished list of national honors, including the ACGME Parker Palmer Courage to Teach Award, the AAPM&R Early Career Award, and the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) Early Career Academician Award.
Dr. Dale Colorado training medical students on a diagnostic ultrasound procedure“Dr. Ernest Johnson, or Ernie, once wrote an editorial on recruiting academicians and lamented on the difficulty of separating 'sheep from goats' because 'everyone looks better on paper',” said Vu Nguyen, M.D., chair, Department of PM&R. “Dr. Colorado is one of those rare clinician educators who looks better in person. It is the time he spends teaching in the clinics, lecturing at weekend workshops, and providing one-on-one mentoring that sets him apart. I am so very proud of Dr. Colorado in achieving this phenomenal recognition named after one of the greatest educators in PM&R.”
Reflecting on the honor, Colorado shared, “I am very honored to receive this award. This symbolizes the encouragement and wisdom poured into me by my mentors, the continual love and support from my family, the joy of watching my trainees succeed, and the privilege of taking care of patients.”
Through his leadership, innovation, and dedication to mentorship, Colorado continues to shape the future of neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic medicine, making a lasting impact on learners, colleagues, and patient care nationwide.