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Dale Colorado, D.O., M.P.H. was selected to serve on the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) Technical Expert Panel for orthobiologic management of osteoarthritis of the knee. The panel will develop and author a clinical practice guidance statement to advance knowledge and promote standards of care and best practices based on the best available evidence.

"While the research on orthobiologics is ever-expanding, there is still a lot that we don't know. I am excited to help guide and inform healthcare providers regarding the use of orthobiologics for knee osteoarthritis," stated Colorado.

Dr. Colorado has been using orthobiologics in his clinical practice for approximately 10 years. He was Founder and Medical Director of the Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Program in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis. He has given numerous lectures/presentations on regenerative medicine.

Dr. Colorado is 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). He serves as PM&R Residency Program Director and Medical Director of Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine. Dr. Colorado is also a team physician for UAB Athletics and a part of the UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine program.

Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Education
Program Director, PM&R Residency
Medical Director, Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine

Areas of Interest
Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Interventional Spine, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Ultrasound, Adaptive Sports, Regenerative Medicine, and Performing Arts Medicine

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.

Assistant Professor

Areas of Interest
Sports medicine, Adaptive sports, Musculoskeletal issues

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation has received a five-year $2.2 million grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research to continue its Traumatic Brain Injury Model System.

A TBI Model System is awarded based on demonstrated excellence in research and knowledge translation that promotes health and quality of life for people with TBI, their families, and professionals. UAB has been continually funded as a TBI Model System since 1998 and is currently one of 16 other Model Systems around the country.

Professor, Robert Brunner, M.D., who was recently named Vice Chair of PM&R Development, is again leading the UAB Traumatic Brain Injury Model System as Project Director.

“We have been fortunate to have a strong team of Traumatic Brain Injury researchers over the years within the Department of PM&R that has allowed us to maintain this grant over the last 25 years. We are grateful that we have been awarded this grant for the next five years,” said Dr. Brunner.

Over the next 5 years, UAB looks to accomplish two research priorities. First, UAB aims to validate methods to assess return to driving decisions after TBI and develop a driving intervention. Additionally, UAB looks to collaborate with other TBI Model Systems to examine the role geriatric syndromes play on the course of rehabilitation outcomes.

“We have a great team in place and look forward to the next five years of collaboration. Of all the centers that have been involved with the Model System over the years, we have recruited and contributed the largest number of patients of any center,” adds Dr. Brunner. “This is a testament to the department for their support and all the individuals that have been a part of this grant over the years.”

“This grant award speaks volumes about the Department’s outstanding TBI research and also exemplary system of care,” said Yuying Chen, M.D., Ph.D., research director in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine. “It truly attests to our commitment to the TBI community in the State of Alabama and beyond.”