PM&R announces the creation of an Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) is excited to announce the creation of the North American Spine Society (NASS) recognized Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship, which will begin August 2025. Berdale S. Colorado, D.O., MPH will serve as Program Director and Lisa Koplik Humphries, M.D. will serve as Associate Program Director.
Mark discusses misunderstandings regarding Functional Neurological Disorder within the medical community on UAB MedCast
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) results in fluctuating control of voluntary activities. PM&R Associate Professor Victor Mark, M.D. explains why FND has only recently begun to be acknowledged as a neurological rather than purely psychological disorder. He discusses conditions related to FND and effective rehabilitation coordinated between neurologists, psychologists, physical therapists, and others to moderate symptoms.
Governor’s office appoints Powell to the Alabama Board of Home Medical Equipment
The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, Danielle Powell, M.D., has been appointed to the Alabama Board of Home Medical Equipment by the Office of Governor Kay Ivey.
PM&R’s research is a team effort
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) has a long history in research led by our PM&R research faculty. Each one with a passion to contribute to the knowledge gained through research to improve the health, function, and quality of life of persons with disabilities.
Colorado receives AAPM&R's 2024 Early Career Award
The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) honored the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of PM&R Associate Professor Berdale S. Colorado, D.O., MPH with this year’s Early PM&R Career Award for his impact on the future of PM&R through distinction in innovation, advocacy, leadership, service, and clinical practice. This award is presented to physiatrists within 10 or fewer years in practice.
PM&R Research: Return to driving following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury
The UAB Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (UAB-TBIMS) recently led a collaborative research study study to learn more about participants' return to driving over time, specifically in the two years post-injury. Other participating centers in this project were Southeastern Michigan TBIMS, Mayo Clinic TBIMS, University of Washington TBIMS, Rocky Mountain Regional TBIMS, Virginia TBIMS, and Moss TBIMS.
Lucas joins Department of PM&R faculty
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) welcomes Assistant Professor Emma Lucas, PhD, MSW, MPH effective December 1, 2024. Dr. Lucas joins the department as a clinical neuropsychologist specializing in the assessment and treatment of brain injuries including traumatic brain injury, stroke, and other neurological conditions. She also provides cognitive and emotional rehabilitation.
Colorado receives ACGME’s Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award
Berdale Colorado, D.O., MPH, 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) has been named by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) as a recipient of the 2025 Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award.
Department of PM&R welcomes new faculty member
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) welcomes Assistant Professor Sarah Lopes, D.O. effective November 4, 2024. Dr. Lopes joins the department as a physiatrist specializing in stroke, amputee, EMG, and orthopedics.
PM&R researchers showcased at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) recently held the largest annual conference in the world for interdisciplinary rehabilitation research. It brought together researchers, clinicians, administrators, and others to learn about innovative research and its translation into clinical practice. Faculty from the UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) were key contributors in making the 2024 conference a success.
Two PM&R employees graduate from UAB Medicine’s Emerging Leaders Series
Two staff members from the Department of PM&R, Residency Education Administrator Savannah Tinsley and Communications Specialist Natalie Garcia, were among 22 UAB employees who recently graduated from the Emerging Leaders Series (ELS) fall 2024 leadership development program. The program recognized its second cohort of graduates at a ceremony on Nov. 7.
Powell to Serve on United Ability Board of Directors
UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, Danielle Powell, M.D., has been invited to join the Board of Directors for United Ability.
Karion Waites honored with UAB APP Champion Award
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Nurse Practitioner Karion Waites, DNP, MSN, BC-FNP, RN, CRRN was honored for her outstanding service as an Advanced Practice Provider (APP).
PM&R growing its industry-sponsored research
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) continues to build on its research portfolio. In addition to research funded through entities like the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Defense, and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, PM&R is partnering with industry to research potential solutions to healthcare needs.
PM&R’s National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center announces 2024 recipient of the DeVivo Mentored Research Award
Drew Redepenning, M.D. ATP, a Resident Physician at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, has received the 2024 DeVivo Mentored Research Award. This one-year, $3,000 research award is for trainees who are interested in conducting a research project using data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) Database, which is managed by UAB’s National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC).
Colorado named assistant dean for Student Experience
Dale Colorado, DO, MPH, has been named assistant dean for Student Experience, a new position established in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine to support medical students from all backgrounds in the learning environment, and to partner with faculty and administration to enhance the current curriculum and to support LCME curriculum expectations designed to address structural competence, cultural competence, health inequities, as well as relevant societal problems. He will also assist with recruitment of prospective medical students.
Exploring Adaptive Sports: An Interview with Johan Latorre, M.D.
As a provider for UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine, Johan Latorre, M.D. specializes in non-operative orthopedic, musculoskeletal, and sports medicine. He is passionate about treating athletes at all levels and abilities.
Perceived stress and the impact of pain intensity for people with spinal cord injury during inpatient rehabilitation
Elizabeth Richardson, Ph.D., MSPH, assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), led a research effort that looked at the role resilience (a person’s ability to adjust in a positive way) has on the relationship between perceived stress and the impact of pain intensity can have on patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) during inpatient rehabilitation. Specifically, the study focused on the patients’ general activities, mood, mobility, social relationships, sleep, and other areas of daily activities that are often negatively impacted by pain.
Teranishi selected for Class of 2025 Healthcare Leadership Academy
Rachel Teranishi, M.D, assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and Spain Rehabilitation Center Consult Director was selected to join the Class of 2025 UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA).
PM&R providers welcome patients at the new UAB Medical West
The UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is expanding its footprint in the community to accommodate more patients. Three PM&R providers – Drs. Mark Carter, Dale Colorado, and Johan Latorre – are now accepting patients at the new UAB Medical West, an affiliate of the UAB Health System, in addition to the main UAB campus locations.