Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Overview

Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also referred to as rehabilitation medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with evaluating, diagnosing, and treating patients with physical disabilities. These disabilities may arise from conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system such as neck and back pain, sports injuries, or other painful conditions affecting the limbs like carpal tunnel syndrome. Alternatively, the disabilities may result from neurological trauma or disease such as spinal cord or head injury or stroke. A physician certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation is often called a physiatrist. The primary goals of physicians in physical medicine and rehabilitation are to achieve maximum restoration of physical, psychological, social, and vocational function through comprehensive rehabilitation as well as effective pain management.¹

¹ The American Board of Medical Specialties. Guide to Physician Specialties. Evanston, IL: American Board of Medical Specialties; February 2008.

Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) PM&R Career Advising

Have questions about PM&R residencies, career options or just about Physiatry in general? AAP advisors are available and glad to provide program-neutral assistance. Find more information here.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Faculty Advisors

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Interest Group 2024-2025

President: Alexandra Lang
Vice President: Win Pasaribu
Secretary: Carol Lee
Treasurer: Collin Lee
Education Coordinator: Maddie Carritte
Research Coordinator:Ryan Kenney
Outreach Coordinator: Christian Im 
Social Media Coordinator:  Katie Yau
MS4 Rep:Jairo Campos
MS3 Rep: Isaac Overfield
MS2 Rep: Chandler Dinh
MS1 Rep: TBD  

Download the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Interest Group Constitution