American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Join student hosts Rhoda Hijazi, OMS-III, and Tommy Tsang, OMS-IV, as they delve into the evolving landscape of spinal cord injury rehabilitation with two extraordinary leaders in the field. In this special episode, we welcome Dr. Isaac Hernandez Jimenez, Chair of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Americas Committee and Fellowship Director at UT Health Houston, and Dr. Melina Longoni, Vice Chair of the ASIA Americas Committee and Medical Director of ReDel Rehabilitation Center. Together, we explore how innovation, diversity, and global collaboration are transforming outcomes for patients with spinal cord injuries. From the latest advancements in rehabilitation to initiatives supporting inclusive care across Latin America, this conversation offers insights and inspiration for students, professionals, and advocates alike. Tune in to learn from their journeys, their challenges, and their vision for a future where mentorship, representation, and cutting-edge science intersect to reshape spinal cord injury care!

In this episode, our host Meghan Mardashti, one of the AOCPMR Multimedia Committee Co-Chairs, is joined by Dr. Seidel, DO, Program Director at UT Health San Antonio, and Dr. Momin, DO a third-year PM&R resident. They discuss key factors in ranking residency programs, balancing "fit" vs. prestige, common applicant mistakes, and how to make the final decision before submitting your rank list. Whether you're a fourth-year medical student in the thick of Match season or just starting your PM&R journey, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Website: www.aocpmr.org Instagram: @aocpmr Youtube: @AOCPMR

What does it take to recover from a spinal cord injury? In this episode, we sit down with Charlie Powell, a spinal cord injury survivor, to hear his powerful story of resilience, rehabilitation, and regaining independence. Charlie shares his journey from the initial injury to long-term recovery, highlighting the impact of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) in restoring function and quality of life. We explore the challenges he faced, the role of a multidisciplinary rehab team, and the importance of setting realistic goals during the healing process. Key Takeaways: ✔️ The emotional and physical challenges of spinal cord injury recovery ✔️ How PM&R specialists and rehab teams shape a patient's journey ✔️ The power of goal setting in rehabilitation ✔️ Collaboration between rehab professionals ✔️ How healthcare providers can advocate for spinal cord injury patients Listen now for a firsthand look at how rehabilitation medicine transforms lives. Website: www.aocpmr.org Instagram: @aocpmr Youtube: AOCPMR

Join our host Meghan Mardashti, one of the AOCPMR Multimedia Committee Co-Chair, as she sits down with Dr. Unoma Akamagwuna, Assistant Professor and Fellowship Program Director for Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. In this episode, Dr. Akamagwuna shares her journey into pediatric rehabilitation medicine, insights into her daily practice, advancements in the field, and advice for those considering a pediatric subspecialty in PM&R. She also offers invaluable guidance on avoiding burnout and finding joy in your career, no matter where you are on your journey. Website: www.aocpmr.org Instagram: @aocpmr Youtube: AOCPMR

Join our host, Meghan Mardashti, OMS4, and our guest Dr. Nick Elwert, AOCPMR Vice President and the Assistant Program Director of the University of Kentucky's PM&R Program, as he shares invaluable insights on how to navigate residency interviews. Dr. Elwert discusses his advice on essential dos and don'ts and how to talk about your strengths and weaknesses in interviews. Whether you're preparing for residency interviews or have started on the interview trail, this episode will help you put your best foot forward!   Website: www.aocpmr.org Instagram: @aocpmr Youtube: @AOCPMR

In this episode, our host Meghan Mardashti, OMS 4, interviews Dr. Cindy Ivanhoe, director of the Spasticity and Associated Syndromes of Movement (SPASM) program at TIRR Memorial Hermann. Dr. Ivanhoe shares her journey in PM&R, expanding on her passion for brain injury and spasticity management. Dr. Ivanhoe emphasizes the value of a multidisciplinary approach and offers valuable insights for aspiring physiatrists and medical students. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that blends knowledge and compassion in healthcare! Don't forget to leave a review and share what topics you'd like us to cover next. Website: www.aocpmr.org Instagram: @aocpmr Youtube: @AOCPMR

Join us in this exciting episode as we sit down with Dr. Gina M. Benaquista DeSipio, an osteopathic physiatrist specializing in neurorehabilitation. Dr. Benaquista DeSipio Is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, and Brain Injury Medicine. She runs her private practice in Philadelphia and serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, sharing her unique insights on integrating osteopathic medicine in PM&R. We explore how her trauma-informed approach and mindfulness enhance patient care, discuss the role and future of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) in rehab, and gain invaluable advice for medical students eager to incorporate osteopathic principles into their practice. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the evolving field of PM&R!

Join us for a fascinating episode with Dr. Alexa Moreira and Dr. Felicia Mix, where we explore the intersection of exercise, training, and physiatry. Dr. Moreira, a graduating PM&R PGY4, shares her journey from sports to competing in bodybuilding, while Dr. Mix, a PMR PGY2, discusses her active background in CrossFit, swimming, running, and biking. We delve into how weight training impacts physical health, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. Learn about common injuries in weight training and how physiatrists diagnose and treat them. Our guests also share their insights on motivating patients and balancing the risks and rewards of intensive exercise routines. Studies discussed by Dr. Moreira include: Ángel Rodríguez, Miguel et al. “Injury in CrossFit®: A Systematic Review of Epidemiology and Risk Factors.” The Physician and sportsmedicine vol. 50,1 (2022): 3-10. doi:10.1080/00913847.2020.1864675 Siewe, J et al. “Injuries and overuse syndromes in competitive and elite bodybuilding.” International journal of sports medicine vol. 35,11 (2014): 943-8. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1367049 Keogh, Justin W L, and Paul W Winwood. “The Epidemiology of Injuries Across the Weight-Training Sports.” Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 47,3 (2017): 479-501. doi:10.1007/s40279-016-0575-0 Check us out on any of our social media channels and let us know what you think about our episode! Website: www.aocpmr.org Instagram: @aocpmr Youtube: @AOCPMR

In this exciting episode, our host Meghan Mardashti, co-chair of the AOCPMR's Multimedia Committee, welcomes the esteemed Dr. Dan Cushman, a renowned expert in Sports Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Dr. Cushman is a leading figure in musculoskeletal injuries and nerve disorders in athletes, and he serves as the team physician for various University of Utah sports teams. With his innovative approach of using exercise as medicine, Dr. Cushman has become a prominent figure in sports epidemiology and musculoskeletal ultrasound. The episode is packed with excellent advice for those interested in sports medicine and highlights the nuances between the Family Medicine and PM&R route. Don't miss Dr. Cushman's valuable insights at the end, where he shares his expert advice for those interested in this dynamic and rewarding field!   Check us out on any of our social media channels and let us know what you think about our episode! Website: www.aocpmr.org Instagram: @aocpmr Youtube: @AOCPMR

In this insightful episode, Meghan, our host, engages in a profound discussion about mental health with Dr. Morgan Cowan, a PGY-3 and administrative chief at UT Health PM&R. Dr. Cowan shares his personal journey and experiences with mental health during his 4th year of medical school, shedding light on the challenges he faced and how he sought help. He provides an in-depth look into his experience with self-doubt and how he overcame it. Furthermore, he explains how these experiences have shaped his approach to residency, emphasizing the importance of resilience and self-care. This episode serves as a rich resource for anyone looking to understand the mental health challenges faced in medical school and the strategies to overcome them.

Mia Buhrmaster is a Clinical Fellow Speech-Language Pathologist at the Advanced Institute for Development and Learning. She earned her Bachelor's in Health Sciences at the University of South Florida. She graduated with her master's in Speech-Language Pathology at Jacksonville University. Enjoy this talk about the essential role of Speech-Language Pathologists and how it relates to PM&R.

Dr. David Cifu is an Eminent Scholar and Associate Dean for Innovation and System Integration for the Virginia School of Medicine in Richmond, Virginia. He is also a Tenure Professor and Chair of the Department for PM&R. Dr. Cifu is the Chief of PM&R Services for the VCU health system, Founding Director of the VCU Center for Rehabilitation, Senior Consultant for Sheltering Arms Institute, and Senior Traumatic Brain Injury Specialist for the US Department of Veterans Affairs.   This video is a great explanation of what PM&R physicians do, what training is like, post-training career options, the next steps for interest in the field, and more!

In this episode of the AOCPMR podcast, Student Doctor Shahana Momin talks to Dr. Derrick Allred about his role as program director at the University of Texas at San Antonio's PM&R program, do's and don'ts for the residency interview process, and how to maintain a work/life balance in medicine

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, Student Doctor Loc Lam sits down with Dr. Aslan Tariq, an attending physician in the Chicago area and Chief Clinical Officer of Integrated Rehab Consultants, to talk about his journey into PM&R, advice for matching during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the business side of medicine.

Dr. Nicolet Finger is a PM&R Resident at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio. We discuss how she discovered PM&R, resident life, relationships, and more!

Our Public Relations Committee interviews Dr Alex Fogarty to learn about her path to PM&R and her specific interests in the field. At the time of this podcast recording, Dr Fogarty is a chief resident at WashU in St. Louis, MO and anticipates beginning a fellowship in Sports Medicine.

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, Student Doctor Ryan Russell sits down with Dr. William Niehaus from the University of Colorado to talk about his journey into PM&R, a typical day in his life as a PM&R doctor, the founding of the Colorado RSVP Clinic, and the use of social media in today's world as a medical professional.

Dr David Cifu has been an academic physiatrist for more than 30 years, published more than 30 articles, is the current Associate Dean for Innovation and System Integration in the School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and the Senior Traumatic Brain Injury Specialist for the US Department of Veterans Affairs, among many great achievements and developments in the field. He joins our podcast to discuss his experience in the field and his many roles and experiences.

Dr Thomas Jan is an osteopathic physiatrist practicing in Rockville Center, New York. He is dedicated to PM&R- in managing neuromuscular pain complaints and pain management as well as #MedEd . He serves as the director for Medical Education at Mercy Hospital and is also the Program Director for the Mercy Medical Center/Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center PM&R Residency. Dr Jan also proudly serves as the medical director for the Long Island Council for Alcohol and Drug Dependence and in 2009 started the 1st community training in narcan event.

Welcome back to another episode of the fellowship series from the AOCPMR resident council. In this new podcast, we are pleased to have Dr. Cosmo Kwok who is an Pediatric PMR attending at Baylor College of Medicine as our guest today. In this episode, Dr. Kwok will share more about his journey in medicine, his calling to become a Ped Physiatrist, his experience as an at Texas Children Hospital PMR department, and what are some of the requirements to pursue this subspecialty of PMR. Dr. Kwok Twitter - @cosmokwok   The views, opinions, and factual statements presented in this video are those of the presenter alone and do not reflect the views, beliefs, and/or policy statements of the American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, its affiliate organizations, members, or governing council. Medical statements made in this or other AOCPMR videos should not be treated as individual medical advice: consult your physician and/or other medical care providers before undertaking or discontinuing any course of medical treatment.

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, Student Doctor Shahana Momin chats with Dr. Nikola Dragojlovic, DO about a variety of topics including his eureka moment in PM&R and path to physiatry, his insights as program director for UT Houston's PM&R program, his advice for current students applying for residencies, and so much more! The views, opinions, and factual statements presented in this video are those of the presenter alone and do not reflect the views, beliefs, and/or policy statements of the American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, its affiliate organizations, members, or governing council. Medical statements made in this or other AOCPMR videos should not be treated as individual medical advice: consult your physician and/or other medical care providers before undertaking or discontinuing any course of medical treatment.   FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AOCPMR INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/AOCPMR TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/AOCPMR Visit our website to learn more: https://www.aocpmr.org

Welcome back to another episode of the fellowship series from the AOCPMR resident council. In this new podcast, we are pleased to have Dr. Nathan Darji who is a Brain Injury fellow at Harvard Spaulding Rehab to be our AOCPMR podcast guest. In this episode, Dr. Darji will share more about his recent experience as a new fellow at Harvard Spaulding Rehab Brain Injury Fellowship, his advices on how to match into Brain Injury Fellowship especially during this new virtual interview environment, what is the general timeline, and what are some of the requirements to pursue this subspecialty of PMR. The views, opinions, and factual statements presented in this video are those of the presenter alone and do not reflect the views, beliefs, and/or policy statements of the American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, its affiliate organizations, members, or governing council. Medical statements made in this or other AOCPMR videos should not be treated as individual medical advice: consult your physician and/or other medical care providers before undertaking or discontinuing any course of medical treatment.

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, Student Doctor Shahana Momin sits down with Dr. Andriana Tompary, a PGY-II at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to talk about her journey into PM&R, a typical day in the life of a PM&R resident, the effects of Covid-19 on medical trainees, and advice for students interested in PM&R residencies.

Continuing our fellowship series from the AOCPMR resident council, we welcome Dr. Komal Patel who is a brain injury physiatrist at George Washington University to our AOCPMR podcast. In this episode, Dr. Patel will share his journey in the field of PMR and helpful insights in pursuing fellowships in Brain Injury Fellowship.

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, Student Doctor Loc Lam sits down with Dr. Peter Park, a PGY-2 at Washington University in St. Louis. We discuss his journey to PM&R, his takes on a day in the life of a PM&R resident in St. Louis, MO, and his advice for medical students in the upcoming ERAS2021 interview season. 

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, Student Doctor Loc Lam sits down with Dr. Jonathan Reisman, a PGY-3 at the University of Minnesota. We discussed his journey to physical medicine and rehabilitation residency, choosing a residency and why he chose the University of Minnesota, and his dive into medical education in a virtual world through FoamPMR.

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, our host Student Doctor Jake Eggett sits down with Dr. Matthew Cowling, a resident physician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, an avid crossfit athlete, and a former football player. We talk about how he found physiatry, crossfit, nutrition, and more!

To kickstart our Fellowship Series as part of the AOCPMR Podcast, Dr. Chanel Davidoff and Student Doctor Jake Eggett spoke with Dr. Nadia Zaman, a recent Sports Medicine Fellowship graduate from Mount Sinai in New York City, NY. We discussed her journey into PM&R, how she decided on sports medicine, tips to set yourself up for success as a sports fellowship candidate, and how COVID-19 affected her fellowship year.

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, Student Doctor Jake Eggett talked with Dr. Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, an academic physiatrist who is the chair for the UT Health San Antonio PM&R department. Dr. Verduzco-Gutierrez is an accomplished leader in the field and has a passion for educating PM&R trainees. We discussed her journey into medicine, the UT Health San Antonio PM&R residency program, the COVID-19 pandemic, and advice for medical students pursuing PM&R in this unique application cycle.You can find Dr. Verduzco-Gutierrez on Twitter at @MVGutierrezMD

In this episode of the AOCPMR podcast, Student Doctor Jake Eggett sits down with Dr. Brian Sutterer, a PGY-3 PM&R resident at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Sutterer is best known for his YouTube channel where he covers the injuries of high-profile athletes. Since launching his channel 3 years ago, Dr. Sutterer has amassed 229,000 subscribers and accumulated over 22 million views on his videos. We discussed his YouTube success, the PM&R residency program at the Mayo Clinic, and the challenges of applying for residency during the COVID-19 pandemic.You can find Dr. Sutterer on Youtube and Twitter. Doctor Brian Sutterer Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHlB... Doctor Brian Sutterer Twitter: https://twitter.com/b_sutterer

In this episode of the AOCPMR podcast, our new host, Student Doctor Jake Eggett, sits down with Dr. Lindsey Migliore for a conversation about a relatively new area of medicine: Esports Medicine. Dr. Migliore is a PGY-4 resident at the Georgetown MedStar PM&R residency program. She is known for popularizing esports among the traditional medical community and has spoken at national conferences on the subject. In this interview, we talk about esports, the Georgetown residency program, working as a resident during the COVID pandemic, and incorporating OMT in the treatment of gaming injuries. You can find Dr. Migliore on Twitter at @GamerDoc

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, we sat down with Dr. Brandon Snead. Dr. Snead is a PM&R-trained ringside physician based out of Las Vegas who covers combat sporting events, like mixed martial arts and boxing. We talked about some of the nuances of practicing as a ringside physician and also about the new Sunrise Health PM&R program, where Dr. Snead is a teaching faculty member!

It's almost time to finalize your rank order list. What will your list look like? On this podcast episode, we interview Doctor Jim Eubanks from UPMC PM&R residency and hear his take on the matter as well as why he decided to start PhysiatryNow.

In this episode of the American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation podcast, we interview Doctor Chris Ha from the Mayo Clinic PM&R residency. Listen to his advice on putting together your rank order list and why he decided on going to the Mayo Clinic PM&R residency

Happy New Year! Start the new year off right with our new episode from Dr. Jeremy Jacobs, DO. Dr. Jacobs is the Program Director for Memorial Healthcare System PM&R residency in Hollywood, FL. Listen to his take on the future of PM&R and what his residency program has to offer!

In this episode of the AOCPMR podcast we get to know Dr. Natasha Romanoski, program director at the Penn State PM&R residency. Tune in now to hear about her path to program director and how AOCPMR helped her get there!

Listen to doctor Kimberly Casten, M.D., a PGY-4 at the University of Michigan PM&R talk about her path to PM&R, what she loves about her program and her words of wisdom for applicants currently on the PM&R residency interview trail!

On this episode of the American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation podcast, we sit with Doctor Elwert, Doctor Dixon, Doctor Lopez and Doctor Parrot from the University of Kentucky PM&R residency. They let us know their perspective on how many programs medical students should apply to, what to look for when applying for a PM&R residency and why they decided on Kentucky PM&R. 

Dr. Wisotzky is the program director for Georgetown, MedStar NRH and the director of Cancer Rehabilitation at MedStar NRH. He was also the Spotlight Speaker at the annual Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) meeting. Listen to Dr. Wisotzky talk about his road to becoming program director and on how to give yourself the best chance of attaining the residency of your dreams.

On our latest episode we interview Dr. Vish Raj, Director of oncology rehabilitation at Carolinas Rehab. Tune in to learn more!

Hear from doctor Reed C. Williams, MD, MBS. Assistant Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, on how to give yourself the best shot at landing the PM&R residency of your dreams and his experience in Sports Medicine.

Hear from doctor Goldberg, President of American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, on the future of PM&R, how he caught the physiatry bug, and how current and future doctors can get involved in contributing to and learning from the field of physiatry.