Venu Akuthota, MD
Professor, Chair, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
CU Medicine Endowed Chair
University of Colorado
Welcome
We have discovered the next miracle in medicine -- and it is you. The fields of Rehabilitation believe in using your whole body to improve your human performance. The department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado
(which we affectionately call "CU PM&R") is at the forefront of using team science, regenerative medicine, and exercise treatments. It is uniquely situated in the state-of-the-art CU Anschutz Medical Campus, the first campus in the nation to be built from the ground up to bring research, education, and patient care into one visionary collaboration. Like the Rocky Mountains that provide a backdrop of our institutions, CU PM&R is on the rise! We combine the disciplines of rehabilitation medicine, physical therapy, psychology, speech/language therapy, and rehabilitation sciences into a singular department. The following video stories reinforce the mission of the department: "Growing the Value of Rehab."
The stories
of CU PM&R are countless, but here are a few. Joyce Olsezek, MD, a pediatric rehabilitation medicine physician at Children's Hospital Colorado, made an emotional appearance on the Dr. Oz Show describing medical miracles. She was part of the
CHCO team that rehabilitated severely brain-injured high schoolers to later walk across the stage at his high school graduation. The miracle of rehabilitation was clearly evident in this story.
PM&R News
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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Can it help your child?Opens in a new window
Mar 16, 2023Parenting special needs magazine spoke with Dr. Sue Apkon, Chief of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Fischahs Chair in Pediatric Rehabilitation, and Vice Chair for the CU Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and current trainees Drs. Deanna Claus, Emily Gianetti, and Andrew McCoy, to learn more about Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Opens in a new window Full story -
Children of color aren't getting early intervention some need. Why are there so many barriers?Opens in a new window
Mar 7, 2023CU Physical Therapy associate professor Dawn Magnusson was featured in USA Today on her extensive research on racial disparities in early intervention.Opens in a new window Full story -
CU School of Medicine Faculty Member Leads Efforts to Contribute Data to Limb Loss RegistryOpens in a new window
Feb 6, 2023In collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, Colorado’s UCHealth — a clinical partner of the University of Colorado School of Medicine — has become the first hospital system in the U.S. to agree to provide data to the Limb Loss and Preservation Registry (LLPR). The newly created national database collects limb loss and limb preservation patient data to improve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of limb loss treatment and limb loss preservation.Opens in a new window Full story -
CU PM&R Welcomes Dr. Stephanie Tow
Jan 23, 2023 byDr. Stephanie Tow joined the CU PM&R faculty on January 17, 2023. Dr. Tow is rejoining CU PM&R, having completed her Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Fellowship here in 2020. Dr. Tow specializes in pediatric rehabilitation medicine, pediatric chronic pain, and pediatric sports medicine.Full story -
“Trends in suicide rates by race and ethnicity among members of the United States Army” manuscript accepted by PLOS Journals
Jan 17, 2023 byResearchers at the Veterans Affairs Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, including faculty of the CU Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, have had their publication titled “Trends in Suicide Rates by Race and Ethnicity among Members of the United States Army” accepted by PLOS Journals.Full story -
CU PM&R and PT Welcomes Dr. EJ Gann
Jan 17, 2023 byDr. EJ Gann joined the CU PM&R and PT faculty on January 17, 2023. Dr. Gann will be involved in teaching the neurologic rehabilitation curriculum for physical therapy students and the Interprofessional Education Program. He will also continue to see patients with neurologic conditions at the UC Health outpatient clinic.Full story -
Partnership marks beginning of hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UCCSOpens in a new window
Jan 4, 2023Utilizing resources and talent from both CU Anschutz and UCCS, the universities plan to provide a unified academic curriculum for students pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.Opens in a new window Full story -
Pod 4 Opens in January
Nov 29, 2022 byOn January 9, 2023, Pod 4 will open at the UCHealth Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Englewood. This new pod will offer regenerative medicine, hand, and spine services provided by CU PM&R faculty members Drs. Scott Laker, Michelle Barlow, and Kyle Stoffers.Full story -
Rehab after a stroke: Nowhere to go but up for 49-year-oldOpens in a new window
Nov 2, 2022After 49 year old Cory Davidson experienced a stroke, the rehabilitation care team at UCHealth Broomfield Hospital helped him get his life and mobility back.Opens in a new window Full story -
Dr. Susan Apkon Awarded the Cure SMA Grant
Nov 17, 2022 byCU PM&R congratulates Dr. Susan Apkon and her team at Children's Hospital Colorado on being the recipients of a grant to partner with the Cure SMA Clinical Data Registry, which works to improve the lives of all those with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.Full story -
Managing The Gray Areas of Degenerative Cervical StenosisOpens in a new window
Nov 15, 2022Dr. Jason Friedrich was featured on the The North American Spine Society podcast to discuss "Managing The Gray Areas of Degenerative Cervical Stenosis".Opens in a new window Full story -
APTA President Roger Herr, PT, MPA visits the CU Anschutz Medical Campus
Nov 2, 2022 byThe President of the American Physical Therapy Association, Roger Herr, PT, MPA, visited the CU Anschutz Medical Campus on November 2, 2022. He toured UCHealth, met with faculty, and did a Q&A session with current Physical Therapy students.Full story -
Returning to activity is difficult, but possible with long COVIDOpens in a new window
Oct 23, 2022Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Dr. William Niehaus was featured in this article by Steamboat Pilot & Today regarding patients experiencing symptoms of long COVID.Opens in a new window Full story
Recent News
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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Can it help your child?Opens in a new window
Mar 16, 2023Parenting special needs magazine spoke with Dr. Sue Apkon, Chief of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Fischahs Chair in Pediatric Rehabilitation, and Vice Chair for the CU Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and current trainees Drs. Deanna Claus, Emily Gianetti, and Andrew McCoy, to learn more about Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Opens in a new window Full story -
CU School of Medicine Faculty Member Leads Efforts to Contribute Data to Limb Loss RegistryOpens in a new window
Feb 6, 2023In collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, Colorado’s UCHealth — a clinical partner of the University of Colorado School of Medicine — has become the first hospital system in the U.S. to agree to provide data to the Limb Loss and Preservation Registry (LLPR). The newly created national database collects limb loss and limb preservation patient data to improve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of limb loss treatment and limb loss preservation.Opens in a new window Full story -
Pod 4 Opens in January
Nov 29, 2022 byOn January 9, 2023, Pod 4 will open at the UCHealth Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Englewood. This new pod will offer regenerative medicine, hand, and spine services provided by CU PM&R faculty members Drs. Scott Laker, Michelle Barlow, and Kyle Stoffers.Full story -
Rehab after a stroke: Nowhere to go but up for 49-year-oldOpens in a new window
Nov 2, 2022After 49 year old Cory Davidson experienced a stroke, the rehabilitation care team at UCHealth Broomfield Hospital helped him get his life and mobility back.Opens in a new window Full story -
Managing The Gray Areas of Degenerative Cervical StenosisOpens in a new window
Nov 15, 2022Dr. Jason Friedrich was featured on the The North American Spine Society podcast to discuss "Managing The Gray Areas of Degenerative Cervical Stenosis".Opens in a new window Full story -
Returning to activity is difficult, but possible with long COVIDOpens in a new window
Oct 23, 2022Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Dr. William Niehaus was featured in this article by Steamboat Pilot & Today regarding patients experiencing symptoms of long COVID.Opens in a new window Full story
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Partnership marks beginning of hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UCCSOpens in a new window
Jan 4, 2023Utilizing resources and talent from both CU Anschutz and UCCS, the universities plan to provide a unified academic curriculum for students pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.Opens in a new window Full story -
APTA President Roger Herr, PT, MPA visits the CU Anschutz Medical Campus
Nov 2, 2022 byThe President of the American Physical Therapy Association, Roger Herr, PT, MPA, visited the CU Anschutz Medical Campus on November 2, 2022. He toured UCHealth, met with faculty, and did a Q&A session with current Physical Therapy students.Full story -
Creative Teacher Uses Research to Define ‘Anatomy’ of a CurriculumOpens in a new window
Aug 8, 2022Dr. Mike Pascoe was featured in the CU Anschutz Today "Creator in the Classroom" series.Opens in a new window Full story -
CU PT faculty represents excellence in education at the Education Leadership Conference
Nov 1, 2021As the American Physical Therapy Association celebrates its centennial, faculty from the physical therapy program demonstrated educational excellence and innovation through providing seven educational sessions and professional presentations at the Education Leadership Conference late October in Atlanta, GA.Full story
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A campus collaboration to improve knowledge translation and implementation of evidence-based practices for rural rehabilitation providers
Oct 11, 2021Instructional designers Michael Lampe and Lisha Bustos from the instructional design service center at Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences have paired with Dr. Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley and her team in the RESTORE lab to develop innovative approaches to workforce development, knowledge translation, and implementation of evidence-based rehabilitation practices targeting rural rehabilitation providers of patients with complex care needs.Full story
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Rehabilitation Science PhD students receive foundation scholarships for their professional development and research
Aug 24, 2021Two students, Michelle Rauzi, PT, DPT, ATC and Lauren Hinrichs, PT, DPT, OCS, both Rehabilitation Science PhD students under the mentorship of Dr. Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley received Promotion of Doctoral Studies I (PODS) scholarships from the Foundation of Physical Therapy Research.Full story
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Children of color aren't getting early intervention some need. Why are there so many barriers?Opens in a new window
Mar 7, 2023CU Physical Therapy associate professor Dawn Magnusson was featured in USA Today on her extensive research on racial disparities in early intervention.Opens in a new window Full story -
“Trends in suicide rates by race and ethnicity among members of the United States Army” manuscript accepted by PLOS Journals
Jan 17, 2023 byResearchers at the Veterans Affairs Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Suicide Prevention, including faculty of the CU Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, have had their publication titled “Trends in Suicide Rates by Race and Ethnicity among Members of the United States Army” accepted by PLOS Journals.Full story -
Dr. Susan Apkon Awarded the Cure SMA Grant
Nov 17, 2022 byCU PM&R congratulates Dr. Susan Apkon and her team at Children's Hospital Colorado on being the recipients of a grant to partner with the Cure SMA Clinical Data Registry, which works to improve the lives of all those with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.Full story -
New study from Rocky Mountain MIRECC on AAPI Veteran Suicide Rate IncreasesOpens in a new window
Oct 11, 2022A recent finding saw that suicide among Asian American and Pacific Islander veterans had significantly increased. The findings prompted a study launched by a team from the Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center in Denver.Opens in a new window Full story -
VA defends suicide prevention data, says problem is improvingOpens in a new window
Oct 3, 2022Dr. Lisa Brenner was recently featured in Military Times and Yahoo! News for her testimony before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on September 29, 2022.Opens in a new window Full story -
Cristina Sarmiento, MD, Selected as Winner of the Gabriella Molnar Pediatric PM&R Research Grant Award
Sep 14, 2022 byCristina Sarmiento, MD, assistant professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, was selected as the winner of the Gabriella Molnar Pediatric PM&R Research Grant Award for her project titled: “Growing Pains: A Mixed Methods Approach to Understanding the Transition of Care Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy in a Pediatric Rehabilitation Clinic."Full story
CAMPUS STATUS
CORONAVIRUS UPDATES
&
RESOURCES
CU Anschutz is operating a hybrid model of remote and on-campus activity.
Limited return to campus is underway. All that can be done remotely is being done remotely.
On-campus safety and screening protocols are in effect. These protocols apply even to those who have been vaccinated.
Learn More
2022-2023 Grand Rounds Schedule:
| Date | Presenter | Topic |
| Wednesday, September 7, 2022 | Daniel Craig, MD | Management of Acute Neurotrauma |
| Wednesday, October 5, 2022 | Rachel Frank, MD | Joint Preservation with Cartilage Transplantation |
| Wednesday, November 2, 2022 | Colin Franz, MD, PhD | Phrenic Nerve Mononeuropathies |
| Wednesday, December 7, 2022 | Lisa Brenner, PhD, and Andrew Hoisington, PhD | The use of prebiotics or probiotics to improve health - the promise, current reality, and future directions |
| Wednesday, January 4, 2023 | Danielle Melton, MD | Amputee care/Updates in osseointegration |
| Wednesday, February 1, 2023 | Jeffrey Berliner, MD | Updates in Spinal Cord Injury |
| Wednesday, March 1, 2023 | Francesca Konig, MD | Radiation Fibrosis |
| Wednesday, April 5, 2023 | Craig McDonald, MD (University of California, Davis) | Dennis J. Matthews Lectureship |
| Wednesday, May 3, 2023 | Maryam Sohi, MD | ALS Updates in Treatment and Support |
| Wednesday, June 7, 2023 | Vineet Chopra, MD | Mentor/Mentee Relationships and Mentorship Models |
Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m.
Anschutz Medical Campus | Academic Office Building 1 - Room 7000 | 12631 E. 17th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045
Livestream here.
Important Recognition Months and Days
| Date | Recognition |
| March | Brain Injury Awareness Month |
| March | Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month |
| March 8th | International Women's Day |
| March 30th | National Doctors' Day |
| May | National Stroke Awareness Month |
| May 27th | Psychology Day |
| September | National Pain Awareness Month |
| September | National Rehabilitation Awareness Month |
| September | National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month |
| September 4-10 | Suicide Prevention Week |
| September 7th | World Duchenne Awareness Day |
| October | National Physical Therapy Month |
| November 11th | Veteran's Day |
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (SOM)
CU Anschutz
Academic Office One
12631 East 17th Avenue
Rm 1201G
Aurora, CO 80045
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