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Our clinics are now seeing patients. We are taking every step possible to ensure your safety. Please bring your own face mask or covering to wear.

Clinical

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Education

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Research

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Photo of Dr. Akuthota
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. ​

Read more...​

 

2021 Blue Ridge Data

2020 Blue Ridge Data

PM&R Department is ranked 5th overall.

Dr. Stevens-Lapsley is ranked 3rd in Physical Medicine followed by Dr. Brenner in 18th place and Dr. Christiansen in 45th place. Overall, the University of Colorado is ranked 5th.


PM&R News

  • Photo from Parenting Special Needs Magazine

    Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Can it help your child?Opens in a new window

    Mar 16, 2023
    Parenting 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
  • Dawn Magnusson, PT, PhD

    Children of color aren't getting early intervention some need. Why are there so many barriers?Opens in a new window

    Mar 7, 2023
    CU 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
  • Photo of Dr. Melton

    CU School of Medicine Faculty Member Leads Efforts to Contribute Data to Limb Loss RegistryOpens in a new window

    Feb 6, 2023
    In 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
  • StephanieTowMD

    CU PM&R Welcomes Dr. Stephanie Tow

    Jan 23, 2023 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    Dr. 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
  • Photo of Dr. Lisa Brenner

    “Trends in suicide rates by race and ethnicity among members of the United States Army” manuscript accepted by PLOS Journals

    Jan 17, 2023 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    Researchers 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
  • EJ Gann For Website

    CU PM&R and PT Welcomes Dr. EJ Gann

    Jan 17, 2023 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    Dr. 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
  • Photo of Hybl Center

    Partnership marks beginning of hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UCCSOpens in a new window

    Jan 4, 2023
    Utilizing 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
  • Photo with Drs. Barlow, Stoffers, and Laker

    Pod 4 Opens in January

    Nov 29, 2022 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    On 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
  • Photo of Cory Davidson with his daughter

    Rehab after a stroke: Nowhere to go but up for 49-year-oldOpens in a new window

    Nov 2, 2022
    After 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
  • Susan Apkon

    Dr. Susan Apkon Awarded the Cure SMA Grant

    Nov 17, 2022 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    CU 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, 2022
    Dr. 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
  • Photo of Roger Herr, Michael Harris-Love, and Aryssara Bryndzia

    APTA President Roger Herr, PT, MPA visits the CU Anschutz Medical Campus

    Nov 2, 2022 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    The 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
  • Photo of Dr. Niehaus

    Returning to activity is difficult, but possible with long COVIDOpens in a new window

    Oct 23, 2022
    Assistant 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

Clinical

  • Photo from Parenting Special Needs Magazine

    Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Can it help your child?Opens in a new window

    Mar 16, 2023
    Parenting 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
  • Photo of Dr. Melton

    CU School of Medicine Faculty Member Leads Efforts to Contribute Data to Limb Loss RegistryOpens in a new window

    Feb 6, 2023
    In 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
  • Photo with Drs. Barlow, Stoffers, and Laker

    Pod 4 Opens in January

    Nov 29, 2022 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    On 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
  • Photo of Cory Davidson with his daughter

    Rehab after a stroke: Nowhere to go but up for 49-year-oldOpens in a new window

    Nov 2, 2022
    After 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, 2022
    Dr. 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
  • Photo of Dr. Niehaus

    Returning to activity is difficult, but possible with long COVIDOpens in a new window

    Oct 23, 2022
    Assistant 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

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Incoming PMR Residents 2022

PGY-2 Residents starting July 1, 2022

Education

  • Photo of Hybl Center

    Partnership marks beginning of hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UCCSOpens in a new window

    Jan 4, 2023
    Utilizing 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
  • Photo of Roger Herr, Michael Harris-Love, and Aryssara Bryndzia

    APTA President Roger Herr, PT, MPA visits the CU Anschutz Medical Campus

    Nov 2, 2022 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    The 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
  • pascoe

    Creative Teacher Uses Research to Define ‘Anatomy’ of a CurriculumOpens in a new window

    Aug 8, 2022
    Dr. 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, 2021
    As 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
  • 17 CU Restore Logo

    A campus collaboration to improve knowledge translation and implementation of evidence-based practices for rural rehabilitation providers

    Oct 11, 2021
    Instructional 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
  • Rehabilitation Science PhD students receive foundation scholarships for their professional development and research

    Aug 24, 2021
    Two 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

View All News

Research

  • Dawn Magnusson, PT, PhD

    Children of color aren't getting early intervention some need. Why are there so many barriers?Opens in a new window

    Mar 7, 2023
    CU 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
  • Photo of Dr. Lisa Brenner

    “Trends in suicide rates by race and ethnicity among members of the United States Army” manuscript accepted by PLOS Journals

    Jan 17, 2023 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    Researchers 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
  • Susan Apkon

    Dr. Susan Apkon Awarded the Cure SMA Grant

    Nov 17, 2022 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    CU 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
  • Dr. Lisa Brenner

    New study from Rocky Mountain MIRECC on AAPI Veteran Suicide Rate IncreasesOpens in a new window

    Oct 11, 2022
    A 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
  • Photo of Dr. Lisa Brenner

    VA defends suicide prevention data, says problem is improvingOpens in a new window

    Oct 3, 2022
    Dr. 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
  • Photo of Dr. Sarmiento

    Cristina Sarmiento, MD, Selected as Winner of the Gabriella Molnar Pediatric PM&R Research Grant Award

    Sep 14, 2022 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    Cristina 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

AFTER Study for COVID-19 Survivors

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

CU Physical Therapy, School of Medicine

Physical Therapy Program

Tweets by CUPhysMed Follow @CUPhysMed

2022-2023 Grand Rounds Schedule:

 

 Date Presenter Topic
Wednesday, September 7, 2022Daniel Craig, MDManagement of Acute Neurotrauma
Wednesday, October 5, 2022Rachel Frank, MDJoint Preservation with Cartilage Transplantation
Wednesday, November 2, 2022Colin Franz, MD, PhDPhrenic Nerve Mononeuropathies
Wednesday, December 7, 2022Lisa Brenner, PhD, and Andrew Hoisington, PhDThe use of prebiotics or probiotics to improve health - the promise, current reality, and future directions
Wednesday, January 4, 2023Danielle Melton, MDAmputee care/Updates in osseointegration
Wednesday, February 1, 2023Jeffrey Berliner, MDUpdates in Spinal Cord Injury
Wednesday, March 1, 2023Francesca Konig, MDRadiation Fibrosis
Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Craig McDonald, MD

(University of California, Davis)

Dennis J. Matthews Lectureship
Wednesday, May 3, 2023Maryam Sohi, MDALS Updates in Treatment and Support
Wednesday, June 7, 2023Vineet Chopra, MDMentor/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
MarchBrain Injury Awareness Month
MarchCerebral Palsy Awareness Month
March 8thInternational Women's Day
March 30thNational Doctors' Day
MayNational Stroke Awareness Month
May 27thPsychology Day
SeptemberNational Pain Awareness Month
SeptemberNational Rehabilitation Awareness Month
SeptemberNational Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month
September 4-10Suicide Prevention Week
September 7thWorld Duchenne Awareness Day
OctoberNational Physical Therapy Month
November 11thVeteran's Day

 

 

Our clinics are now seeing patients. We are taking every step possible to ensure your safety. Please bring your own face mask or covering to wear.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (SOM)

CU Anschutz

Academic Office One

12631 East 17th Avenue

Rm 1201G

Aurora, CO 80045


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