University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Anschutz

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

Bryann DeBeer, Ph.D., Director of the PSCI-SPC

Suicide Prevention Collaborative Wins National Award for Building Suicide Prevention Programs to Assist Veterans and Their Families

The VA Patient Safety Center of Inquiry – Suicide Prevention Collaborative (PSCI-SPC) was presented last week with the VHA 2021 National Community Partnerships Challenge Award on August 19th by Dr. Steven Lieberman, Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health.

5-0 START AT THE WORLD WHEELCHAIR-B CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Five games into the 2021 World Wheelchair-B Curling Championship in Lohja, Finland, and Team USA is positioned at the top of the team standings with a perfect 5-0 record. The Team of Matt Thums (Weston, Wis.), Steve Emt (Hebron, Conn.), David Samsa (Green Bay, Wis.), Pam Wilson (Denver, Colo.), and Bat-Oyun “Oyuna” Uranchimeg (Burnsville, Minn.), arrived in Finland last week to adhere to the health protocols from local and national health authorities. While acclimating to the time change, the Team began their Covid testing and underwent 72 hours of self-isolation before hitting the ice for pre-event practice.

Senior Covid-19 patients suffer 'brain fog' in drawn-out recovery

Unfortunately, rehabilitation needs for most older adults are often overlooked. Notably, a recent study found that one-third of critically ill older adults who survive a stay in the ICU did not receive rehab services at home after hospital discharge.

View Publication on PubMed

Tell your story with COVID-19 Narratives

It is no secret that health care workers are facing unprecedented pressure during the response to COVID-19. The University of Colorado Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is addressing this need with COVID-19 Narratives, an expressive writing program designed to support health care providers and staff who are experiencing distress from the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Recent News

2021 Gersten Day Keynote/Dennis J Matthews Lecturship Presentation by Dr. Walter Frontera

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

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Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (SOM)

CU Anschutz

Academic Office One

12631 East 17th Avenue

Rm 1201G

Aurora, CO 80045

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