Photo of Dr. Akuthota
Venu Akuthota, MD

Professor, Chair, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
CU Medicine Endowed Chair

Welcome to CU PM&R

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 University of Colorado Anschutz, 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 Oleszek, 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...​

 

Upcoming Events

PM&R News

  • Get to Know: Colin Malaska, MD

    Mar 20, 2026 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    CU PM&R spotlights our incoming Chief Resident Dr. Colin Malaska. Learn more about his journey to physiatry, time within our residency program, and goals as Chief Resident.
    Full story

  • Get to Know: Jeffrey Kepple, MD

    Mar 19, 2026 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    CU PM&R spotlights our incoming Chief Resident Dr. Jeffrey Kepple. Learn more about his journey to physiatry, time within our residency program, and goals as Chief Resident.
    Full story

  • Get to Know: John Hesling, MD

    Mar 17, 2026 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    CU PM&R spotlights our incoming Chief Resident Dr. John Hesling. Learn more about his journey to physiatry, time within our residency program, and goals at Chief Resident.
    Full story

  • What Taking Short Stretch Breaks During the Day May Do for Your Blood Sugar and Joint Health

    Feb 25, 2026
    Ryan Marker, PT, PhD, Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, was featured in this health.com article to discuss several studies that have shown that static stretching can produce similar decreases in blood sugar as those seen in response to aerobic and resistance exercise, both in the short and long term.
    Full story

  • Faculty Spotlight: Amanda Miller, PA‑C

    Mar 12, 2026 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    Senior Instructor Amanda Miller, PA‑C, spent three weeks last July providing primary care at a Northwestern University–affiliated clinic in rural Bolivia. Working with adult and pediatric patients, precepting a medical student, and supporting a sustainable local care model, Miller’s experience reflects her strong commitment to global health and service‑oriented medical education.
    Full story

  • Eye Tests Reveal Brain Trauma More Than a Decade After Concussions

    Mar 2, 2026
    A test studying eye movement in military veterans who suffered concussions found that subtle effects can persist for more than a decade. Scientists at the CU Anschutz Marcus Institute for Brain Health, including Jeffrey Hebert, PT, PhD, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, found that, for some veterans with brain trauma, changes in attention, processing speed and impulse control lingered long after symptoms had appeared to resolve. The study could help improve long-term concussion care.
    Full story

  • Dr. Scott Laker Concludes Transformative Year as AAPM&R President

    Feb 9, 2026
    Scott Laker, MD, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Adult Health, and Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, completed his year as the 2025 President of the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AAPM&R). Under his leadership, the Academy has a year of significant advocacy wins , including protecting reimbursement, safeguarding scope of practice, and advancing prior authorization reform.
    Full story

  • NIH Grant Aims to Improve Lifespan Care for Adults with Cerebral Palsy

    Jan 26, 2026
    Cristina Sarmiento, MD, assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, was featured in this ACCORDS article about grant funding to develop an online health tool for adults with cerebral palsy.
    Full story

  • What is Muscle Health? CU Anschutz Researchers Explore Creating a Standard Definition

    Jan 8, 2026
    Michael Harris-Love, DSC, MPT, PT, FAPTA, professor and associate dean of physical therapy education, and his research colleagues published a literature review that stresses the need for standardized definitions and consensus-based guidelines for assessing muscle health.
    Full story

  • Five Mobility Exercises for Low Back Pain

    Jan 5, 2026
    Amy McDevitt, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, was featured in this CU Anschutz Today article where she discusses mobility exercises for low back pain.
    Full story

  • Low-level blast exposure may contribute to leaky gut

    Oct 29, 2025
    VA researchers from the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in New York, in partnership with CU PM&R faculty members Drs. Molly Sullan, Andrew Hoisington, and Lisa Brenner learned low-level blast exposure during mortar fire training is linked to changes in intestinal permeability biomarkers and cognitive symptoms such as dizziness and concentration difficulties.
    Full story

  • Restarting Brain Healing After Stroke: CU Anschutz Joins Promising Stem Cell Trial

    Oct 21, 2025 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    William Niehaus, MD, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado Anschutz, is a co-researcher on a groundbreaking clinical trial aimed at giving stroke survivors a second chance at recovery long after the initial healing window has passed. The trial, called SuNR1se II (NR1-03), is part of a multi-site Phase 2B study led by researchers at Stanford University. CU Anschutz is now joining the effort, which explores the use of engineered stem cells to “reboot” the brain’s healing process 6-9 months, or even years, after an ischemic stroke.
    Full story

  • Exercise Helps Reduce Depression in People With MS

    Sep 3, 2025
    Dr. Mark Manago, associate professor of physical medicine & rehabilitation, was a featured expert in this HealthCentral article on the mental health benefits of exercise in people living with MS.
    Full story

  • A Weekly Workout to Protect Your Knees

    Sep 1, 2025
    Dr. Lauren Hinrichs-Kinney, assistant professor of physical medicine & rehabilitation, was a contributing expert for this New York Times article on how to minimize knee-pain through exercise.
    Full story

  • Can improved gut health help veterans with PTSD?

    Aug 10, 2025
    Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Dr. Lisa Brenner, and Professor of Integrated Physiology Dr. Christopher Lowry were featured in this UCHealth today article. A decade of research suggests that probiotics, which can restore microbial balance in the gut, could also be a key to reducing PTSD symptoms for some veterans.
    Full story

  • A Career of Care and Character

    Jun 16, 2025 by Zachary Noriega, MPA
    After more than three decades of dedicated service to the University of Colorado Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (CU PM&R), Dr. Michael Blei, Associate Professor, will officially retire on July 1, 2025. His career has been defined by clinical excellence, visionary leadership, and a deep commitment to patient care, education, and mentorship.
    Full story

  • Jacked: Rising Use of Steroids and Other Performance-Enhancing Drugs Carries Risks

    Jun 3, 2025
    Derek Stokes, MD, Assistant Professor and Sports Medicine Physician in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Alice Barnes, PT, DPT, SCS, Associated Faculty member in the Physical Therapy Program, were featured in this CU Anschutz Today article on the rising use of steroids and the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs.
    Full story

Recent News

Restarting Brain Healing After Stroke: CU Anschutz Joins Promising Stem Cell Trial

Dr. William Niehaus Headshot by Zachary Noriega, MPA | Oct 21, 2025
William Niehaus, MD, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado Anschutz, is a co-researcher on a groundbreaking clinical trial aimed at giving stroke survivors a second chance at recovery long after the initial healing window has passed. The trial, called SuNR1se II (NR1-03), is part of a multi-site Phase 2B study led by researchers at Stanford University. CU Anschutz is now joining the effort, which explores the use of engineered stem cells to “reboot” the brain’s healing process 6-9 months, or even years, after an ischemic stroke.

Eye Tests Reveal Brain Trauma More Than a Decade After Concussions

Jeffrey-Hebert Mar 2, 2026
A test studying eye movement in military veterans who suffered concussions found that subtle effects can persist for more than a decade. Scientists at the CU Anschutz Marcus Institute for Brain Health, including Jeffrey Hebert, PT, PhD, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, found that, for some veterans with brain trauma, changes in attention, processing speed and impulse control lingered long after symptoms had appeared to resolve. The study could help improve long-term concussion care.

2025-2026 Grand Rounds Schedule:

 

 Date Presenter Topic
Wednesday, September 3, 2025Cristina Sarmiento, MD and PanelBridging the Gap: Improving the Transition to Adulthood for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Wednesday, October 1, 2025David Howell, PhD, ATCInnovations in Concussion Management: Objective Measures to Enhance Recovery
Wednesday, November 5, 2025Brian Shimamoto, M.Ed
Managing Generational Diversity in Professional/Educational Settings
Wednesday, December 3, 2025Dom Chao, PhDChemobrain in Cancer Survivors: Neuropsychological Insights for Rehabilitation 
Wednesday, January 7, 2026Kyle Leggott, MD; Sarah Jolley, MD, MSc; Thida Thant, MDLong COVID in 3D: Pulmonary, Psychiatric, and Primary Care Perspectives on Function, Recovery, and Systems of Care
Wednesday, February 4, 2026Austin Boos, DOGabapentin and Dementia; Can Correlation Ever Become Causation in Observational Research?
Wednesday, March 4, 2026Marius Birlea, MDInflammation: Clinical and Pathophysiological Correlates in Primary and Secondary Headache Disorders
Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Andrew Haig, MD

10th Annual Dennis J. Matthews Lectureship: Global Health Topics & Resident Talk
Wednesday, May 13, 2026PhD Research SymposiumOrganized by Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley, PhD 
Wednesday, June 3, 2026Jeanie Youngwerth, MDPalliative Care and Rehabilitation: Bridging Goals to Improve Quality of Life

Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m.

University of Colorado Anschutz | Academic Office Building 1 - Room 7000 | 12631 E. 17th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045. In-person attendance encouraged.

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

 

 

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

CU Anschutz

Academic Office One

12631 East 17th Avenue

Rm 1201G

Aurora, CO 80045

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