Health Opportunities & Professional Engagement
About the CU PM&R Health Opportunities and Professional Engagement Committee
Welcome to the Health Opportunities and Professional Engagement webpage for the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado Anschutz.
CU PM&R is committed to promoting professional development and engagement in all aspects of our clinical, academic, and service work.
We strive to create a culture that is respectful of all individuals, where all members feel valued, respected, and supported.
Our CU PM&R Health Opportunities and Professional Engagement Committee is dedicated to implementing these goals through:
- Continuing to advise the Department Chair on matters related to professional engagement and opportunities.
- Supporting recruitment to rehab professions through broad outreach and volunteer activities for young leaders.
- Collaborate with the Executive Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs on selected faculty development training including career development and leadership.
- Support the CU PM&R community engagement and pro bono efforts (such as CU Global)
Collectively, we will strive to ensure that our patients receive culturally appropriate, quality medical care.
Members of Committee:
- Michael Harris-Love, PT, MPT, DSc, FGSA, FAPTA (Chair)
- Zachary Arcona, PsyD
- Catharine Johnston-Brooks, PhD
- Alison Colbert, PhD
- Scott Laker, MD
- Adele Meron, MD
- William Niehaus, MD
- Zachary Noriega, MPA
PT Advocacy in Washington DC!
2026 Students Alan Martinez, SPT [APTA CO Student SIG President] and Maren Porter, SPT [APTA CO Governmental Affairs Committee Student Representative] were two of over 500 APTA members who worked together to advocate for patient health and healthcare access on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. They spoke with legislators, representatives, and health correspondents about important federal issues impacting the future of physical therapy and healthcare as a whole.
“Healthcare access, opportunity, and education are vital parts of a nation's success and welfare. Thank you to everyone who helped us experience this amazing opportunity!” -Alan and Maren
The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is proud of our partnerships with DAWN Clinic and the Stout Street Clinic which both provide quality healthcare to underserved populations in the Denver Metro area and align with our greater mission to "grow the value of rehab."
Learn more about holidays, heritage, history, and identity observances, and corresponding events throughout the year.
Spring Health Awareness:
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Dates vary, February 22 - March 1 in 2026)
Patient Safety Awareness Week (Dates vary, March 8 - 11 in 2026)
National Sleep Awareness Week (Dates vary, March 9 - 15 in 2026)
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 10)
World Kidney Day (Date varies, March 12 in 2026)
World Sleep Day (Date varies, March 13 in 2026)
National Poison Prevention Week (Dates vary, March 15 - 21 in 2026)
Brain Awareness Week (Dates vary, March 16 - 22 in 2026)
National Native American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 20)
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (Dates vary, March 22 - 28 in 2026)
World Tuberculosis Day (March 24)
American Diabetes Alert Day (Date varies, March 24 in 2026)
Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness (March 26)
Education and Sharing Day (Date varies, March 29 in 2026)
World Bipolar Day (March 30)
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month (March)
National Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month (March)
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (March)
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March)
National Endometriosis Awareness Month (March)
National Kidney Month (March)
National Nutrition Month (March)
National Brain Injury Awareness Month (March)
Trisomy Awareness Month (March)
Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month (March)
National Public Health Week (Dates vary, April 6 - 11 in 2026)
World Health Day (April 7)
National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (April 10)
Biomedical Research Awareness Day (Date varies, April 16 in 2026)
National Transgender HIV Testing Day (April 18)
National Infertility Awareness Week (Dates vary, April 19 - 25 in 2026)
Every Kid Healthy Week (Dates vary, April 20 - 24 in 2026)
National Infant Immunization Week (Dates vary, April 20 - April 27 in 2026)
World Immunization Week (Dates vary, April 24 - 30 in 2026)
National Youth Violence Prevention Week (Dates vary, April 27 - May 1 in 2026)
Cancer Control Month (April)
Alcohol Awareness Month (April)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month (April)
Autism Acceptance Month (April)
National Cancer Prevention Month (April)
National Child Abuse Prevention Month (April)
National Donate Life Month (April)
National Facial Protection Month (April)
National Minority Health Month (April)
National Parkinson's Awareness Month (April)
National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month (April)
Occupational Therapy Month (April)
Oral Cancer Awareness Month (April)
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (April)
STI Awareness Month (April)
Stress Awareness Month (April)
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month (April)
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week (May 1 - 7)
World Hand Hygiene Day (May 5)
North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (Dates vary, May 4 - 9 in 2026)
National Amyloidosis Day (May 8)
National Stuttering Awareness Week (Dates vary, May 9 - 15 in 2026)
National Women's Health Week (Dates vary, May 10 - 16 in 2026)
Food Allergy Awareness Week (Dates vary, May 10 - 16 in 2026)
ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia International Awareness Day (May 12)
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (May 18)
National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (May 19)
Hepatitis Testing Day (May 19)
World Preeclampsia Day (May 22)
Don't Fry Day (Date varies, May 22 in 2026)
World No Tobacco Day (May 31)
American Stroke Awareness Month (May)
Arthritis Awareness Month (May)
Better Hearing and Speech Month (May)
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month (May)
Healthy Vision Month (May)
Hepatitis Awareness Month (May)
Lupus Awareness Month (May)
Skin Cancer Awareness Month (May)
Mental Health Awareness Month (May)
National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month (May)
National Celiac Disease Awareness Month (May)
High Blood Pressure Education Month (May)
National Osteoporosis Awareness Month (May)
National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (May)