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)
- 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.
Fall Health Awareness:
World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10)
National Celiac Disease Awareness Day (September 13)
World Sepsis Day (September 13)
National Folic Acid Awareness Week (Dates vary, September 13 - 19 in 2026)
National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (September 18)
World Rabies Day (September 28)
World Heart Day (September 29)
National Suicide Prevention Month (September)
Blood Cancer Awareness Month (September)
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (September)
Healthy Aging Month (September)
National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month (September)
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month (September)
National Cholesterol Education Month (September)
National Food Safety Education Month (September)
National ITP Awareness Month (September)
National Head Lice Prevention Month (September)
National Recovery Month (September)
National Sickle Cell Awareness Month (September)
Newborn Screening Awareness Month (September)
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (September)
Pain Awareness Month (September)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Month (September)
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (September)
Sepsis Awareness Month (September)
Sexual Health Awareness Month (September)
World Alzheimer's Month (September)
Mental Illness Awareness Week (Dates vary, October 4 - 10 in 2026)
World Cerebral Palsy Day (October 6)
Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day (October 7)
World Sight Day (Date varies, October 8 in 2026)
World Mental Health Day (October 10)
World Arthritis Day (October 12)
Bone and Joint Health National Action Week (October 12 - 20)
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day (October 13)
Global Handwashing Day (October 15)
National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (October 15)
World Food Day (October 16)
National Mammography Day (Date varies, October 16 in 2026)
World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day (October 19)
International Infection Prevention Week (Dates vary, October 18 - 24 in 2026)
National Healthcare Quality Week (Dates vary, October 18 - 24 in 2026)
Respiratory Care Week (Dates vary, October 18 - 24 in 2026)
National Health Education Week (Dates vary, October 20 - 24 in 2026)
International Stuttering Awareness Day (October 22)
World Psoriasis Day (October 29)
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October)
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October)
Eye Injury Prevention Month (October)
Health Literacy Month (October)
Healthy Lung Month (October)
Home Eye Safety Month (October)
Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month (October)
National ADHD Awareness Month (October)
National Bullying Prevention Month (October)
National Dental Hygiene Month (October)
National Down Syndrome Awareness Month (October)
National Physical Therapy Month (October)
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month (October)
Prenatal-Onset GBS Disease Recognition Month (October)
Spina Bifida Awareness Month (October)
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month (October)
National Brush Day (November 1)
World Pneumonia Day (November 12)
World Prematurity Day (November 17)
GERD Awareness Week (Dates vary, November 22 - 28 in 2026)
Great American Smokeout (Date varies, November 19 in 2026)
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (Date varies, November 21 in 2026)
National Family Health History Day (Date varies, November 27 in 2026)
American Diabetes Month (November)
Bladder Health Month (November)
National COPD Awareness Month (November)
Diabetic Eye Disease Month (November)
Lung Cancer Awareness Month (November)
National Epilepsy Awareness Month (November)
National Healthy Skin Month (November)
National Hospice and Palliative Care Month (November)
National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month (November)
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month (November)
Prematurity Awareness Month (November)