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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jun 13, 2025 by Zachary Noriega, MPA

The CU Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation celebrated it's 38th Annual Gersten Day Rehabilitation Scientific Symposium. Attendees heard presentations from our outgoing residents, fellows, and current Rehabilitation Science PhD student, and our keynote speakers Pamela Wilson, MD and Michael Blei, MD.

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.

Jun 2, 2025

Six percent of the population are still feeling the effects of COVID-19 long after infection. William Niehaus, MD, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, was featured in this CU Medicine article on how PM&R can help manage long COVID symptoms and support recovery.

May 15, 2025

Wendy Pierce, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Practice in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, was featured in this Fox21 story on the Angelman Syndrome Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado.

May 9, 2025

Kristin Uhler, PhD, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, is researching how an infant’s ability to hear the differences between two speech sounds impacts language outcomes. Her work shines light on how language develops and may inform future interventions to address the challenges children with hearing differences face.

May 6, 2025

Amy McDevitt, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, was featured in Episode 64 of the The Tactile Traveler podcast on NPR, where she discussed proper standing techniques particularly for blind and low-vision people.

May 2, 2025

Dr. Cory Christiansen, Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and team, were featured in this CU Anschutz article for the SPARX3 randomized clinical trial which seeks to lessen the hold of Parkinson's Disease for patients.

May 1, 2025

William "Bill" Niehaus, MD wanted to become a doctor after experiencing his own health challenges in high school. Always interested in science, puzzles and helping people, Dr. Niehaus knew medicine would be in his future. As a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, Dr. Niehaus enjoys helping patients regain pieces of their life they may have lost due to injury or illness.

Apr 25, 2025

Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, was featured in this CU Anschutz Today article about knee replacement surgery and recovery.

Apr 14, 2025

Drs. Jason Friedrich and Kristina Barber discuss their recent SpineLine article, "Cervicogenic Headache: Bad Referral or Appropriate For Your Spine Clinic?' with moderator Jayesh Vallabh of the North American Spine Society podcast.

Apr 4, 2025 by Zachary Noriega, MPA

Last Friday, March 28, 2025, marked the official launch of the HOPE (Holistic Oncology Pain Evaluation) Clinic, a multidisciplinary complex cancer pain clinic. This initiative, spearheaded by Dr. Franchesca König, Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and team, has been in development for the past 1.5 years and is now ready to provide much-needed support to patients struggling with cancer-related pain.

Mar 17, 2025 by Zachary Noriega, MPA

CU PM&R spotlights our incoming Chief Resident Dr. David Gallacher. Learn more about his journey to Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, time within our residency program, and goals as Chief Resident.

Feb 27, 2025

Dr. Robin Peterson, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, was featured in the Educational Diagnosticians podcast. She is one of the authors of "Diagnosing Learning Disorders: From Science to Practice." This group of researchers proposed a Multi-Deficit Model of learning disabilities, and their research influenced the way we think about Dyslexia.

Mar 13, 2025 by Zachary Noriega, MPA

CU PM&R spotlights our incoming Chief Resident Dr. Emma Drenth. Learn more about her journey to Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, time within our residency program, and goals as Chief Resident.