News & Media

CU PM&R is excited to introduce our new Chief Residents! Today we are spotlighting incoming Chief Resident Dr. Louis Nikolis.

What made you want to pursue a career in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation?

My passion for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation was sparked during my undergraduate years at the University of Pittsburgh. By pursuing a major in rehabilitation science, I was fortunate to gain exposure to multidisciplinary rehabilitation very early on. As I went on to medical school at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, I continued to seek opportunities to gain exposure to the field, and I continuously fell in love with the process of helping individuals achieve improved quality of life and improved function.

What made you want to choose CU PM&R for residency?

I was drawn to CU PM&R for a few main reasons: the diversity of exposure, the quality of training, and the people. At CU, we rotate at five main locations: UCHealth, Rocky Mountain Regional VA, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Craig Hospital, and Denver Health. By rotating at each site, we have the privilege of seeing patients from different socioeconomic backgrounds with various pathologies. More than that, we have the opportunity to experience a variety of rehabilitation systems and learn from so many fantastic faculty members. The faculty members are knowledgeable, friendly, and approachable. After my interview with CU PM&R, I had a gut feeling that it would be a fantastic place to train.

How would you describe your time as a resident at CU PM&R so far?

CU PM&R has exceeded my expectations. Our clinical experiences are exceptional, and our faculty love to teach. Our program administration and faculty have also gone above and beyond to help me plant the seeds for a successful career.

What are your goals as our new Chief Residents? What skills do you hope to develop as a chief resident?

As the Clinical Chief Resident, my main goal is to improve the resident experience at each clinical site by offering a more streamlined approach to resident feedback. I hope to continuously collect feedback throughout the year and strive to implement solutions at each site. Additionally, I look forward to working with my co-chief residents and expanding upon our amazing didactic curriculum, building upon our excellent mentorship programs, and promoting residency culture.

What are your goals after you complete residency at CU?

I have applied for Pain Medicine fellowships and cannot wait to see what the future holds!

Anything else you would like to share?

I am honored to serve as one of the Chief Residents for the 2024-2025 academic year and look forward to enhancing the resident experience.