News & Media

The CU Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation celebrated its 39^th Annual Gersten Day Rehabilitation Scientific Symposium on Friday, June 12, 2026. The presentations provided valuable research, much of which has been submitted for peer-review, and other content to the attendees.

The morning started with presentations by the outgoing residents. Adedayo Balogun, DO, presented on “Inpatient Neuropathic Pain after SCI: My Journey and Stumbles through Clinical and Data Science.” Emma Drenth, MD, presented on “Exploring the Relationship Between GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Ileus in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury: A Retrospective Chart Review.” Samantha Koerber, MD, and Karlisha Person-Jones, MD, co-presented on “Barriers to Transition for Young Adults with Pediatric-Onset Disabilities.” Haylee Yepson, DO, presented on “Guideline-Concordant Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in the Veterans Health Administration Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury System of Care.” The residents will celebrate their graduation on Saturday, June 20^th at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. In addition, several of our PGY-2’s gave poster presentations in the hallway.

Following the residents were the presentations by the outgoing departmental fellows. Kathy Guo, presented on “The Hidden Cost of Growing Up with Cerebral Palsy: A Qualitative Exploration of Insurance-Related Challenges Related to Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care.” Neha Anand, DO, presented on “Assessment of Audiovestibular Function Following Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case Series.” Suma Ancha, MD, presented on “The Association of Orthostatic Hypotension and Nocturia after Spinal Cord Injury.” Rehabilitation Psychology Fellow Samantha Scott, PhD presented on “Higher BMI Predicts Less Independence in Young Adults with Pediatric-Onset Rehabilitation Conditions: Implications for Weight-Inclusive Rehabilitation Practice to Support Autonomy.”

After lunch, Dr. Venu Akuthota acknowledged the retirement of Drs. Heather Baer and Deborah Saint-Phard, both of whom are retiring this summer after decades of service to CU PM&R. We are grateful for their contributions to our department and the health of our community. The department was honored to bestow Drs. Andrew Smith and Maryam Tahmasbi Sohi with the CU PM&R Professionalism Award. These phenomenal faculty members were nominated by their colleagues for this honor.

Finally, the department welcomed our keynote speaker CT Lin, MD, FACP, FAMIA, Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado, who presented on, “Generative AI in Healthcare: The Mundane, the Profane, the Insane.” The department is grateful to our keynote speaker, and to all our residents, fellows, students, and faculty for the incredible research and clinical care happening at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus that help advance the value of rehabilitation sciences.