Advancing Spinal Cord Injury Care: Global Perspectives on Innovation and Diversity

Join student hosts Rhoda Hijazi, OMS-III, and Tommy Tsang, OMS-IV, as they delve into the evolving landscape of spinal cord injury rehabilitation with two extraordinary leaders in the field. In this special episode, we welcome Dr. Isaac Hernandez Jimenez, Chair of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Americas Committee and Fellowship Director at UT Health Houston, and Dr. Melina Longoni, Vice Chair of the ASIA Americas Committee and Medical Director of ReDel Rehabilitation Center. Toget...

How to Make Your Rank List with Dr. Seidel and Dr. Momin

In this episode, our host Meghan Mardashti, one of the AOCPMR Multimedia Committee Co-Chairs, is joined by Dr. Seidel, DO, Program Director at UT Health San Antonio, and Dr. Momin, DO a third-year PM&R resident. They discuss key factors in ranking residency programs, balancing "fit" vs. prestige, common applicant mistakes, and how to make the final decision before submitting your rank list. Whether you're a fourth-year medical student in the thick of Match season or just starting your PM&amp...

A Patient’s Journey Through Spinal Cord Rehabilitation

What does it take to recover from a spinal cord injury? In this episode, we sit down with Charlie Powell, a spinal cord injury survivor, to hear his powerful story of resilience, rehabilitation, and regaining independence. Charlie shares his journey from the initial injury to long-term recovery, highlighting the impact of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) in restoring function and quality of life. We explore the challenges he faced, the role of a multidisciplinary rehab team, and...

Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine with Dr. Unoma Akamagwuna

Join our host Meghan Mardashti, one of the AOCPMR Multimedia Committee Co-Chair, as she sits down with Dr. Unoma Akamagwuna, Assistant Professor and Fellowship Program Director for Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. In this episode, Dr. Akamagwuna shares her journey into pediatric rehabilitation medicine, insights into her daily practice, advancements in the field, and advice for those considering a pediatric subspecialty in PM&R. She also offers invaluable guid...

How to Ace Your Residency Interview with Dr. Nick Elwert, DO

Join our host, Meghan Mardashti, OMS4, and our guest Dr. Nick Elwert, AOCPMR Vice President and the Assistant Program Director of the University of Kentucky's PM&R Program, as he shares invaluable insights on how to navigate residency interviews. Dr. Elwert discusses his advice on essential dos and don’ts and how to talk about your strengths and weaknesses in interviews. Whether you're preparing for residency interviews or have started on the interview trail, this episode will help you put y...

Spasticity, TBI, and Patient Advocacy with Dr. Cindy Ivanhoe, MD

In this episode, our host Meghan Mardashti, OMS 4, interviews Dr. Cindy Ivanhoe, director of the Spasticity and Associated Syndromes of Movement (SPASM) program at TIRR Memorial Hermann. Dr. Ivanhoe shares her journey in PM&R, expanding on her passion for brain injury and spasticity management. Dr. Ivanhoe emphasizes the value of a multidisciplinary approach and offers valuable insights for aspiring physiatrists and medical students. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that blends knowledg...

Exploring Osteopathic Medicine in PM&R with Dr. Gina M. Benaquista DeSipio

Join us in this exciting episode as we sit down with Dr. Gina M. Benaquista DeSipio, an osteopathic physiatrist specializing in neurorehabilitation. Dr. Benaquista DeSipio Is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, and Brain Injury Medicine. She runs her private practice in Philadelphia and serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, sharing her unique insights on integrating osteopathic me...

The Intersection Between PM&R, Exercise, and Training with Dr. Felicia Mix, DO and Dr. Alexa Moreira, MD

Join us for a fascinating episode with Dr. Alexa Moreira and Dr. Felicia Mix , where we explore the intersection of exercise, training, and physiatry. Dr. Moreira, a graduating PM&R PGY4, shares her journey from sports to competing in bodybuilding, while Dr. Mix, a PMR PGY2, discusses her active background in CrossFit, swimming, running, and biking. We delve into how weight training impacts physical health, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. Learn about common injuries in weight training...

Sports Medicine in PM&R with Dr. Dan Cushman, MD

In this exciting episode, our host Meghan Mardashti, co-chair of the AOCPMR's Multimedia Committee, welcomes the esteemed Dr. Dan Cushman, a renowned expert in Sports Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Dr. Cushman is a leading figure in musculoskeletal injuries and nerve disorders in athletes, and he serves as the team physician for various University of Utah sports teams. With his innovative approach of using exercise as medicine, Dr. Cushman has become a prominent figure in s...

Overcoming Mental Health Challenges with Dr. Morgan Cowan, DO

In this insightful episode, Meghan, our host, engages in a profound discussion about mental health with Dr. Morgan Cowan, a PGY-3 and administrative chief at UT Health PM&R. Dr. Cowan shares his personal journey and experiences with mental health during his 4th year of medical school, shedding light on the challenges he faced and how he sought help. He provides an in-depth look into his experience with self-doubt and how he overcame it. Furthermore, he explains how these experiences have sha...

Webinar Series with Mia Buhrmaster, Speech-Language Pathologist

Mia Buhrmaster is a Clinical Fellow Speech-Language Pathologist at the Advanced Institute for Development and Learning. She earned her Bachelor's in Health Sciences at the University of South Florida. She graduated with her master's in Speech-Language Pathology at Jacksonville University. Enjoy this talk about the essential role of Speech-Language Pathologists and how it relates to PM&R.

Introduction to PM&R with Dr. David Cifu

Dr. David Cifu is an Eminent Scholar and Associate Dean for Innovation and System Integration for the Virginia School of Medicine in Richmond, Virginia. He is also a Tenure Professor and Chair of the Department for PM&R. Dr. Cifu is the Chief of PM&R Services for the VCU health system, Founding Director of the VCU Center for Rehabilitation, Senior Consultant for Sheltering Arms Institute, and Senior Traumatic Brain Injury Specialist for the US Department of Veterans Affairs. This video i...

AOCPMR Podcast with Dr. Sean Dreyer

AOCPMR Podcast with Dr. Darsh Shah Part II

AOCPMR Podcast with Dr. Darsh Shah Part I

AOCPMR Podcast with Dr. Derrick Allred

In this episode of the AOCPMR podcast, Student Doctor Shahana Momin talks to Dr. Derrick Allred about his role as program director at the University of Texas at San Antonio’s PM&R program, do’s and don’ts for the residency interview process, and how to maintain a work/life balance in medicine

AOCPMR Podcast with Dr. Aslan Tariq

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, Student Doctor Loc Lam sits down with Dr. Aslan Tariq, an attending physician in the Chicago area and Chief Clinical Officer of Integrated Rehab Consultants, to talk about his journey into PM&R, advice for matching during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the business side of medicine.

AOCPMR Podcast with Dr. Finger

Dr. Nicolet Finger is a PM&R Resident at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio. We discuss how she discovered PM&R, resident life, relationships, and more!

AOCPMR Podcast with Dr. Alex Fogarty

Our Public Relations Committee interviews Dr Alex Fogarty to learn about her path to PM&R and her specific interests in the field. At the time of this podcast recording, Dr Fogarty is a chief resident at WashU in St. Louis, MO and anticipates beginning a fellowship in Sports Medicine.

AOCPMR Podcast with Dr. William Niehaus

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, Student Doctor Ryan Russell sits down with Dr. William Niehaus from the University of Colorado to talk about his journey into PM&R, a typical day in his life as a PM&R doctor, the founding of the Colorado RSVP Clinic, and the use of social media in today’s world as a medical professional.

AOCPMR Podcast with Dr. David Cifu

Dr David Cifu has been an academic physiatrist for more than 30 years, published more than 30 articles, is the current Associate Dean for Innovation and System Integration in the School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and the Senior Traumatic Brain Injury Specialist for the US Department of Veterans Affairs, among many great achievements and developments in the field. He joins our podcast to discuss his experience in the field and his many roles and experiences...

AOCPMR Podcast with Dr. Thomas Jan

Dr Thomas Jan is an osteopathic physiatrist practicing in Rockville Center, New York. He is dedicated to PM&R- in managing neuromuscular pain complaints and pain management as well as #MedEd . He serves as the director for Medical Education at Mercy Hospital and is also the Program Director for the Mercy Medical Center/Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center PM&R Residency. Dr Jan also proudly serves as the medical director for the Long Island Council for Alcohol and Drug Dependence and i...

The AOCPMR Podcast: Dr. Cosmo Kwok, MD - Pediatric Physiatrist at Baylor College of Medicine

Welcome back to another episode of the fellowship series from the AOCPMR resident council. In this new podcast, we are pleased to have Dr. Cosmo Kwok who is an Pediatric PMR attending at Baylor College of Medicine as our guest today. In this episode, Dr. Kwok will share more about his journey in medicine, his calling to become a Ped Physiatrist, his experience as an at Texas Children Hospital PMR department, and what are some of the requirements to pursue this subspecialty of PMR. Dr. Kwok Twitt...

The AOCPMR Podcast: Dr. Dragojlovic - Residency Program Director at in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, Student Doctor Shahana Momin chats with Dr. Nikola Dragojlovic, DO about a variety of topics including his eureka moment in PM&R and path to physiatry, his insights as program director for UT Houston’s PM&R program, his advice for current students applying for residencies, and so much more! The views, opinions, and factual statements presented in this video are those of the presenter alone and do not reflect the views, beliefs, and/or policy statements of t...

The AOCPMR Podcast: Dr. Nathan Darji, DO - Harvard Spaulding Rehab Brain Injury Fellow

Welcome back to another episode of the fellowship series from the AOCPMR resident council. In this new podcast, we are pleased to have Dr. Nathan Darji who is a Brain Injury fellow at Harvard Spaulding Rehab to be our AOCPMR podcast guest. In this episode, Dr. Darji will share more about his recent experience as a new fellow at Harvard Spaulding Rehab Brain Injury Fellowship, his advices on how to match into Brain Injury Fellowship especially during this new virtual interview environment, what i...

Dr. Andriana Tompary, DO, UNC PMR - Journey into PM&R, a typical day in the life of a PM&R resident

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, Student Doctor Shahana Momin sits down with Dr. Andriana Tompary, a PGY-II at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to talk about her journey into PM&R, a typical day in the life of a PM&R resident, the effects of Covid-19 on medical trainees, and advice for students interested in PM&R residencies.

Dr. Komal Patel - Brain Injury Physiatrist at George Washington University

Continuing our fellowship series from the AOCPMR resident council, we welcome Dr. Komal Patel who is a brain injury physiatrist at George Washington University to our AOCPMR podcast. In this episode, Dr. Patel will share his journey in the field of PMR and helpful insights in pursuing fellowships in Brain Injury Fellowship.

Dr. Peter Park- Washington University in St. Louis

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, Student Doctor Loc Lam sits down with Dr. Peter Park, a PGY-2 at Washington University in St. Louis. We discuss his journey to PM&R, his takes on a day in the life of a PM&R resident in St. Louis, MO, and his advice for medical students in the upcoming ERAS2021 interview season.

Dr. Reisman - University of Minnesota

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, Student Doctor Loc Lam sits down with Dr. Jonathan Reisman, a PGY-3 at the University of Minnesota. We discussed his journey to physical medicine and rehabilitation residency, choosing a residency and why he chose the University of Minnesota, and his dive into medical education in a virtual world through FoamPMR.

Dr. Matthew Cowling

In this episode of the AOCPMR Podcast, our host Student Doctor Jake Eggett sits down with Dr. Matthew Cowling, a resident physician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, an avid crossfit athlete, and a former football player. We talk about how he found physiatry, crossfit, nutrition, and more!