Association of Academic Physiatrists

This episode is the first in a DEI-focused mini-segment created by the AAP Medical Student Council (MSC)'s DEI team.

On this episode of the ThisIsPhysiatry podcast, medical students Ashley Thornton and Rhoda Hijazi speak with Dr. Michelle Stern, Dr. Ruth Alejandro, Dr. Some Onuoha, Dr. Sunitha Polepalle, Dr. Nancy Strauss, and Dr. Naheed Van de Walle regarding the importance of advocacy in Physiatry and addressing health inequities in these patient populations. Learn more: https://www.mssny.org/take-action/physician-advocacy-day/

ThisIsPhysiatry is a podcast series that aims to spread awareness of the wonderful specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

In this episode, medical student Kristen Schill interviews Dr. Subha Hanif and Dr. Obada Obaisi, two physicians specializing in cancer rehabilitation. Dr. Hanif completed her PM&R residency at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and her cancer rehabilitation fellowship at the University of Michigan, and she currently practices at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Obaisi completed his PM&R residency at Rush University Medical Center, followed by a cancer rehabilitation fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center, and now practices at Rush University.

They discuss the role of cancer rehabilitation within multidisciplinary cancer care, the training pathway into the specialty, and how the field continues to evolve. The conversation also highlights opportunities for medical students to get involved and offers practical advice for those considering cancer rehabilitation as a career.

In this episode of the AAP Physiatry Tech Podcast, we speak with Dr. Krishnan, director of the Neuromuscular and Rehabilitation Robotics Laboratory (NeuRRo Lab), about how low-cost robotics, biomechanics, and neuromuscular science are transforming rehabilitation medicine. Dr. Krishnan shares his journey into rehab research, the mission behind NeuRRo Lab, and how his team designs accessible robotic technologies to improve movement and function across neurologic and orthopedic populations, including stroke, cerebral palsy, and joint injury. They also explore translational research, neuromuscular plasticity, human-centered design, and the future role of robotics in physiatry—making this a valuable conversation for PM&R residents, fellows, medical students, and anyone interested in rehab technology.

Guest: Chandramouli Krishnan, P.T., Ph.D., director of NeuRRo Lab at University of Michigan - [email protected] - https://neurro-lab.engin.umich.edu/home
Host: Bilaal Hassan

Dr. Andrew John is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. He trained and practiced in PM&R across different regions of the country, bringing a unique perspective on how health systems and patient care vary across settings.
In this episode, medical student Shreya Chalapalli interviews Dr. John about his journey in medicine, his work with global health, and his advice for students interested in PM&R.

Links:
Bio: https://orthosurgery.ucsf.edu/patient-care/faculty/andrew-john-0
Article he wrote as a resident for the AAPMR resident newsletter about navigating being Asian American in healthcare: https://www.aapmr.org/members-publications/newsletters/physiatrist-in-training-e-newsletter/phit-board-updates/where-are-you-from-thoughts-from-an-asian-healthcare-provider?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=AAPMR&_zs=1rH7l1&_zl=Tsog8
Medical Student Resources: https://www.physiatry.org/resources/featured-resources/medical-student-education/

Subspecialization in physiatry is classically thought of as a process that occurs through fellowship training as a result of narrowing interests during residency, but are there other ways to achieving similar expertise? Our RFC Technology Subcommittee member Michael Blatt met with Dr. Raymond Chou, a hand and upper extremity rehabilitation specialist at Stanford University, to learn more about how his job search as a resident led him to upper extremity rehabilitation.