Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Hoyt Summerville walks on the GAITRite device while Ken Swantek PT, DPT, looks on. (photo by Susan Urmy)
November 17, 2025

New device collects data to measure gait, informing physical therapy programs, custom orthotic design

The mat, a portable, single-layer, pressure-sensitive walkway, takes precise measurements and collects data to measure multiple parameters of gait.

By Matt Batcheldor
The multidisciplinary team at the Moderate-to-Severe Acquired Brain Injury Clinic includes, front row from left, Michael Wolf, MD; Elizabeth Martin, MD, MPH, MHS; Jane Owen Robbins, OT. Back row from left, Tisha Coggin Clay; Charles Hausman, SLP; Kat Hedden, PT, DPT; and Mackenzie Phillips, SLP. (Photo by Donn Jones)
August 14, 2025

Acquired brain injury clinic helps children rehabilitate and reenter school

The clinic sees patients who have suffered a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury or a nontraumatic brain injury.

By Evan Dorian
Kristin Archer, PhD, DPT
August 4, 2025

Institute for Medicine and Public Health becomes ‘Institute for Population and Public Health,’ names Kristin Archer its strategy lead

The institute engages faculty across the organization in research, training, education and community activities aimed at translating knowledge into better health.

By Holly Fletcher
Artist rendering of the gym area for the new inpatient pediatric rehabilitation unit at Monroe Carell. (courtesy Blair + Mui Dowd Architects)
July 1, 2025

Community comes together to bring inpatient rehabilitation to Tennessee children

Currently, children in Tennessee must travel out of state, often hours away from home, to receive the intensive rehabilitation care they need, creating significant hardships and burdens on families.

By Christina Echegaray
Barton Huddleston, MD
May 1, 2025

Barton Huddleston appointed to State Rehabilitation Council

The mission of the SRC is to advise, evaluate and partner with the public vocational rehabilitation program in support of improving access to employment statewide.

By Matt Batcheldor
Jeffrey Johns, MD. (photo by Susan Urmy)
March 28, 2025

Jeffery Johns elected chair of American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Johns is the medical director of Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital and the executive medical director of the Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine Patient Care Center at VUMC.

By Matt Batcheldor
December 10, 2024

Vanderbilt’s D.J. Kennedy concludes term as president of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

The conference showcased the vital importance and transformative impact of PM&R, often referred to as physiatry, which plays a crucial role in health care.
By Matt Batcheldor
December 6, 2023

Study connects patients who visit the ED with acute flare-ups of chronic back pain with remote integrative health coaching program

Vanderbilt will pilot an eight-session remote integrative health coaching program for patients who visit the emergency department with acute flare-ups of chronic low back pain.
By Danny Bonvissuto
February 9, 2023

Team’s imaging strategy enhances lipedema treatment

A collaborative team at Vanderbilt is transforming the diagnosis and treatment of lipedema, a debilitating, abnormal deposition of fatty tissue that afflicts an estimated 17 million women in the United States.
By Bill Snyder
October 20, 2022

Coaching program takes new approach to physical therapy

The Vanderbilt Health Coaching Program allows health care professional to take additional training in the science of supporting patients to change behavior.
By Matt Batcheldor
July 21, 2022

Study shows benefits of health coaching for chronic conditions

A study led by Vanderbilt's Ruth Wolever, PhD, found that 10 sessions of health coaching for people at risk for coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes or both led to increased physical activity which was sustained six months after the intervention ended.
By Emily Stembridge
March 16, 2022

Teamwork returns man with severe post-COVID complications to his life

A multidisciplinary team at Vanderbilt helped José Ontiveros cope with a long list of severe complications arising from his COVID-19i infection.
By Jill Clendening
November 15, 2019

New Physician Spotlight: CJ Plummer

By Doug Campbell
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