Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

African American woman in pink crossing her hands over her breast
October 22, 2019

Another way to detect lymphedema

Early detection of lymphedema, which occurs in 20% of patients following breast cancer treatment, may improve therapeutic options for patients.

By Sanjay Mishra
September 20, 2018

Fibromyalgia: More doctor visits mean fewer suicide attempts

Fibromyalgia patients who regularly visit their physicians are much less likely to attempt suicide than those who do not, according to a new Vanderbilt University Medical Center study published in Arthritis Care & Research.

By Craig Boerner
May 17, 2018

Bladder pain syndrome no laughing matter for comedian

Local comedian Ashley Corby, 35, overshares with her audience as part of her standup routine, including a 5-minute bit about “shady” rest areas she has visited due to interstitial cystitis (IC), a bladder pain syndrome affecting 3 million to 8 million people in the United States.

By Craig Boerner
April 12, 2018

Johns to help guide PM&R certification process

Jeffery Johns, MD, medical director of Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital, has been elected to the board of directors of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

By Tom Wilemon
March 8, 2018

Stallworth’s Johns draws on broad background

As a freshman at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Jeff Johns, MD, spotted someone practicing for cheerleader tryouts. Although he had never once tumbled in gymnastics or participated in cheerleading before, Johns asked her to teach him some basics.

By Jill Clendening
January 11, 2018

Kennedy named chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

David J. “D.J.” Kennedy, MD, clinical associate professor and residency program director in the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with Stanford University’s Department of Orthopaedics, has been named chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). Kennedy will join the faculty on April 1.

By John Howser
September 7, 2017

Palmucci named CEO of Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital

Jeffrey Palmucci, who has served as the interim Chief Operating Officer for Vanderbilt-Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital since April, has been named the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, effective Sept. 18.
By Nancy Humphrey
March 30, 2017

Clinical trial to assess shoulder pain treatments

Nitin Jain, M.D., MSPH, associate professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Orthopaedics, has been awarded a $7.5 million contract to determine whether surgery or non-operative therapy works better for a common age-related injury that costs the health care systems billions of dollars — rotator cuff tears.
By Tom Wilemon
February 23, 2017

First class of PM&R residents sets bar high for new program

The inaugural class of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency program is making a big impact on patient care and research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC).
By Tom Wilemon
February 23, 2017

Search committee for next PM&R chair appointed

Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and dean of the School of Medicine, has appointed a 14-member committee to conduct a national search for the new chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R).
By Nancy Humphrey
January 26, 2017

Frontera to step down as Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation chair

Walter Frontera, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), will step down from his role as the department’s leader on Feb. 28.
By John Howser
October 20, 2016

Effort aims to measure resiliency in injured soldiers

Physical therapists use questionnaires to identify patients at risk for slow recovery, but those tools aren’t tailored to assess the resiliency of injured U.S. military personnel.
By Tom Wilemon
September 22, 2016

National Lymphedema Network honors VUMC research efforts

Lymphedema research conducted at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) to better understand patient risk for this chronic condition and treatment responses received recognition at an international conference.
By Tom Wilemon