Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation News and Events

This year marks the 20th Annual Cadaver Musculoskeletal Anatomy EMG/MSKUS/Spasticity Injection Course. This is a CME course offered through the H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Baylor College of Medicine. The course started in 2007 and has grown to over 50 annual participants covering three days. National and international experts in spasticity, EMG, and neuromuscular anatomy and ultrasound provide hands-on experience for learners through workshops, models and cadaveric injection. Learners from over three medical school residencies, faculty and alumni come together each spring to share in the learning experience.

An article by Dr. Jack B. Mohney, First Chair of the Department, describing the rehabilitation unit at the Old Jefferson Davis Hospital between 1954-1956

Associate Professor Dr. Mary Rose Newsome is featured in this article from the Houston Chronicle that discusses the work she and other American doctors are doing to provide medical and financial aid to their counterparts in Ukraine. 

It is with sadness that we notify the BCM community of the death of Harvey Steven Levin, Ph.D., who died on April 1, 2022.

View the obituary prepared by the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Donna Bloodworth, M.D., professor of PM&R at Baylor, received the Philipp M. Lippe, M.D. Award at the 35th annual AAPM Conference on March 8 in Denver, Colo. The award honors physicians for their outstanding contributions to the social and political aspects of pain medicine. The American Academy of Pain Medicine recognizes individuals who have provided exceptional service to the academy or the field of pain medicine each year. 

Dr. Bloodworth has practiced PM&R and pain medicine for 26 years in Houston and has served the AAMP since 2011. Serving as AAPM treasurer since 2016, Dr. Bloodworth appreciates the challenges that pain medicine and allied health pain specialists face while caring for patients.

Dr. Barry S. Smith, associate professor emeritus of physical medicine & rehabilitation and American Academy of PM&R past president, was recently elected chair of the American Board of Medical Specialties Board of Directors. ABMS is the leading not-for-profit organization overseeing physician certification in the United States.

Dr. Prathap Jayaram, assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, received the Richard Materson ERF New Investigator Award from the Foundation for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for his research, "In Vivo Gene Therapy Treatment Compared to Autologous Conditioned Plasma for Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis."

The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation will honor two Baylor faculty members in recognition of their contributions to the PM&R field. Dr. James McDeavitt, professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and senior vice president and dean of clinical affairs, will be honored with the Distinguished Member Award and Dr. Faye Chiou Tan, also a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, will receive the Distinguished Clinical Award. They will receive the awards at the AAPM&R 2018 Annual Assembly in October.

Dr. Christian Niedzwecki received the Star Award for his outstanding contributions to the clinical mission at the May 4, 2018, Annual Faculty Awards Day. Dr. Niedzwecki was recognized for his work in developing the traumatic brain injury clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital, service as the medical director of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, and his endeavors with quality initiatives at both Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine.

Rochelle Dy, M.D., an assistant professor, in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, has been selected as a 2018 Clark Faculty Service Award recipient. This prestigious award recognizes her significant service with professionalism to Baylor College of Medicine, and her efforts leading to exceptional outcomes relevant to the College’s mission, vision and values.

Clark Faculty Service Awards will be presented at Baylor’s annual Faculty Award Ceremony in Cullen Auditorium Thursday, May 17. The ceremony will be followed by a reception in Rayzor Lounge for award recipients, friends and family.

Dr. Michael Lee, professor and executive vice chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, has been selected to serve as interim chair of the department effective March 2018. Dr. Lee takes on the role previously held by Dr. James McDeavitt, who stepped down to devote his full-time efforts as Baylor’s senior vice president and dean of clinical affairs. Dr. Lee joined Baylor last summer. He received his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1984 and his Master of Health Administration degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1999. Prior to joining Baylor, he was the Sidna C. Rizzo Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill since 1994.

Dr. McDeavitt will continue to work with the Faculty Group Practice to provide enhanced services for patients and to fully integrate Baylor physicians into the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. In addition, he will continue to serve as chief clinical integration officer for the St. Luke's Health System.

Dr. T. Dorina Papageorgiou, assistant professor of neurology and physical medicine and rehabilitation, received a grant from the McNair Medical Institute to continue her work focused on investigational targeted brain neuro-therapeutics, including the rehabilitation of visual cortical blindness, speech/motor impairment and chronic pain as a result of traumatic brain injury, stroke, brain tumor, neurodegenerative disease and pain syndromes.

Dr. Felicia Skelton discusses her work in the management of urinary tract infections and antibiotic use. (11:47)