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. Together, we explore how innovation, diversity, and global collaboration are transforming outcomes for patients with spinal cord injuries. From the latest advancements in rehabilitation to initiatives supporting inclusive care across Latin America, this conversation offers insights and inspiration for students, professionals, and advocates alike. Tune in to learn from their journeys, their challenges, and their vision for a future where mentorship, representation, and cutting-edge science intersect to reshape spinal cord injury care!

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&R journey, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Website: www.aocpmr.org Instagram: @aocpmr Youtube: @AOCPMR

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 the importance of setting realistic goals during the healing process. Key Takeaways:✔️ The emotional and physical challenges of spinal cord injury recovery✔️ How PM&R specialists and rehab teams shape a patient’s journey✔️ The power of goal setting in rehabilitation✔️ Collaboration between rehab professionals✔️ How healthcare providers can advocate for spinal cord injury patients Listen now for a firsthand look at how rehabilitation medicine transforms lives. Website: www.aocpmr.orgInstagram: @aocpmrYoutube: AOCPMR

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 guidance on avoiding burnout and finding joy in your career, no matter where you are on your journey. Website: www.aocpmr.orgInstagram: @aocpmrYoutube: AOCPMR

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 your best foot forward!   Website: www.aocpmr.org Instagram: @aocpmr Youtube: @AOCPMR

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 knowledge and compassion in healthcare! Don’t forget to leave a review and share what topics you’d like us to cover next. Website: www.aocpmr.org Instagram: @aocpmr Youtube: @AOCPMR

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 medicine in PM&R. We explore how her trauma-informed approach and mindfulness enhance patient care, discuss the role and future of osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) in rehab, and gain invaluable advice for medical students eager to incorporate osteopathic principles into their practice. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the evolving field of PM&R!

The intersection between PM&R and Exercise

If ever wondered about what Sports Medicine looks like in the field of PM&R then this episode is for you!

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 shaped his approach to residency, emphasizing the importance of resilience and self-care. This episode serves as a rich resource for anyone looking to understand the mental health challenges faced in medical school and the strategies to overcome them.

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.

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 is a great explanation of what PM&R physicians do, what training is like, post-training career options, the next steps for interest in the field, and more!

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

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.

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!

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.

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.