Today is Thank a Resident Day, and we are celebrating our PM&R and Rehab Psychology interns, residents, and fellows/postdocs! Thank you for the dedication, compassion, and energy you bring to our patients and teams every day. Your hard work, teamwork, and commitment to learning make a real impact.

Aging in place is about retaining our independence and our comfort. Whether it’s for MS, recovery, or aging gracefully, choosing the right tool, like a shower chair, is just smart living. Read more on Wirecutter: ow.ly/peB050YkySx

Our faculty attended the 28th Annual Rehabilitation Psychology Conference (RP2026) from February 19-22 in Charlotte, NC. In the image: Professor Aaron Turner, PhD, (5 from left), Professor Jeanne Hoffman, PhD, (7 from left), along with other faculty members.

Professor Dawn Ehde, PhD, has been awarded a major €2.5 million (~$3.03M USD) grant from the International Progressive MS Alliance. This second round of funding was awarded to her team’s work on pain self-management for people living with progressive MS. Read more: ow.ly/vrSP50Yik9B

What happens when a child with a motor disability gets behind the wheel of their own modified ride-on cars? Reham Abuatiq, PhD, and Heather A. Feldner, PT, PhD, PCS, investigated the long-term use and impact of modified ride-on cars for children with motor disabilities. Read more: ow.ly/rLMR50Ycolw

Our physical therapy, occupational therapy, and prosthetics & orthotics students crafted over 130 handmade valentines for UW Medical System Rehab Inpatients across all Seattle units. A huge thank you to the students, faculty, and staff who took the time to foster this sense of community.

For his commitment to research and dedication to shaping the next generation of psychologists, Aaron Turner, PhD, has received two 2026 honors from the APA’s Division 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology). Read more: ow.ly/MNfS50YcoiE

Charles H. Bombardier, PhD, MS, received a $251,681 grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation to support a two-year study titled Patterns, predictors, and impacts of patient participation in therapies during inpatient SCI/D rehabilitation. Read more: rehab.washington.edu/news-and-eve...

Will you be attending the 28th Annual Rehabilitation Psychology Conference (RP2026) on February 19-22 in Charlotte, NC? We can’t wait to connect with you there. Our faculty will be presenting research and picking up a few awards: ow.ly/HHr950Yco9h

A new diagnosis or a lifelong mobility challenge should never be the end of the game. At the Kraken Community Iceplex, the team at Seattle Adaptive Sports (SAS) and volunteers from the Dept of Rehab Medicine are proving that if a sport exists, there’s a way to play it. Read more: ow.ly/FiGL50Yc2CH

For his impact on the science and practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation, David C. Morgenroth, MD, has been honored with the 2026 Carolyn Braddom Ritzler Research Award by the Association of Academic Physiatrists. Read more: ow.ly/ZP6u50Yco1P

Sujata Pradhan, PT, PhD, has been awarded a $39,980 grant from the Royalty Research Fund for a one-year study on gait impairments in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Read more: ow.ly/UjSA50YcnY1

Brian J. Hafner, PhD, and Bryan Roehr, CPO, will be recognized with national honors at the 52nd American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium this year. Read more: ow.ly/1UEz50YcnT9

Adedeji Adeniyi, MD, PM&R resident, has received the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award from the UW Medicine Office of Healthcare Equity. Adeniyi advocates for expanding opportunities within the medical field. Read more: ow.ly/jIFG50Yc2Ei

A new diagnosis or a lifelong mobility challenge should never be the end of the game. At the Kraken Community Iceplex, the team at Seattle Adaptive Sports (SAS) and volunteers from the Dept of Rehab Medicine are proving that if a sport exists, there’s a way to play it. Read more: ow.ly/FiGL50Yc2CH

Creatine helps supply quick energy for short bursts of high-intensity activity such as lifting weights, but it doesn’t build muscle on its own; it only makes resistance training more effective. Remember that it’s not a replacement for getting enough sleep, hydrating and eating enough protein.

More people are doing cold plunges. Sports medicine doctor Dr. McMullen says there seem to be benefits to cold-water immersion, particularly for short-term recovery and pain reduction. People with medical concerns should talk with a doctor before trying cold water immersion.

The American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting 2026 starts tomorrow! We can’t wait to connect with you there. See where our faculty will be: ow.ly/MRiL50YbRlY

Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor Anita Chopra, MD, received the Outstanding Mentor Award in the new UW School of Medicine Primary Care Practicum award series. Read more: ow.ly/mvkX50XU9zb

Zoe Massa, a Master of Prosthetics & Orthotics student, has received a 2025 Hanger Foundation Scholarship, which provides $10,000 per year for two years, to support future leaders in P&O. Read more: ow.ly/uNx350XU9qJ

Professor Mark Jensen, PhD, is a co-investigator on a recently awarded grant from the International Association of Pain to investigate chronic pain in children in Nepal, including its negative effects on education, development, and psychosocial dysfunction. Read more: ow.ly/Z4cp50XU9nW

Zoe Chang, a third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student, received an APTA Catherine Worthingham Fellows CSM 2026 Student Scholarship. Chang is one of only 15 students selected nationwide from more than 430 applicants. Read more: ow.ly/JoJI50XU9g9

Congratulations to Dr. Adedeji “Deji” Adeniyi, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) resident, on receiving the UW School of Medicine 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award. Read more on UW Medicine: equity.uwmedicine.org/martin-luthe...

Don't miss the 2026 Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine Symposium, coming to Seattle this March. The symposium will be held at UW Medicine South Lake Union’s Orin Smith Auditorium from March 21- 22, 2026. Read more: ow.ly/Gvb250Xw3bm

Did you know that horseback riding results in more serious injuries and fatalities than many other high-impact or extreme activities? A new video will show first responders how to help when injuries occur around horses. Link-UW Medicine: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAr7...

Professor Mark Harniss, PhD, has been appointed interim director of the Institute on Human Development & Disability (IHDD). Read more: ow.ly/j5i850XU9eq

Geoff Balkman, PhD, assistant professor in the Master of Prosthetics & Orthotics program, has accepted a new role as senior clinical development scientist in the ultrasound division at Philips. Read more: ow.ly/iKcw50XUajB

Briseida Ayala, a first-year student in the Master of Occupational Therapy (OT) program, has received a Phyllis Gutiérrez-Kenney Graduate Student Scholars Fellowship for 2025-2026 from the Latino Center for Health (LCH). Read more: ow.ly/h5am50Y0gxL

Please join us at UW Medicine South Lake Union for the 2026 Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine Symposium. The symposium will be held at UW Medicine South Lake Union’s Orin Smith Auditorium from March 21- 22, 2026. Read more: ow.ly/Gvb250Xw3bm

Zoe Massa, a Master of Prosthetics & Orthotics student, has received a 2025 Hanger Foundation Scholarship, which provides $10,000 per year for two years, to support future leaders in P&O. Read more: ow.ly/2wxQ50XU9qL

Professor Mark Jensen, PhD, is a co-investigator on a recently awarded grant from the International Association of Pain to investigate chronic pain in children in Nepal, including its negative effects on education, development, and psychosocial dysfunction. Read more: ow.ly/Z4cp50XU9nW

Briseida Ayala, a first-year student in the Master of Occupational Therapy (OT) program, has received a Phyllis Gutiérrez-Kenney Graduate Student Scholars Fellowship for 2025-2026 from the Latino Center for Health (LCH). Read more: ow.ly/3Nb650XU9al

Zoe Chang, a third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student, received an APTA Catherine Worthingham Fellows CSM 2026 Student Scholarship. Chang is one of only 15 students selected nationwide from more than 430 applicants. Read more: ow.ly/JoJI50XU9g9

Professor Mark Harniss, PhD, has been appointed interim director of the Institute on Human Development & Disability. Dr. Harniss has served as the associate director of IHDD and the director of the UCEDD for the past 2.5 years. Read more: ow.ly/j5i850XU9eq

UW Medicine’s Cardiac Resilience program is bridging the gap between cardiology and mental health. By integrating psychologists, patients can access counseling alongside medical care. Read more on UW Newsroom: newsroom.uw.edu/blog/buildin...

In this video, Dr. Janna Friedly, physiatrist, professor, and chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the UW School of Medicine, talks about what rehabilitation medicine is, what drew her to it, and what inspired her to enter the field. Watch the full interview here: lnkd.in/gt_Gsi6e

UW Medicine’s Cardiac Resilience program is bridging the gap between cardiology and mental health. By integrating psychologists patients can access counseling alongside medical care. Read more on UW Newsroom: newsroom.uw.edu/blog/buildin...

Wishing you happy holidays from all of us at the University of Washington Department of Rehabilitation Medicine!

We invite you to join us for the 2026 Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine symposium from March 21- 22, 2026, at UW Medicine South Lake Union’s Orin Smith Auditorium. Read more: ow.ly/Gvb250Xw3bm

Functional fitness is a set of exercises for your body for movements required in real-life situations. “Functional fitness exercises activate muscle groups in a multidirectional action,” says Christopher McMullen, UW Medicine physiatrist. Read more in Right as Rain: ow.ly/qHXG50XkH62

The 2026 Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine Symposium will be held on March 21 - March 22, 2026, at the UW Medicine at South Lake Union’s Orin Smith Auditorium. Register: ow.ly/Gvb250Xw3bm

UW researchers are studying ExerciseRx, a smartphone app designed to help people with multiple sclerosis stay active by setting personalized goals and sharing progress with their care team. The study design is online now in JMIR Research Protocols: www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e72213

The University of Washington School of Medicine celebrated the occupational therapy community at the first-ever OT student and alumni mixer on December 11, 2025. Faculty, staff, and current students connected with the alumni while building new connections across generations of OT professionals.

Join us on Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the 2026 UW Occupational Therapy Forum: Bridging Research and Practice. Register and read more: rehab.washington.edu/news-and-eve...

Dr. Mark Harrast, professor and medical director of the Seattle Marathon, expressed his appreciation to more than 100 healthcare professionals, students, and staff who volunteered to make the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon a huge success. The race was held on Nov 30, 2025. Read more: ow.ly/SzU150XG2I1

Mark your calendars for March 21–22, 2026! The upcoming 2026 Sports & Musculoskeletal Medicine Symposium will be held at UW Medicine South Lake Union’s Orin Smith Auditorium. Read more: ow.ly/Gvb250Xw3bm

On Thursday, December 11, 2025 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. the OT division is organizing the OT Student and Alumni Mixer at the UW Waterfront Activities Center (WAC), 3710 Montlake Blvd. NE. (Image: The Master of Occupational Therapy graduates of 2024.) RSVP and read more: ow.ly/PSpC50Xw25J

UW researchers are studying ExerciseRx, a smartphone app designed to help people with multiple sclerosis stay active by setting personalized goals and sharing progress with their care team. The study design is online now in JMIR Research Protocols: www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e72213

On Thursday, December 11, 2025 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. the OT division is organizing the OT Student and Alumni Mixer at the UW Waterfront Activities Center (WAC), 3710 Montlake Blvd. NE. (Image: The Master of Occupational Therapy graduates of 2024.) RSVP and read more: ow.ly/PSpC50Xw25J