Inaugural Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residents Begin Training

The first physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) residents have begun their training at Yale School of Medicine. This new residency program, which is part of the Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, is the second of its kind in the State of Connecticut that will train future physiatrists.

Physiatry is a unique medical specialty because it focuses on a holistic approach to recovery. Physiatrists aim to improve patients’ function and quality of life by evaluating all aspects of healing including physical, emotional, and social elements of recovery. These physicians treat a range of conditions from sports injuries to neurologic conditions, stroke, and arthritis. Some physiatrists also subspecialize in advanced pain treatment options that use non-surgical approaches to treat pain.

“An aging population is one of the main reasons driving the need for physiatry care,” said Assistant Professor and PM&R Residency Program Director Jennifer Hankenson, MD. “Age-related conditions such as arthritis, stroke, and degenerative diseases are increasing. The role of physiatry is to improve function and we can offer this to patients with chronic diseases associated with age. There is also a growing number of advanced medical treatments for pain as well as less invasive pain management options.”

Utilizing a team-based approach to medical care, physiatrists are often found working in multidisciplinary groups with other medical specialists such as physical and occupational therapists, prosthetists, neurologists, and orthopaedic surgeons. This will be particularly true for the PM&R trainees entering residency.

“During their first year, PM&R residents will learn the foundations of medical care that are essential to our specialty,” Hankenson said. “They will work on developing their clinical skills and will be exposed to rehabilitation modalities. Residents will be closely involved with patient management, mainly in an acute hospital setting, but will also have some outpatient exposures.”

“They will be expected to develop treatment plans and set rehabilitation goals for patients they are following,” she added. “They will also work on their professional development skills and will start to gain an understanding of our healthcare system and the broader role of physiatry in the medical field.”

According to Hankenson, these residents will spend several months with other specialties during their first year. They will work closely with internal medicine, neurology, orthopaedics, and rheumatology where they will learn in multidisciplinary teams that include therapists, nurses, case managers, and social workers.

“Our goal is to provide residents with a comprehensive education, where they will receive exposure to the full scope of physical medicine and rehabilitation from foundational knowledge to advanced techniques,” Hankenson said. “I look forward to our residents participating in community engagement by becoming advocates and promoting the importance of rehabilitation services and access for patients with disabilities. They will also be equipped to advance the field of physiatry by investigating ways to improve patient outcomes and rehabilitation practices. My personal hope is that they find fulfillment in their careers and experience the rewards of helping patients regain function as I have had the pleasure of doing in my own practice here at Yale.”

Meet the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residents:

Yale captivated me during my observership in 2023 with its enriching environment and sense of community. The welcoming family atmosphere and expertise of well-accomplished physiatrists left a lasting impression. Yale's outstanding reputation, cutting-edge research, and innovation in medical education are unparalleled. The state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion further solidified my decision. Yale provides an ideal environment for both personal and professional growth, and I am excited to be a part of such a distinguished institution.

My interest in PM&R began during medical school, where I became fascinated with the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. I realized that PM&R uniquely combines these areas, focusing on rehabilitation for a wide range of conditions, spanning from pediatric to geriatric patients. The specialty's broad scope and emphasis on enhancing patients' quality of life deeply resonated with me. The rewarding feeling of helping patients improve and regain their independence confirmed my passion for PM&R, making it the perfect fit for my career aspirations.

I am excited about the comprehensive training and diverse clinical experiences offered by the Yale PM&R residency program. Participating in research projects and collaborating with my colleagues and mentors will be invaluable. Learning from the best will help me grow as a resident, with the goal of becoming an academic physician. I am committed to contributing to the growth of future generations and giving back to society, and Yale provides the perfect platform to achieve my goals.

I chose Yale PM&R because of my interview day. Having spent the past ten years tied in some way to New Haven, as a Yale undergrad, postgraduate researcher, and fiancée of a Yale Medical student, I did not expect to choose to commit myself to another four. The excitement and energy surrounding the inception of the new program, however, was not only palpable but infectious. I envisioned myself becoming an integral part of what would inevitably grow into one of the preeminent rehabilitation departments in the country. I could feel the faculty’s warmth and eagerness to invite their future residents into their PM&R family. I chose Yale to not only continue to grow as a person and future physiatrist but also in hopes of giving back to an institution that has given me so much to be thankful for.

My interest in PM&R began as a path towards sports medicine. As a former athlete that struggled with injuries throughout college, the idea of working with young athletes to help them recover from injuries and return to play hit close to home. Throughout medical school I sought out opportunities in PM&R and was struck by the breadth and variety of the field. I began to enjoy the experience of having a diverse set of patients with a variety of diseases and pathologies, but all with a focus on functional improvement and helping patients regain a sense of normalcy. By the time I finished my third-year inpatient elective, I knew that I was going to pursue a career in PM&R. I came to appreciate the often-overlooked role of physiatrists in a patient’s road to recovery and I am incredibly excited to begin my training in physiatry.

During residency, I am most excited to work with the fantastic physiatrists in Yale’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department. I am looking forward to learning from their diverse interests and growing as a physician under their expert guidance. Yale’s PM&R faculty have an inspiring approach to patient care and foster an enriching and fun atmosphere for their trainees, and I could not ask for better role models for my future career.

Rotating with Yale’s faculty last year was my first PM&R experience. They made me feel welcomed, were patient with me, and answered all my questions. I left that rotation knowing that Yale had the perfect environment for me to grow as a physiatrist. If you pair that with having the opportunity to learn from the best physicians in the world, it became clear that Yale would be the ideal place for my residency. The rigorous academic training, supportive mentorship, and a diverse patient population will allow me to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a leader in the field of PM&R.

I knew going into medical school that I wanted to have a career that involved the musculoskeletal system. I explored multiple specialties through shadowing opportunities, and PM&R proved to be the perfect fit for what I was seeking. My experience volunteering at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis also had a profound effect on me. I worked very closely with spinal cord injury patients and seeing them regain functionality was inspiring. This solidified my desire to pursue PM&R as I realized that I wanted to be a part of a field that focuses on improving patients' quality of life and functional outcomes. The holistic approach of PM&R, addressing not just the physical aspects but also the emotional and psychological well-being of patients, resonated deeply with me.

I am looking forward to having the unique opportunity to be a part a new program, which will allow me to be a leader early in my residency. This role will give me the chance to shape the culture and educational environment of the program, ensuring that it fosters a great environment for future residents to learn. I am excited to work closely with the faculty and my peers to develop a didactic curriculum that reflects what we, as residents, want to learn. I am also excited to take on challenges that come with being in a new program as it will provide invaluable experiences that will enhance my problem-solving skills and adaptability. I believe being part of this group will be a rewarding journey and I look forward to contributing to the growth and success of this residency program.

Returning to Yale for my residency feels like coming home to a place that has already shaped my academic journey in profound ways. My previous time at Yale during my public health studies (MPH ‘20), which spanned the pre-COVID and quarantine eras, was a period of significant growth and adaptation. It is nostalgic to be back, witnessing both the new developments and the familiar sights around campus.

The support and resources available here are unmatched, fostering an environment where innovation thrives and new ideas flourish. The diverse patient populations at Yale present both a challenge to learning about a wide array of medical conditions and an incredibly fulfilling opportunity to gain insights from such varied experiences. Yale’s commitment to discovery and excellence makes it the perfect place to continue my medical career, providing me with the ideal platform to grow professionally.

I fell in love with PM&R during my medical school clinical rotations when I saw how a dedicated team of physiatrists and therapists could help patients recover from traumatic brain injuries. PM&R’s holistic approach to patient care, its focus on improving quality of life, and the close collaboration with other healthcare professionals were key factors in my decision to pursue physiatry. As I gained more exposure to the field, my interest in managing spasticity grew significantly. One of my favorite aspects now is performing Botox injections for spasticity, particularly in patients recovering from strokes. I appreciate that PM&R allows me to combine procedural skills with longitudinal care, enabling me to build lasting relationships with my patients over extended periods. I am confident that Yale will provide me with the tools, resources, and mentorship needed to excel in this specialty.

As part of the inaugural class, I am excited for all the hands-on learning and early exposure to procedures that my attendings will provide. The opportunity to dive into practical skills right from the start is incredibly thrilling and promises a rich, immersive experience. I am particularly looking forward to mastering techniques such as ultrasound-guided injections that will enhance my clinical competence. Equally important, I am looking forward to building strong connections with my co-residents and faculty. Orientation was a fantastic experience, thanks to our wonderful program coordinator, Vera, and I am eager to continue forming meaningful relationships with my PM&R team over the next four years. These bonds will be invaluable as we navigate the challenges and rewards of residency together.