About Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Pioneers in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Excellence

Where recovery meets resilience, restoring ability and maximizing independence.

Transforming Lives Through Disability Care

The U-M Medical School Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) was founded in 1950 by James W. Rae, MD, making it one of the first independent PM&R departments in the country. Dr. Rae recognized the need for hospital-based research and education to support people with disabilities—an innovative vision that continues to guide our mission today.

Now home to over 70 faculty members including nationally recognized physiatrists, psycholgists, engineers, and research scientists. Together, in partnership with more than 450 allied health professionals, we deliver interdisciplinary care and advance rehabilitation medicine through groundbreaking research, education, and clinical innovation.

Our teams treat quality of life. We care for a wide range of disorders from catastrophic injuries such as brain injury, stroke, and spinal cord injury to musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain and knee pain. We are nationally recognized for excellence in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, spinal cord injury medicine, pediatric rehabilitation, pain management, neurorehabilitation and stroke care, and rehabilitation psychology.

Faculty

Our faculty is committed to making positive contributions to medicine, science and society.

Giving

Your gift will impact patients’ lives by propelling our ground-breaking work forward.

Our Mission, Vision & Values

Our Mission: To deliver excellent and compassionate care, advance science, educate the next generation of clinicians and scientists, and actively engage with the community with disabilities.
Our Vision: To be a destination program for patients, learners, and scientists in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation and related disciplines.
Our Values: Respect, Excellence & Innovation, Service, Collaboration, Advocacy, Inclusion, Trust

It is a privilege to lead such a talented group of individuals as we attempt to fulfill our mission. Our patient-centered approach focuses not only on diagnosis and treatment but also emphasizes functional independence and recovery using non-surgical therapies.

We are one of the top NIH-funded programs in the nation, and our research programs strive to define treatments and technologies with a goal to improve patient outcomes and well-being. We train the next generation of clinicians and researchers so that this legacy can continue for generations to come.

— Nitin Jain, MD, MSPH

James W. Rae Collegiate Professor, Chair of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Our History

Founding a Legacy of Rehabilitation Excellence

Established in 1950 by James W. Rae, MD, the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation pioneered hospital-based rehabilitation research and education at the University of Michigan. In response to national polio epidemics, the department expanded rapidly, launching comprehensive care programs and founding a nationally recognized Respirator Center at University Hospital.

Financial Independence and Renewed Leadership

In the 1970s, PM&R adopted a financially self-sufficient clinical practice model as health maintenance organizations influenced new approaches to rehabilitation care. In 1977, Dr. Theodore Cole was appointed chair, revitalizing the department’s clinical, educational, and research missions. Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology is also added as a division.

Expanding Access: From Hospital to Community

The department regains national prominence and moves into the new University Hospital in 1986. Expansion into community-based services begins, including the creation of MedRehab, the Orthotics & Prosthetics Center, and innovative rehabilitation technology services.

Pioneering Rehabilitation Research on a National Scale

Through the leadership of Dr. Cole, the department plays a pivotal role in establishing the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) at the National Institutes of Health, advancing rehabilitation research nationwide.

A New Chapter of Pediatric Care and Rehabilitation Innovation

Dr. James Leonard is appointed chair, driving growth in research, advancing pediatric rehabilitation, expanding orthotics and prosthetics programs, and deepening the department’s commitment to community-based care with additional satellite facilities.

Redefining Rehabilitation with Technology and Research

Dr. Edward Hurvitz assumed the role of Chair, strengthening the department’s academic mission and expanding its research programs. He championed interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly with engineering and robotics, opening new frontiers in rehabilitation science. His leadership advanced outpatient care, technology innovation, and national recognition of the department’s academic and clinical excellence.

Dr. Nitin Jain Becomes Chair of the Department of PM&R

Dr. Nitin Jain joined the Department of PM&R as Chair in 2024, bringing an exciting boom of research in rehabilitation as a primary focus. His leadership has increased basic science to augment the Department's previously strong applied clinical research focus.

Dr. Nitin Jain standing in a hallway wearing a gray suit jacket and gray plaid tie

Leadership

Executive Leadership

Nitin Jain, MD

James W Rae Legacy Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Professor of Orthopedic Surgery
Medical School

Jessie DeVito, MHSA

Chief Department Administrator

Sandra L Hearn, MD

Associate Chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Program Director, Residency
Program Associate, Musculoskeletal (MSK)
Sequence Director and Electrodiagnostic and Neuromuscular Medicine Education Lead, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical School

Rishi R Bakshi, DO

Clinical Associate Professor

Claire Kalpakjian

Associate Chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical School

Nicolette Gabel

Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical School

Joshua J Startup

Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Medical Director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Post-Covid Care
Associate Medical Director, Inpatient Rehabilitation Services at SJMC
Program Assistant, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Education Lead, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical School

Sean R Smith, MD

Associate Chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Clinical Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Medical Director
Physician/Clinical Advisor
Program Director, Cancer Rehabilitation Program, Medical School

Clinical Practice Group Leadership

Sean R Smith, MD

Associate Chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Clinical Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Medical Director
Physician/Clinical Advisor
Program Director, Cancer Rehabilitation Program, Medical School

Andrea L Aagesen

Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Program Director, Musculoskeletal (MSK) Program
Physician Advisor, MiChart Physician Builder and Program Assistant
Musculoskeletal (MSK) Medicine Education Lead, Medical School

Mary Schmidt

Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Medical Director, Burlington Spine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical School

Brian M Kelly

Clinical Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Program Assistant, Orthotics and Prosthetics Education Lead
Medical Director, Orthotics and Prosthetics
Program Assistant, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Medical Director, UMMG Faculty Benefit Appt, Medical School

Alecia K Daunter

Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Medical Director, Mott Inpatient Rehabilitation, Medical School

Nicolette Gabel

Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical School

Gianna M Rodriguez

Clinical Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Medical Director, Wheelchair Seating Services, Medical School

John A Yarjanian

Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Program Director, Spine Fellowship, Medical School