Curious about a career in prosthetics and orthotics? The University of Washington’s Master of Prosthetics and Orthotics program was recently featured on the CredCast podcast. Learn more about our program with Program Director Stefania Fatone, PhD, BPO. https://ow.ly/hgOS50ZTYPZ

EPISODE 60: Small Cohorts, Big Opportunities: O&P Education at the University of Washington

Explore the University of Washington’s Master of Prosthetics and Orthotics program with Program Director Stefania Fatone, PhD, BPO.

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Katy Grainger went into septic shock after a cut on her thumb became infected. She survived, but a complication caused her to lose both legs below the knee and parts of seven fingers. Read more about Grainger’s story on Right as Rain: https://ow.ly/QzWC50ZTlmN

She Survived Sepsis

But That Was Only the Start.

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As kids head back to school, it's important to keep an eye on how heavy their backpacks are. In this video, physical therapist Jenny Chang shares what parents and students should know about choosing and wearing a backpack safely: https://ow.ly/U3xl50ZTBOA

A properly fitted backpack can help kids avoid pain - UW Medicine | Newsroom

News and information for journalists

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Registration is now open for the 2027 Sports & MSK Symposium. Join us March 13-14 in Seattle for Spine Care in the Athlete: A Comprehensive Approach to Rehabilitation and Resilience. Early bird pricing is available through Dec. 31, 2026. Learn more: https://sites.uw.edu/sportsmsksymposium/

On Aug. 22, our Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2027 received their white coats, marking the start of their clinical training journey. Congratulations to all!

Former rehabilitation psychology fellow Megan Weishaar, PhD, is featured by the American Psychological Association for her work supporting burn survivors. Dr. Weishaar completed her fellowship with us in 2025: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2026/09/megan-weishaar-burn-patients-cope

New resource from The Sports Institute at UW Medicine: The GamePlan: Emergency Response in Equestrian Sports. This free 12-module video series offers practical guidance for responding to emergencies in equestrian settings. Watch: https://ow.ly/rRCP50ZPT32

The GamePlan: Emergency Response in Equestrian Sports - The Sports Institute

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For people with MS, maintaining a healthy body weight can help reduce the risk of secondary progression--but MS symptoms such as fatigue can make it difficult to exercise and cook healthy meals. This Catch-22 can be managed. Dr. Gloria Hou shares tips with Everyday Health: https://ow.ly/yX9k50ZPOZF

MS Weight Management: Tips for Healthy Living & Diet

Learn how to maintain a healthy weight with multiple sclerosis, including tips on diet, exercise, and working with your doctor to manage MS-related challenges.

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Twenty-three years agon, a car hit Marlin, causing a traumatic brain injury. She was unable to walk. But, after enrolling in a research study with the UW TBI Model System, she slowly regained the ability to walk--thanks to medical research. Read her story at Right as Rain: https://ow.ly/q0RW50ZOOip

TBI Research Helped Her Walk Again

Bobbi-jo Marlin’s story

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Faculty from the UW School of Medicine will teach two full-day courses at the APTA Washington 2026 Conference, Oct. 3-4 in Bothell. Topics include Parkinson's disease care and rehabilitation of the overhead athlete. Learn more: https://ow.ly/u4ye50ZPegl #APTAWA #PhysicalTherapy

A new study is recruiting Seattle-area adults over 60 with chronic pain in order to evaluate mind-body treatments for pain management. Participants will be randomly assigned one of three treatments: mindfulness meditation, therapeutic hypnosis or listening to stories. https://ow.ly/KG9250ZO6lG

How can the mind be harnessed to ease pain? - UW Medicine | Newsroom

News and information for journalists

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A new study led by Mary Beth Brown, PT, PhD, is the first randomized controlled trial of a completely home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program for people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The results show the approach is safe, feasible, and effective. Read more: https://ow.ly/mU6E50ZMOpe

Faculty and adjunct faculty from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the UW School of Medicine are presenting research at the AOPA 2026 National Assembly this week in Las Vegas. See the schedule: https://ow.ly/y9jr50ZM6zN We hope to see you there!

Curious about becoming a physical therapist? On Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. PDT, join our Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program for a virtual information session about the program, admissions requirements, application process, and time to ask questions. Register here: https://ow.ly/eTHk50ZJz2B

Department faculty will share research and expertise at the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) National Assembly, this week in Las Vegas, from September 9-12. Learn more: https://ow.ly/NnbI50ZJFZi

Congrats to Cody L. McDonald, PhD, MPH, L/CPO, on being named a finalist for the 10th Annual O&P Woman of the Year Award. The award will be announced at the AOPA National Assembly in Las Vegas, Sept. 9-12. See the nominees: https://ow.ly/No2Z50ZJFYj

Will you be at the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals conference in Salt Lake City, Sept. 7-10? Our faculty and trainees will be presenting on spinal cord injury rehabilitation, clinical care, adaptive sports, and veteran health. We hope to see you there! https://ow.ly/Ztzu50ZIRBK

Have you searched for help with your child's feeding challenges? The Feeding Care-Pathway Study is seeking Washington state caregivers to participate in a 60-90 minute survey about finding feeding-related care. Learn more: https://ow.ly/2MiY50ZHuJR

Study to explore care access for child feeding disorders - UW Medicine | Newsroom

News and information for journalists

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Will you be at the Paralyzed Veterans of America Healthcare Summit + EXPO, Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2026, in Las Vegas? Several faculty will be presenting, including Professor Aaron Turner, PhD, who will deliver the John M. Whitaker Memorial Lecture. More details: https://ow.ly/PvwO50ZG8zh

Sarah Smith, MD, FAAPMR; Kirsten Schlosser, MD; and Ranee Munaim, MS, OTR/L, CHT, co-authored a Muscle & Nerve review on electrical stimulation in peripheral nerve rehabilitation, which shows promise for pain management and motor relearning, but more evidence is needed. https://ow.ly/5ZOn50ZCKxi

Today is #GMEProfessionalsDay. Behind every residency and fellowship program are the professionals who keep graduate medical education running. Thank you to our GME professionals for everything you do to support the next generation of physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians.

A new PM&R review by Clinical Professor Cindy Lin, MD, and Research Coordinator Theresa Kehne, BA, explores how routine physical activity screening and the ExerciseRx® digital health platform could help clinicians support healthier movement and personalized exercise goals. https://ow.ly/WVIN50ZzCsH

Associate Professor Heather Feldner, PT, PhD, PCS, has received a $3 million NIH R01 grant to lead the DRIVE Study, a multisite trial comparing powered mobility intervention and usual care physical therapy for toddlers with cerebral palsy. Read more: https://ow.ly/9gJT50ZzChj

For more than two decades, Seattle magazine has published a list of the region’s top doctors, as nominated by their peers. This year, 14 doctors from the Department of Rehabilitation at the UW School of Medicine have been named top docs! See the list at: https://ow.ly/QJ2Z50ZzBSY

Many medical students report receiving little training on Long COVID. A new free online curriculum, LEARN, helps address that gap by providing education for healthcare professionals. Developed by UW Medicine's Anita Chopra, MD, and Stanford collaborators. Read more: https://ow.ly/vmYO50Zz38l

New curriculum empowers future healthcare providers to recognize and treat Long COVID

A free online curriculum called LEARN prepares future healthcare providers to care for people with Long COVID. Built by doctors and students at 2 RECOVER study sites, LEARN bridges a gap some medical trainees see in their training.

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Our Summer 2026 Rehabilitation Medicine newsletter is now available! Read the latest news and updates from across the department: https://mailchi.mp/uw/news-from-uw-department-of-rehabilitation-medicine-13859647?e

Are you interested in learning more about our Doctor of Physical Therapy program? Join a Zoom info session tomorrow, Aug. 12, at 5 p.m. PT. Learn more and register here: https://rehab.washington.edu/news-and-events/august-12-doctor-of-physical-therapy-zoom-information-session/

"Pain is created by the brain to help protect us from potential damage," says Professor Mark Jensen in a Washington Post article about lower back pain. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, can help some people with pain resume daily activities. Read more: https://ow.ly/E2h150ZyAzX

3 science-backed remedies for low back pain that experts recommend

What to know about acupuncture, hydrotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic low back pain.

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Dr. Lyndsey Booker (left) and Dr. Charles Kenyon (right) are providing medical coverage at the U20 World Athletics Championships in Portland, Oregon. Best of luck to all the athletes!

Britt St. John, PhD, MPH, OTR/L, has received a $270,000 ACT4Rehab K12 award to study how families of autistic children access feeding-related care. The project will identify barriers and develop solutions to help children receive support earlier and more easily. https://ow.ly/OE1c50Zx5xJ