In the short time since I have served as the director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, I have witnessed remarkable advancements in research and patient care made by my colleagues.

In late 2016, Stacy Suskauer, a pediatrician and physiatrist, won an award for outstanding research in brain injury rehabilitation from the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.

In early 2017, pain psychologist Stephen Wegener embarked on the second year of a research project to understand the risk factors for chronic pain and test psychologically informed physical therapy. He is now coordinating with Johns Hopkins physicians operating in the community to identify patients with acute lower back pain and test the intervention.

I look forward to more remarkable work this year. One particular development is the expansion of the Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis Center. Referrals for the condition are on the rise, and we want to continue providing the best neurologic rehabilitation care for these patients.

We also recently opened a new, state-of-the-art inpatient unit designed to help patients practice and return to everyday activities at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Lastly, we expanded the rehabilitation services for patients with complex medical needs, such as stroke or other neurological conditions, orthopaedics, and spinal cord injuries, at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

As always, if we can help with any physical medicine and rehabilitation needs, please let us know: 410-614-3234.

Pablo Celnik