University of Cincinnati

PM&R Residency Program

Clinical Training

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Residency Program at the University of Cincinnati includes diverse, thorough exposure to the field of PM&R. We are a categorical program which allows our first year residents to work alongside internal medicine, neurology, ophthalmology, and anesthesiology residents at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center before joining us during PGY-2 year to start your PM&R education. The year is broken down into thirteen 4-week long blocks and you can find the details below!

Where We Work

At University of Cincinnati, residents are able to work at several different campuses within a 20-minute radius. These locations include University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Daniel Drake Center, Gardner Neuroscience Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and the Cincinnati VA.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • You will be working alongside Internal Medicine, Neurology, Anesthesia, and Ophthalmology residents at UC Medical Center. The 6 months of Internal Medicine include a mix of general wards, VA general wards, renal, cardiology, GI, etc. Orthopedics will include both inpatient and outpatient clinics with an option for OR experience if interested. Urology will include outpatient and OR experience (observing). It is a busy year but gives you the opportunity to meet friends and understand the hospital system!

  • As a PGY2, you will be new to the world of PM&R and it has a lot to offer! This half day clinic opportunity gives you a chance to explore any interests you may have within PM&R. Once a week, you will attend the clinic of your choice. You can change the clinic at any time and are free to try several clinics throughout the year. This is an excellent, low pressure opportunity to help you identify your interests within the field.

  • We will see patients 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) at The Drake Center (Located just North of Cincinnati). Our responsibilities include medical management in addition to working closely with excellent Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, and Case Management to work towards our patient's goals and functional recovery. The patient population includes a variety of diagnoses ranging from SCI, TBI, Stroke, Amputee, and Trauma patients. We have two services made up of one senior and one junior resident, as well as rotating medical students.

  • Consults will be performed at UC Medical Center. These consults will address spasticity management, agitation, baclofen management, etc. In addition, this will gives us the opportunity to meet patients at early onset of injury, promoting continuity of care and early intervention.

  • The PM&R Outpatient Clinic is located at The Drake Center (Same as Inpatient Rehab). This office houses the MSK/Sports, Neurorehab, SCI, and Prosthetics & Orthotics clinic. The Drake Center also houses the fluoroscopic suite.

    MSK/Sports: Ultrasound guided joint injections, anatomically guided joint injections, Nerve Blocks

    Prosthetics & Orthotics: Multi-disciplinary clinic for both medical management and evaluation/modification of prosthetics and orthotics

    SCI: Multi-disciplinary clinic (Wound care, OBGYN, Urology) for management of spasticity, bowel, bladder, skin, pain, mood, and evaluation for equipment needs

    Neurorehab: Exposure to management of chronic pain and migraines with neurology-trained attending as well as excellent exposure to spasticity management with medications, Botox injections, and baclofen pump management.

  • Didactics are held every Thursday morning. This is protected time where all residents are excused from clinical duties. Our lectures include an intro to PM&R lecture series, EMG and MSK conferences, gross anatomy series, DEI/social justice topics, and ultrasound courses taught by various faculty, residents, and guest lecturers. Thursdays are also a fun time for residents to come together and bond over baked goods! We all take turns baking (or buying) a snack to enjoy throughout the morning!

  • As a PGY-2, you begin taking call for the inpatient rehab service at Drake. Call is from Friday afternoon through the next Friday morning. We take home-call meaning we hold the pager and answer calls whenever the inpatient team leaves for the day. We also go in and round on the patients on Saturday mornings. The amount of call decreases as you advance through the program.

  • Several attendings within the UC PM&R program perform interventional spine procedures. Procedures include Epidural Spinal Injections, Nerve Root Injections, Facet Joint Injections, SI Joint Injections, Medial Branch Blocks, Radiofrequency Ablations, MILD procedure, and Spinal Cord Stimulator Trials. A fluoroscopic suite is located at The Drake Center and at the VA.

  • A former resident, current attending, helped to create The Bridge Adaptive Sports and Recreation. Opportunities include adaptive rock climbing, hand-cycling, sled hockey, and wheelchair basketball.