Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Awarded Best Hospitals for Rehabilitation by US News and World Report
Since 1992, the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) program has trained residents in all aspects of rehabilitation and physical medicine. Subsequently, we’ve produced physicians with a broad set of skills that will prepare them for a smooth transition to fellowship training, a general private practice or an academic career.
The program has a combined categorical and advanced Match program that has been fully accredited – at the maximum cycle length of 5 years – since its inception by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Over the last five years, 95% of residents have passed their written boards and 95% passed their oral boards on the first try – numbers that significantly surpass the national average.
In our program, residents will gain a solid foundation in the following specialty areas:
- Neurotrauma (brain injury and spinal cord injury) rehabilitation
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Prosthetics and orthotics
- Musculoskeletal medicine
- Pediatric rehabilitation
- Oncology rehabilitation
Where You Will Train
Carolinas Rehabilitation
The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Program is located in Carolinas Rehabilitation and adjacent to Carolinas Medical Center. Carolinas Rehabilitation is one of the largest rehabilitation providers in the nation with a 192-bed, CARF-accredited acute rehabilitation facility that provides inpatient care at 4 locations as well as Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital. The facility also includes many outpatient facilities throughout the Charlotte region.
Our new state-of-the-art rehabilitation hospital is coming in 2022. Our new facility is being thoughtfully designed to help us provide the very best care to those with the most challenging conditions – throughout the Carolinas and beyond.
Learn moreMore information on Carolinas Rehabilitation’s 4 inpatient hospitals and Levine Children’s Hospital:
- Carolinas Rehabilitation - Charlotte
- Carolinas Rehabilitation - Mount Holly
- Carolinas Rehabilitation - NorthEast
- Carolinas Rehabilitation - Pineville
- Levine Children’s Hospital
Residents will also train at outpatient rehabilitation facilities across the Charlotte region, which provide a variety of programs and services to their patients.
Learn morePM&R Faculty and Directors highlight the Residency Program at CMC/Carolinas Rehab
Opportunity, Diversity and Community: An Inside Look at Our Programs
What Residents are Saying About the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Program
-
Natalie Cignetti, MD
Academic Chief Resident
“I have enjoyed my time at Carolina’s Rehabilitation (CR) for several reasons. Being located in Charlotte—a busy, growing city that serves much of western North Carolina—we have the opportunity to treat a profound number of complex rehab conditions such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, strokes, amputations, etc, making CR an engaging and rewarding place to train. The people here are genuinely supportive and passionate about what they do, which makes a huge difference day to day. As someone who is interested in sports/spine care, I have enjoyed the Ultrasound curriculum, where we get hands-on US practice once a month, and the interventional spine workshops where we can practice various injections in a cadaver lab. CR has opportunities for any/all special interests within the broad field of PM&R.”
-
Thomas Powell, DO
Administrative Chief Resident
"Carolinas Rehabilitation provides exceptional exposure across the breadth of physiatry and adequately prepares residents regardless of their aspirations after graduation. This exposure ranges from extensive academic inpatient opportunities through multiple subspecialities to more procedural based musculoskeletal or interventional spine clinics. Several workshops are also incorporated into our didactic series to prepare us for the hands-on aspect of the field. Outside of the academic fortitude, the program has a litany of genuine and helpful personalities which makes for strong work relationships. These are just a few of the numerous reasons that make Carolinas Rehabilitation my home as I complete my medical training while being in one of the best East Coast cities!"
-
Emily Rothermel, MD
Quality Improvement Chief Resident
“Reflecting on my time as a resident at Carolinas Rehabilitation, I truly feel that I have grown so much personally and professionally. This program has exposed me to a diverse array of training experiences, which has enhanced my clinical decision-making and diagnostic skills and has given me the confidence that I will need moving forward with my career. I feel so lucky to be able to train at a program where there is an emphasis on the interdisciplinary team, allowing for a collaborative work environment with nurses, therapists, and other specialists to deliver comprehensive care to our patients. Finally, getting to work with our experienced faculty has allowed me to hone my communication, leadership and problem-solving skills, and has helped to shape me into the person that I am today!
PM&R Residents and Fellows share a typical day at Carolinas Rehab
Meet the Faculty
“Our residency program is structured to provide a diverse clinical experience in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Our faculty, residents, and staff share a deep commitment to education, research, and diversity. At Carolinas Rehabilitation, however, we are as proud of the quality of our broad-based Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation program as we are of our open, welcoming environment. Our program fosters a close-knit, family environment that is evident in the interactions of our residents, faculty, and graduates. By ensuring support and encouragement of our residents, we allow them the opportunity to focus on the most important task at hand – learning!”
Kelly Crawford, MD
Residency Program Director
Brain Injury Fellowship Director
Brain Injury Medical Director
With a nationally and internationally renowned team of physicians who serve as faculty, our residents have access to a variety of experiences and knowledge in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation program. View their bios here.
Program Curriculum
Residents of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation program will have many learning and teaching experiences, including:
- Rotations in a variety of sub-specialized rotations, including cancer rehabilitation, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, musculoskeletal medicine, stroke, orthopedic and amputation, pain, palliative care and hospice, pediatric rehabilitation, rheumatology, spinal cord injury, sports medicine and traumatic brain injury.
- Faculty-led didactic lectures and conferences.
- Resident-led, weekly PM&R conferences, providing opportunities to present and defend ideas and gain skills as a teacher.
- Greater than 2:1 faculty-to-resident ratio.
- Experiential training with a Simulation Center and a surgical skills laboratory.
- Brain Injury
- Neuropsychology
- Robot-Assisted Gait Training
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Stroke
- Orthopedic
- Amputee Rehabilitation
- Cancer Rehabilitation
- Pediatrics Rehabilitation
- Consults
- Brain Injury
- Stroke
- Cancer Rehabilitation
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Amputee Rehabilitation
- Lymphedema
- Electrodiagnostic/EMG
- Musculoskeletal/Sports
- Spasticity
- ALS/MDA
- Pediatrics Rehabilitation
In addition to the many educational and career benefits of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation program, residents will receive financial benefits.
Learn moreApplication Criteria
If you would like to apply for our residency program, we only accept standard electronic applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Please submit your ERAS application to us. Please contact your school for specific information on the ERAS program.
Many times we receive inquiries from international medical grads as to whether we can accept IMGs. The answer is yes (and we will sponsor their visa). We sponsor J-1, F-1, H-1B, TN, EAC and Green Cards. All fees will need to be paid by the prospective employee. The only fee that Atrium Health pays is the $1,000 fee required by the INS for processing an H-1B visa. The person offered the position must have a current work authorization before they can start.