This #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth, letโs include people with #LongCOVID. Cognitive dysfunction, headaches, and fatigue are real, and research and treatments are needed.
Itโs not a coincidence to me that #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth and #LongCOVID awareness happen together. The cognitive symptoms my patients describe overlap in real, meaningful waysโฆ and deserve the same validation, research, and treatments. ๐ง
Honored to keynote LMSA Southwest Regional Conference.
First-gen. No roadmap. No representation.
I shared how my grandfatherโs stroke - and his lack of rehab care - shaped my fight for health equity.
Merit isnโt a strategy.
You canโt be what you canโt see.
The future of medicine is bright.
New paper out: โDisparities in Spasticity Access and Careโ in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinics of North America.
Link: authors.elsevier.com/a/1mdZ%7E3kH...
We outline structural barriers, referral gaps, and workforce challenges, and why rehab must lead in closing them.
Now Live - Spasticity Without the Plateau: Science, Access, and the Path Forward
๐๏ธ ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐ป๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๏ธ
youtu.be/8T_wEm5ekVU?...
I worry I scarred my kids by dragging them to the hospital for work urgencies.
Nicolas said it wasnโt often.
Lina said she loved it. Staff was kind, she got to read her book, & they told her how smart she was. โIt was the best for an 8-year-old girl.โ
Didnโt scar them with this at least ๐
My warmup for a great time at #Physiatry26
Me to my son: โDo you use the Oxford comma?โ
Son: โI am not a barbarian, of course I do.โ
Husband (barbarian) rolls eyes.
New free resource for physicians!
Post-stroke spasticity is frequently missed but early identification makes all the difference. AAPM&Rโs new microlearning series helps physicians who donโtโฏtreat spasticity learn more on the topic!
Start learning today: ow.ly/K0fz50Y9lmc
If you recognized Ricky Martin at the halftime show, itโs time for your mammogram
The real MVPs
This is a flyer for the Rest & ME/CFS research study, IRB number 26-6. It says "participate in a survey about rest, energy, and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". In the upper right corner it says โQuestions? Email Study Co-PI Victoria: empwrtc@protonmail.comโ. Below the header is interwoven circles, one is black with text that says Fully Virtual, low- energy version included. The circle behind is an image of white silk wrinkled. Next to it text says โTo participate you must be: Over the age of 18 AND EITHER Have ME/CFS worked with at research (self or professionally diagnosed) or be A medical/healthcare provider who has least one person with ME/CFS, currently practicing or conducting researchโ. Below this it says learn more at www.restandmecfs.com There are two icons on the bottom left corner. One says ETC and above it are six icon-stick figure people holding hands in a circle. Next to it is Cal Poly Pomona's logo, a diamond with an orangey yellow background and palm trees and a building inside. The Cal Poly Pomona Institutional Review Board has reviewed and approved for conduct this research involving human subjects under protocol IRB 26-6.
PLRC member Dr. Copeland has launched a research study on rest, energy, & #MECFS โ open to people with ME/CFS & healthcare providers who are currently practicing or conducting research & have had at least 1 patient or participant with ME/CFS.
More info: restandmecfs.com
And the Grammy goes toโฆ the 5th edition of Fronteraโs Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation ๐ญ๐ฆฟโฟ๏ธ๐๐ค
Excited to finally see this book in print. Thank you to all the contributors and for all you are giving to our field!
#PMR #Physiatry #MedEd
7/ ๐ Learn More: www.mdpi.com/3697662
Dive into the full study for detailed insights into gender disparities in PSS treatment with OnabotA.
Letโs work together to improve outcomes for all patients! #MedicalEducation #StrokeRecovery
6/ ๐ฌ Key Finding 5: More research is needed to explore gender-specific factors in PSS treatment outcomes. Tailored approaches could improve equity & optimize results for both male & female patients. #HealthEquity #StrokeAwareness #SpasticityTreatment
5/ โ ๏ธ Key Finding 4: Females experienced more treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) (75.9% vs. 63.5% in males) & serious TEAEs (29.6% vs. 16.5% in males). Only 1 serious TEAE was related to OnabotA, reported by a male patient. #PatientSafety #MedicalResearch
4/ ๐ก Key Finding 3: Male patients consistently showed better outcomes across all assessments, including pain reduction, spasticity severity, stroke recovery, & functional goal achievement. Females improved but at a slower rate. #StrokeOutcomes #Rehabilitation
3/ ๐ Key Finding 2: At baseline, females had higher BMI (28.3 vs. 26.9 kg/mยฒ) & were more likely to take analgesics (40.7% vs. 31.8%). Males were older (63.0 vs. 57.9 years) & had higher body weight (82.0 vs. 74.3 kg). #HealthDisparities #StrokeCare
2/ ๐ Key Finding 1: Female PSS patients received lower doses of OnabotA compared to males across most treatment sessions. Despite similar baseline spasticity levels, females showed lower improvements in pain, spasticity severity, stroke recovery, & functional goal achievement.
๐ง New Study Alert! We explored gender differences in post-stroke spasticity (PSS) treatment with OnabotulinumtoxinA (OnabotA). Key findings reveal disparities in dosage & outcomes between male and female patients. #StrokeRecovery #Spasticity #MedicalResearch ๐งต/
โWe have seen asthma, allergic rhinitis, hives/urticaria, environmental and food allergies, with the most common being asthma. But then there is also a good subset of patients developing mast cell activation symptoms,โ -me
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...
Function. Collaboration. Wholeโperson care.
PM&R continues to lead the future of recovery.
Sharing my 2026 Inโs & Outโs to spotlight where our specialty is going next. ๐
#Physiatry
Absolutely, many people do experience grief, especially early on. That grief deserves care and support.
The issue is when outsiders label disabled bodies as tragic rather than honoring peopleโs own lived experience and resilience.
The problem isnโt disability. Itโs the stigma around it. #RehabMed #DisabilityJustice
Thereโs nothing โheartbreakingโ about aging or disability. It is part of being human. Showing up anyway deserves respect. ๐
www.totalprosports.com/nba/fans-hea...
Timeline cleanse. Some of the Van Gogh paintings I saw today at the Barnes Foundationโฆ
New oneโฆ I was introduced by a patientโs mom as the Botox Artist and I feel seen! ๐๐จ๐๏ธ๐ฉ๐ฝโ๐จ
I start many of my talks on health disparities with this quote, and with a photo of my grandfather, who never had access to stroke rehab. This work will always be personal. #MLK
UT Health SA PM&R = 2026 Top Docs. Proud of this team! ๐ #TopDoctors2026 #PhySKYiatry
Had an incredible time at #Toxins2026 in Madrid! ๐ช๐ธ
I presented on optimizing treatment for postโstroke spasticity and shared several posters.
Always inspiring to connect with colleagues from around the world who are just as passionate about advancing neurotoxin science. ๐ง โจ
