News
Recognizing achievments from our Faculty – September 2026
Congratulations to the following faculty for their recent accomplishments
PM&R department and friends lend a hand to the Freeman Family Farm & Greenhouse
Faculty, residents and staff volunteered on Pittsburgh's North Side as part of a community engagement and wellness initiative organized by the Department's Wellness Committee.
Congratulations to Dr. Paige Matijasich for being selected as the recipient of the 2026 Changing Clinical Practice Award
The Changing Clinical Practice Award recognizes a student, fellow, or resident within the Schools of the Health Sciences who demonstrates a clear commitment to healthcare sustainability through advancing sustainability in the clinical setting.
Decade-plus study on safety of surgically implanted brain-computer interfaces highlights the research of Dr. Robert Gaunt
Brain implants that can restore a sense of touch to people with paralysis remained safe through years of use and millions of electrical pulses to the brain, according to a long-running study by University of Pittsburgh and University of Chicago researchers.
UPMC Rehabilitation Institute celebrates first anniversary of Empowered Esports
The monthly adaptive video gaming event features special controllers customized for people with disabilities
Congratulations to Dr. Lydia Smeltz for receiving the Governor’s Keystone Award
The Keystone Awards honor Pennsylvanians who have made a lasting difference in their communities.
Dr. Elvira Pirondini leads new study on deep brain stimulation (DBS)
New study on deep brain stimulation and how it may help improve speech and swallowing problems caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI) is published in Nature Communications. (photo: Tim Betler, UPMC)
HERL and Team Foster Team Up For 24-Hour Ruff Ride on October 3 to Help Save Veteran Lives
Now celebrating its sixth year, Ruff Ride Pittsburgh has become one of the region's most inspiring endurance fundraising events.
Congratulations to Dr. Brad Dicianno for being honored as the Distinguished Physician Advocate Awardee for the 2nd Annual Access & Impact Awards
Dr. Brad Dicianno was among the recipients of the UPMC Disabilities Resource Center's 2nd annual Access & Impact awards. Coinciding with the 36th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the event was a celebration of UPMC's commitment to providing all patients with quality…
Congratulations to Dr. Aileen Chou as selected scholar for the ACT4Rehab K12 training grant
The ACT4Rehab (Advancing Clinical Translational science for Rehabilitation ) K12 Research Career Development Program addresses the need for more efficient and impactful research informing clinical rehabilitation practices so that patients can benefit from receiving the most effective methods of…
Recognizing achievments from our Faculty – July 2026
Congratulations to the following faculty for their recent accomplishments
Dr. Jonathan Duvall featured by the VA for his work at HERL on adaptive sports
The Power of Play: Free adaptive designs enhance sports for disabled Veterans (photo: Nat Kallet/VA Research Currents)
Monica Albert Still selected among members of new Governor’s advisory commission on people with disabilities
Gov. Josh Shapiro earlier this month announced the creation of a new disability commission tasked with understanding accessibility issues across the state, giving perspectives on living with a disability and recommending policy changes to legislators. (photo: Benjamin B. Braun/Post-Gazette)
Dr. Rory Cooper profiled at the 2026 Warrior Games
From Recovery to Innovation: Dr. Rory Cooper’s Army Journey Reflects ARCP Mission. (photo: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody A. Fodale)