Promotions: Dr. Mike Boninger is appointed to the special faculty rank of Distinguished Professor, an appointment that “constitutes the highest honor a University can accord a member of the professoriate.” This special category of distinguished professorship honors “extraordinary, internationally recognized scholarly attainment.” Dr. Wendy Helkowski is promoted to the rank of Professor and Dr. Corina Bondi is promoted to the rank of Associate Professor with Tenure.
Work anniversaries!
- 10 Years with UPMC – Dr. Christine Paul
- 15 Years with UPMC – Dr. Tad Gorske
- 25 Years with UPMC – Dr. John Horton
Dr. Corina Bondi is awarded a Childrens’ Neuroscience Institute Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Award entitled, “Neurobehavioral and Physiological Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats,” together with Safar Center colleague and co-PI, Dr. Mioara Manole
Drs. Melissa Sutcliffe and Sarah Laughlin are elected to the Board of Directors for the Pace School in Allegheny County—a school that provides an alternative learning environment for students with Autism, Behavior difficulties, and/or significant cognitive challenges
Dr. Melissa Sutcliffe presented at the American Academy of Neuropsychology (AACN) annual conference in June—“The Effects of Sedation on Cognition in Children: Current Perspectives and Controversies.”
Dr. Amy Houtrow is named to the Board of Scientific Counselors of the NIH Clinical Center (2023-2027).
Dr. Amy Wagner is awarded a Beckwith grant with Dr. Katya Hill (SHRS) for their proposal entitled, ” Unlocking Functional Communication for Patients with Disorders of Consciousness with Innovative Brain Computer Interface Technology.” The award will fund a new program at CAT to support using BCI for people with disorders of consciousness.
Drs. Brad Dicianno and Ryan Nussbaum received the inaugural Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation “Most Downloaded Review Article Award” for their paper, “Systematic Review of Mobile Health Applications in Rehabilitation.” This award recognizes the original research (review) paper published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation that has received the most downloads lifetime.
Dr. Elvira Pirondini’s R01 proposal entitled, “Deep brain stimulation of the motor thalamus to improve cortico-spinal control of muscles after stroke,” scored in the 2nd percentile.
The department volunteered and participated in for the Adaptive Cycling Event directed by Hope Network, Three Rivers Adaptive Sports, and Steelwheelers.
The Department’s SCI Fellowship program received 3 more years of funding from the Neilsen Foundation.
The “VA Center on Wheelchairs and Rehabilitation Engineering” renewed for another 5 years.
A number of PM&R residents represented the Department at the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting: Michelle Eventov and Ella D'Amico had podium case presentations; Roshawn Brown had a research poster; and Connor Fultz had a case poster.
