MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENTBy Kristjan T. Ragnarsson, MDThriving research is essential for the future of PM&R as a medical specialty. Our physiatric interventions must be based on firm scientific foundations, if this specialty is to last. PM&R research conducted in a rigorous, scientific fashion benefits primarily practicing physiatrists, but also our colleagues in the various rehabilitation related health care professions and, most important, our patients.

Research is expensive to conduct and will not be successfully undertaken without funding from internal and/or external sources. External research funding may come from private foundations, but the largest grants come from federal agencies, such as the National Institute

The Foundation for PM&R will be offering two additional new research grants this year: the Justus Lehmann Research Grant and the Acorda Neurologic Rehabilitation Research Grant. Each is offering one $10,000 award; application deadline is October 1.

The Ossur Prosthetic/Orthotic Research Grant for $10,000 will once again be offered in the fall grant cycle; the application deadline is also October 1.

The Justus Lehmann Research Grant is supported by contributions made in Dr. Lehmann’s memory after his death in 2009. The award is a grant for research on a topic related to biomechanics/biophysics in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation.Appropriate topics include (but are not limited to) the Biomechanics of gait, prosthetics and/or orthotics, and the Biophysics of modalities.

TWO NEW RESEARCH GRANTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE FALL GRANT CYCLE!

Additional contributions to the Lehmann Fund are still being solicited to continue the grant; at this point in time, we only have funds available to support it for five years.

The Acorda Neurologic Rehabilitation Research Grant is generously funded by an unrestricted gift from Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. However, the unbiased selection process is conducted by the Foundation for PM&R Awards and Grant Review Committee with no input from our corporate supporter. The award is for research on neurologic rehabilitation in the field of PM&R.

All three grants will be presented at the AAP Annual Meeting in spring 2013. Complete information and the application forms can be found at www.foundationforpmr.org. Questions can be directed to panderson@foundationforpmr.org, or 847-737-6062.

of Health (NIH), National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, etc. The competition for federal research funding is fierce and the great majority of research proposals are not funded. In addition, the NIH budget this year has been reduced when compared to last year’s budget and funding for PM&R research by other federal granting agencies has been relatively flat for many years. This discouraging development effectively means a reduced budget for PM&R research given the erosion of the dollar by the 2-3% annual inflation.

PM&R is fortunate to have a growing number of young physiatrists who are trained and committed to conduct research, but given the shrinking federal research budget they need

Continued on page 3

Dr. George Kevorkian, Foundation Treasurer, is supporting a new educational event: a “Proof of the Pudding” debate on a timely controversial issue in rehabilitation. The inaugural debate will take place at the Foundation’s annual Donor Appreciation Reception on Friday, November 16 in Atlanta.

The topic selected is: “Should Performance of Interventional Spine Procedures Be Part of the Core Training for PM&R Residency Training Programs.” Originally published as a Point/Counterpoint article in PM&R (Vol. 3, 73-77, January 2011, pp. 73-77) by Drs.

NEW! “PROOF OF THE PUDDING” DEBATE SESSIONSusan Garstang and Benoy Benny, they will also serve as the live debaters for this session. Dr. Kevorkian will moderate.

The Foundation for PM&R’s annual Donor Appreciation Reception is open to all contributors who have supported us in the last year. E-mail invitations will be sent out in September.

The Foundation for PM&R received 30 applications for five research grant awards in our spring grants cycle this year. The new Molnar Pediatric PM&R Research Grant received six applications, and the new Mid-Career Investigator Research Grant four.

Reviewers are reading and scoring the applications right now. Their recommendations will go to the Board of Directors for consideration when they meet in July. Notifications will be sent out by September 1. The awards will all be presented

APPLICATIONS INCREASE IN THIS YEAR’S SPRING GRANTS CYCLE

The Physiatric Research Resources Database (PRRD), a comprehensive web-based database available free of charge, provides information about and links to resources for successful physiatric research endeavors. The database can be accessed through the Foundation for PM&R’s website at www.foundationforpmr.org and contains the following information: Models of Successful Research Infrastructure Mentorship (for those searching for or serving as mentors) Research Training Opportunities Funding Opportunities Other Resources for Researchers

Search functions allow each section to be filtered to provide content pertinent to students, residents, or rehabilitation

PHYSIATRIC RESEARCH RESOURCES DATABASE UPDATED

researchers in their early-, mid- or late-career. It also includes suggestions on and links toinformation about how to: effectively compete for grants; write manuscripts and organize findings for dissemination through posters; review articles for journals; obtain help for ethical treatment of human subjects; understand biostatistical analysis and study design.

PRRD is a component of FP&MR’s Research Capacity Building Initiative, which addresses the need to advance patient care through expanded PM&R research capacity. For more information, please contact Phyllis J. Anderson, M.A., Foundation Executive Director, at 847-737-6062 or panderson@foundationforpmr.org.

at the AAPM&R Annual Assembly in Atlanta this November.

While it is great news that there are so many qualified researchers in physiatry, it also means we won’t be able to support them all. Two dozen worthwhile projects will go unfunded.

Every year, the Foundation increases the number of grants we give to meet this demand - but we need your help. Please contribute today!

support from other sources. This is where the Foundation for PM&R can be helpful by providing annually relatively small research grants to PM&R investigators, varying in amount from $10,000 to $30,000. It is encouraging that the Foundation receives each year a large number of excellent grant proposals, but it is unfortunate that the Foundation is only able to fund relatively few of these. We, physiatrists, who are passionate about the future of our fi eld, must do better in

supporting the Foundation. If the Foundation for PM&R is able to fund more of the excellent scientifi c applications, we need to ensure that every physiatrist will donate annually to the Foundation according to individual fi nancial capacity. The minimum suggested donation is $50, which should not be beyond the capacity of any physiatrist. Let show it in action that we can work together as a team of professionals interested in securing the future our own fi eld and helping the patients we serve.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT (cont. from page 1)

REHAB 5K IN ATLANTAPack your running shoes and join us in Atlanta at 7:00 AM on Saturday, November 17 for the 5th Annual Foundation for PM&R Rehab 5K Run/Walk & Roll. Take this oppor-tunity to socialize (and exercise!) with col-leagues while raising money for physiatric research. Sign up when you register for theAAPM&R Annual Assembly, or mail in the form on page 4.

Who will be our 2012 Rehabilitation Champion? The Foundation for PM&R Board of Directors now faces the diffi cult task of selecting the most compelling story from the many that were submitted.

The purpose of the award is to recognize an individual who has overcome the effects of disability through their own courage, determination, hard work, and with the help of a physiatrist. Our goal is to raise public awareness of the accomplishments of persons with disabilities, the contributions of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in taking “recovery” to “rehabilitation”, and the vital role that Physiatrists play during the rehabilitation

INSPIRING “REHABILITATION CHAMPION” STORIESprocess. The winner will be announced in the Autumn issue of the UPDATE newsletter, and the award will be presented at the AAPM&R Annual Assembly in Atlanta this November.

PHYSIATRY LOSES A LEADER

Please join us in celebrating the life and contributions of Herman J. Flax, MD (1917-2012), who passed away on April 26 after making a positive impact on the world for the past 95 years.

Dr. Flax was a graduate of the Medical College of Virginia (now Virginia Commonwealth University) School of Medicine in 1940. He received post-graduate PM&R training at the University of Pennsylvania and McMaster University at a time when PM&R wasn’t yet a recognized specialty. Dr. Flax went on to work in PM&R for 50 years, including nearly 40 years as Chief of Rehabilitation Medicine in San Juan, Puerto Rico. For the last 20 years, Dr. Flax worked as a consultant and an Emeritus Professor in the VCU department

of PM&R. During his half century of practice, he made signifi cant contributions to the fi eld, including serving as President of numerous medical societies, and he received more than 50 honors. He has more than 100 publications to his name, including “Life in Years”, which presents his life, values and a history of the fi eld of PM&R, and 3 books of poetry.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Melanie. He was a true pioneer who helped to lay the foundations for all of the work we do today.

REHAB 5K RUN, WALK & ROLLSaturday, November 17, 2012, 7:00 AM, Atlanta, GA**Exact location to be determined and announced

First Name Last Name

Address

City/State/Zip

Telephone Date of Birth Sex M F

E-mail

Check one: Wheelchair racer Runner Walker Amputee (One registrant per form)For the safety of our participants, no rollerblades, stroller or handcranks will be allowed. Please note that the race path is gravel.

Please enclose $25 registration fee.* Optional: I am also enclosing a donation to the Foundation for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the amount of $_______________

SPECIAL OFFER FOR RESIDENTS ONLY - $15 registration fee Check here if you are a Resident

My check is enclosed Please charge my ___ Visa ___ MasterCard ___ AmEx

Card number Exp. date Security code Waiver (must be signed):I hereby release the Foundation for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the City of Atlanta and all government and municipal agencies whose property and/or personnel are involved, and other co-sponsoring company(ies) or individual(s) from responsibility from any injuries or damages I may suffer as a result of my participation in the Rehab Run/Walk & Roll. I hereby certify that I am in good condition and am able to safely compete in this event. As a participating athlete I certify that all information provided in this form is true and complete. I have read the entry information provided for the event and certify my compliance by signature below.

Signature Date

Please return this form with payment to: Foundation for PM&R Rehab 5K Run/Walk & Roll, 9700 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 200, Rosemont, IL 60018. If using a credit card you may fax to (847) 737-6063.

Yes, I would like to support the Foundation for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation!

General Operating Fund: $100 $250 $500 $1,000 $2,500 Other $__________

Materson ERF Fund: $100 $250 $500 $1,000 $2,500 Other $__________

Nadler MSK Fund: $100 $250 $500 $1,000 $2,500 Other $__________

Justus Lehman Fund: $100 $250 $500 $1,000 $2,500 Other $__________

Molnar Pediatric Fund: $100 $250 $500 $1,000 $2,500 Other $__________

Donor name

Address

City/State/Zip

Telephone Fax E-mail

Please charge my: Visa MasterCard American Express Total Donation: $_____________

Card number Exp. date

Please fax this form to (847) 737-6063. Or mail to 9700 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 200, Rosemont, IL 60018. Thank you!