Category: 2023

On June 6, 2023, during the annual Justus F. Lehmann Day Symposium, the UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine presented the Inaugural Mentoring Awards. Mentorship of students and trainees is at the heart of any academic institution. These awards are designed to honor the mentors who dedicate countless hours and endless energy in teaching, guiding, advising, and paving the way for students and trainees.

Each of our three mentoring awards, which will be awarded annually, has been named after a faculty member who exemplifies the heart and soul of mentoring.

Kathryn M Yorkston, PhD, Award for Excellence in Student/Trainee Mentorship

The first award was the Kathryn M Yorkston, PhD, Award for Excellence in Student/Trainee Mentorship. This award is named in honor of Dr. Yorkston in recognition of her deep, sustained, and productive commitment to mentoring throughout her career.

We were privileged to have Kathryn Yorkston, PhD, Professor Emeritus, at the event. She was invited to speak on a panel, and did not know that a mentoring award would be named in her honor.

Dr. Yorkston was introduced by Carolyn Baylor, PhD, who spoke about Dr. Yorkston’s contributions to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, her mentees, and the field of speech-language pathology.

Next, the recipient of the Kathryn M Yorkston, PhD, Award for Excellence in Student/Trainee Mentorship was announced: Carolyn Baylor, PhD! Dr. Baylor did not know that she was to receive this award. Dr. Baylor, Associate Professor,  is Co-Director of the PhD in Rehabilitation Science Program, and has made a tremendous difference to the lives of the many students who benefit from her mentorship.

One mentee captured it best by saying, “A true mentor continues to inspire their students long after their time together has ended, and Carolyn is that person for me.”

Congratulations, Dr. Baylor!

Joseph M Czerniecki, MD Award for Excellence in Clinician-Scientist Mentorship

The next award of the day was the Joseph M Czerniecki, MD Award for Excellence in Clinician-Scientist Mentorship. Dr. Czerniecki  played a vital role in helping numerous clinician-scientists overcome myriad challenges and achieve success as clinician-scientists. He was known for his substantial longitudinal time commitment and selfless dedication to his mentees. He embodies the interprofessional mission of rehabilitation, demonstrating efforts to mentor across disciplines for the benefit of students, the department, and the field of rehabilitation.

Dr. Czerniecki, Professor Emeritus, was unable to attend the event in person, but he spoke to the crowd through a Zoom feed.

David Morgenroth, MD, introduced Dr. Czerniecki, and his extensive contributions as a physician, a scientist, and as a mentor.

Next, Dr. Morgenroth introduced the recipient of the 2023 Joseph M Czerniecki, MD Award for Excellence in Clinician-Scientist Mentorship: Brian Hafner, PhD.

Dr. Hafner is a professor in the Division of Prosthetics & Orthotics. He has made a tremendous difference in the lives of his mentees, and has helped to raise the bar for science and research in our department. He never misses a chance to provide guidance to junior faculty and graduate students who are at the start of their professional careers. His mentees have noted that he is the epitome of what a mentor should be. Whether it’s guiding them about  research methods, or troubleshooting recruitment issues, or showing them how to manage multi-year budgets, or creating project management timelines, or providing valuable feedback on manuscripts and grant proposals, Brian selflessly mentors several people at once.

Congratulations, Dr. Hafner!

Teresa L Massagli, MD Award for Excellence in Clinician-Educator Mentorship

The third mentoring award was the Teresa L Massagli, MD Award for Excellence in Clinician-Educator Mentorship. Dr. Massagli expertly led our residency training program for many years. Former residents recall her sage advice and thoughtful guidance during this critical stage of professional development. She also mentored numerous physiatrists in our department, and always made time to support and promote junior faculty.

Dr. Massagli, Professor Emeritus, could not attend the event. Janna Friedly, MD, spoke about Dr. Massagli’s mentorship to generations of trainees.

The recipient of the 2023 Teresa L Massagli, MD Award for Excellence in Clinician-Educator Mentorship is Ny-Ying Lam, MD.

Dr. Lam established our department’s first peer-to-peer mentoring group after recognizing a need for peer and near-peer mentorship and support, particularly among early career faculty in clinical faculty tracks. As an assistant professor, she has already established herself as a champion of other faculty and a community builder.

Dr. Lam’s award was presented privately, earlier in the day, because she was on duty at UW Medical Center during the official award ceremony. This is just a small example of Dr. Lam’s commitment to her patients, and to her trainees and mentees.

Congratulations, Dr. Lam!

Thank you

Thank you to everyone who made these awards possible, including the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Mentoring Committee, and to all of our faculty who work tirelessly to mentor our students, trainees, and fellow faculty.

 

 

 

On June 6, 2023, the UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine held the 37^th Annual Justus F. Lehmann Symposium at the beautiful Center for Urban Horticulture.

 

 

The event was opened by Mary Beth Brown, PT, PhD, on behalf of the event organizing committee. Peter Esselman, MD, MPT, then spoke about the history of Justus F. Lehmann, MD, the founding chair of the UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Event Keynote and Invited Speakers

Our keynote speaker, Anna Kratz, PhD, presented on: “On the Shoulders of Giants: Reflections on Mentorship and Innovation from a Decade of MS Research.”

Aaron Turner, PhD, ABPP (RP), oresented on: “Taking the Long View of MS Care: Partnering with Patients to Promote Health and Wellness.”

Patricia Matsuda, PT, PhD, DPT, presented on: “Participation and Falls in People with MS: Why it is Important.”

Sarah Simmons, MD, PhD, presented on:  “Exercise in MS: Who, What, Where, When, and Why?”

Lightening Talks

The Lightening Talks were short, 5-minute presentations on research

Linna Jingyu Jin, MScA, PhC, CCC-SLP, SLP(C), spoke on, “Underrepresented Voices: Experiences of Asian American Speech-Language Pathologists in Graduate Training and Clinical Practice.”

Jennifer Brodsky, PT, DPT, PhC, “Understanding Vestibular Function in Parkinson Disease.”

Siddhi Shrivastav, PT, MS, PhC, “Spinal Neuromodulation and Gait Training in Children with Cerebral Palsy.”

Alicia Seeds, MD, PM&R Resident, presented on, “The Impact of Gun Violence: Understanding Surgical Intervention for Spinal Cord Injury from Gunshot Wounds.”

Claire E. Child, DPT, MPH, presented on, ““Remote Exercise Risks and Risk Mitigation in Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM): A Delphi Study.”

Melody (Bishan) Yang, MS, PhC, presented on, ““Environmental Impact on Community Participation Experienced by People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Community-Engaged Mixed Methods Study Protocol.”

Making connections

In addition to the informative presentations, Lehmann Day 2023 offered attendees an opportunity to connect.

 

Photo credit: Sam Van Ginhoven