Medical Students

Overview

The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is dedicated to training medical students. Whether you're exploring PM&R for the first time or preparing for a future in this dynamic field, our program offers valuable learning experiences to expand your clinical skills and understanding of rehabilitation medicine. From hands-on training to engaging mentorship, we are committed to guiding medical students toward excellence in patient-centered, function-focused care. Discover opportunities for clinical electives and experiences, research, enrichment courses, and other activities that make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.

CLINICAL ELECTIVES 

The Department offers clinical electives to medical students from Pitt and other U.S. allopathic and osteopathic schools.

• Rehabilitation Medicine (PMDREH 5450) (Director, Dr. Brad Dicianno) - This four-week elective provides the medical student with a general overview of the breadth of PM&R and the evaluation and management of rehabilitation patients. It is appropriate for medical students interested in any specialty. 
• Acting Internship (PMDREH 5410) (Director, Dr. Brad Dicianno) - This is a four-week elective for medical students intending to apply to a PM&R residency. The student spends the entire rotation on one inpatient rehabilitation unit and must pass the PMDREH 5450 course (or an equivalent course) as a pre-requisite to enroll in this course. This course counts as an official Acting Internship requirement for the Univ. of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. 
• Pediatric PM&R (PMDREH 5460) (Director, Dr. Angela Garcia) - This is a four-week elective for medical students interested specifically in the evaluation and management of pediatric rehabilitation patients. 
• Disabilities Clerkship (PMDREH 5465) (Director, Dr. Joseph Shivers) - This is a four-week elective for medical students interested in evaluation and management of patients with disabilities. Some experiences are within PM&R, and some are in other specialties. Community-based experiences are also integrated into the curriculum. 
• Individualized Clinical Course (PMDREH 5650) (Director, Dr. Brad Dicianno) - This four-week elective is intended for those interested in a career in PM&R but, due to scheduling restraints, are not able to take the PMDREH 5450 elective followed by the PMDREH 5410 elective. This course should not be taken by those interested in a general PM&R elective (i.e., those students should apply for 5450). 
• Jeannette E. South‐Paul, MD Visiting Clerkship - This program is designed to expand opportunities for visiting underrepresented minority medical students interested in various specialties including PM&R.  

CLINICAL EXPERIENCES 

Medical Student Summer Clinical Externship (MSSCE) – This eight week, nationally competitive, funded, summer externship is designed for those who want an in-depth exposure to the field of PM&R and is typically carried out in the summer between the first and second year of medical school. Dr. Brad Dicianno is the local faculty contact for this program. 

PROFESSIONAL ENRICHMENT COURSES

Professional Enrichment Courses are held during flex weeks and available only to first- and second-year Pitt medical students. A list of all flex week activities can be found here. The two PECs available in PM&R are: 

• Rehabilitation Concepts in Muscle, Joint, Brain, & Nerve Physiology (Director, Dr. Brad Dicianno): This 5-session course introduces students to rehabilitation concepts in the physiology of muscle, joints, brain and nerves. The goal of this program is to explore the relationship among anatomy, physiology, and human motion. This course highlights ways rehabilitative efforts and technology can be used to diagnose and treat disorders of the neuromuscular system.  
• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Minded for Disability (JEDI) Course (Director, Dr. Max Hurwitz): JEDI was developed with input from key stakeholders in the disability community to address gaps in disability medical education is not focused on specific diseases or treatments, but rather on the disability experience and how clinicians can serve people with disabilities in an affirming, anti-ableist way. The course is divided into 5 classes and includes the following topics: health policy; structural, institutional, legal, medical, social, and employment barriers; models of disability; personal identity; inclusion; social injustice; advocacy, equity vs. equality; and healthcare disparities.

RESEARCH

 

• The PM&R Research Elective (PMDREH 5810) (Director, Dr. Lee Fisher) is a 4-week elective offered to medical students interested in gaining experience in rehabilitation research. A mentor and project must be identified in advance before registration will be permitted. 
• Dean’s Summer Research Project (DSRP) (PM&R faculty contact, Dr. Brad Dicianno) is an 8-week funded research program open to Pitt medical students between their first and second years.  
• Longitudinal Research Project (LRP) (PM&R faculty contact, Dr. Brad Dicianno) is a longitudinal research program required for all Pitt medical student that spans 2nd to 4th year of medical school.  
• The Rehabilitation Research Experience for Medical Students (RREMS) (Director, Dr. Brad Dicianno) – This eight week, nationally competitive, funded summer externship is designed for those who want an in-depth exposure to rehabilitation research and is typically carried out in the summer between the first and second year of medical school. 
• Rehabilitation Medicine Scientist Training Program (RMSTP) (PM&R faculty contact, Dr. Mike Boninger) is an advanced program for PM&R residents, clinical fellows or early career faculty members interested in a research career. The ultimate aim of the RMSTP is to increase the number of rigorously trained, extramurally competitive and scientifically productive faculty in PM&R.  
• Pitt Med Research Experience for Prematriculants (PREP) is an 8-week experience for medical students admitted to Pitt that provides an accelerated research experience prior to matriculating into medical school.  

ACTIVITIES

 

• The Disabilities Medicine Stream prepares interested Pitt medical students for healthcare careers serving children and adults with disabilities. Disabilities Medicine encompasses the body of knowledge about disabilities at multiple levels of analysis: the biological basis of disability; recommended clinical practices; functional impacts of disability and its treatment; environmental, social, and community determinant of outcomes; and public health. This Stream promotes the development of skills in person– and family-centered practice, collaborative decision-making, functional assessments, cultural competence, and chronic care delivery. Participants learn about community resources and policies that interact with healthcare to improve clinical and functional outcomes for people with disabilities. Students who participate in the Stream support the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of community life. Dr. Angela Garcia is the Stream Director. 
• The PM&R Interest Group is a Pitt medical student run group that allows students interested in the field of physiatry to learn more about the field, network with faculty and residents, and attend workshops and social events. The PM&R faculty advisor of this group is Dr. Brad Dicianno. 
• The Medical Students Disability Representation and Advocacy (MSDRA) group was started in 2021. The goal of the organization is to support and advocate for Pitt medical students with disabilities and promote future medical practitioners' education regarding the needs and interests of patients and other persons with disabilities. The group has representation on student curriculum committees and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Affinity Group task force. Dr. Brad Dicianno is the PM&R faculty advisor for the group. 
• Professional Organization Memberships: Both the AAPM&R and AAP offer membership levels for medical students, as well as opportunities for networking, learning, and career planning. 
• Street Medicine at Pitt is a student-run organization that strives to bring healthcare and social support to the rough-sleeping and unhoused community in Pittsburgh, PA. Street Medicine at Pitt offers interdisciplinary experiential learning in collaboration with the schools of Public Health, Medicine, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS), Nursing, Dental, Pharmacy, and Social Work. Any Pitt student or faculty with an interest in joining us for Street Medicine rounds, joining for lectures or book club, or volunteering for one of the many other opportunities, can email us from the link on the website. All students and faculty must complete an orientation prior to going out on rounds. See Street Medicine at Pitt and Outside influences | Pitt Med Magazine | University of Pittsburgh for more details. Dr. Max Hurwitz is the PM&R faculty contact for this program.