News
Faculty Update – January 2026
Congratulations to the following faculty for their accomplishments…
UPMC Physician Resources highlights the Adult Spina Bifida Clinic in a new 11-part series
The UPMC Adult Spina Bifida Clinic: A Multidisciplinary, Longitudinal Model for Optimal Patient Care, Support, and Advocacy
Mitch Bell is highlighted in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette for his custom solutions at UPMC Assist+
Helping restore autonomy to many, the assistive technology center allows patients to try devices and learn what exists.
Dr. Brad Dicianno to be honored at AAP Annual Meeting – "Physiatry ’26"
Dr. Dicianno has been selected to receive the AAP Outstanding Service Award for his dedication to the RREMS program and volunteer service to the AAP. This award recognizes exceptional efforts by an AAP member…
Congratulations to Dr. Rory A. Cooper for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the US Forces in Business Awards
On December 3, 2025, the latest edition of the US Forces in Business Awards took place at the Capital Hilton’s Presidential Ballroom, Washington DC, gathering US business and military leaders to recognize and celebrate the exceptional talents and achievements of the Military Community across 16…
Pitt and UPMC Study – led by senior author Dr. Amery Treble-Barna – finds Signature of Pediatric Brain Injury
Published today in the Journal of Neurotrauma, this study is first to identify a signature of potentially reversible chemical modifications of DNA, called epigenetic modifications, that may serve as dynamic indicators of post-injury recovery and guide future precision rehabilitation strategies.
Dr. Arielle Hall wins the poster award at the Regen Rehab '25 conference
Arielle Hall, DO (PGY-2) garnered significant attention at the Regen Rehab '25 conference, winning the poster award by a substantial margin with a near-perfect score. Her presentation on the impact of combined oral contraceptives on skeletal muscle health sparked engaging…
Interdisciplinary Pitt team – lead Dr. Gwendolyn Sowa – awarded $20M grant to continue low back pain research
The study, “Whole person experience of pain: Novel integration with low back pain phenotypes,” builds upon the team’s previous research, the LB3P Center, funded from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative.
HERL won an ARPA-H grant to improve independence for people with disabilities
Dr. Rory Cooper and Dr. Jorge Candiotti are leading the $41.5 million project and using next-generation assistive tech to develop a wheelchair and robotic arm that can help more folks fully participate in everyday life.
Dr. Amy Houtrow featured on WESA "People with disabilities in Pennsylvania still face major barriers to basic health care"
A recent report finds that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Pennsylvania continue to encounter significant barriers to basic health care — from inaccessible facilities and poorly trained providers to low Medicaid reimbursement rates that make it financially…
Date announced for "Just Ice It" 2026!
Mark your calendars! The UPMC Just Ice It sled hockey fundraiser for the Mighty Penguins returns on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township.
Dr. Gwendolyn Sowa honored at the Arthritis Foundation's Annual Bone Bash Gala
On Friday, October 10, the Arthritis Foundation hosted its Annual Bone Bash Gala, a cornerstone event for raising awareness and funds to combat arthritis. Dr. Gwendolyn Sowa was presented with the Medical Honoree Award…
Dr. Jen Collinger and Dr. Robert Gaunt featured on Good Morning America "Groundbreaking prosthetics that can feel touch"
In our series "Augmented Humanity," we explore innovative technology giving new hope to people who have lost movement or sensation and are now regaining both through the power of their brains.
Date announced for next year's UPMC Rehabilitation Institute Research Day
The 22nd annual Rehabilitation Institute Research Day will be held on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026. The event is co-sponsored by the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation School of Medicine, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute.
Two HERL (Human Engineering Research Laboratories) students receive the 2025 Most Innovative Award at the VAPHS Annual Best Practice Conference
Jeffrey Pettigrew, 4th year medical student at Pitt, and Owen Flaugh, doctoral student in Bioengineering at Pitt, received the 2025 Most Innovative Award at the VAPHS 18th Annual Best Practice Conference for their presentation: “Evaluation of the Active Permeable Pressure Relieving Dynamic…