I am an associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Pennsylvania and Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia. In my sports medicine subspecialty, I provide non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. I am the medical director of the Penn Running and Endurance Sports Program, as well as a team physician for a local high school, Penn Athletics, and a major league soccer team, Philadelphia Union.
From my internship in Tucson, Arizona, to a residency at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and a fellowship at Stanford University in California, this journey has been quite the adventure! I love my home state of Wisconsin, but I also enjoy the history, culture, and outstanding food in Philly.
My father, himself a physiatrist, inspired me to consider PM&R and discover what makes the specialty a gem: a physiatrist can improve a patient’s well-being when focused on achieving functional, occupational, or fitness goals. For example, one of my patients lost more than 100 pounds by taking up running but then suffered a discouraging injury. By guiding this patient through his crisis and safely across the finish line of an important race, he continues to be well, and in gratitude, he sends me pictures of every race he finishes. Stories like his bring me joy.
I have been involved in the American Medical Association since medical school, and I currently serve as vice-chair of the Pennsylvania Medical Society Delegation. I am excited by the positive changes we can make to our health care system when the entire system works together, but also when people are educated on the challenges we still face.
When giving advice to medical students, I encourage them to keep a record of their favorite patients throughout their rotations, and then choose the field in which they are most likely to meet more patients like them. No matter each person’s ability level, to help another human end up happier in the long run is very gratifying.
Optimizing Function
Kris (Michalski) Spiewak, MD ’96
Kris (Michalski) Spiewak
At my workplace — Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, a part of Allina Health in the Twin Cities of Minnesota (Minneapolis and Saint Paul) — physicians provide a full continuum of rehabilitation services, from the intensive care unit through community living and adaptive sports. My clinical practice is primarily inpatient and outpatient neurorehabilitation, but much of my job is administrative as the medical director of Courage Kenny.
In physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), I have had the opportunity to focus on optimizing people’s function following neurological injuries such as strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Early in my career, I met a young woman who had just suffered a large stroke while attending college away from home. Over the years, while she engaged in a career and family life, I worked with her to control spasticity, pain, and musculoskeletal injuries caused by hemiparesis. She recently started adaptive rowing for fitness, and last summer she competed in a national regatta, becoming a successful para-athlete in her 40s.
I had never heard of PM&R until my third year of medical school. I discovered I could use my interest in athletics and human performance far beyond traditional sports medicine. I liked neurology and found the practical nature of PM&R rewarding. It made sense to me to harness mind, body, and spirit to work with patients toward their functional goals. At the same time, I found neurophysiology and neuromodulation fascinating. I completed my physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at the University of Minnesota.
I am a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association. I participate in advocacy efforts to provide access to quality health care for people with disabilities at local, state, and national levels.
In my opinion, PM&R is one of the best kept secrets in medicine. The focus on addressing pathology through the lens of optimizing function to elevate quality of life is incredibly rewarding.
Leveraging Electrodiagnostics
Michael Sookochoff, MD ’16
Michael Sookochoff
As a clinician-educator, I practice in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery’s Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, where I completed a residency and fellowship.
Clinically, I focus on the non-operative evaluation and management of acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions in patients of all ages. This includes a wide array of sports-related injuries and spine disorders. I regularly perform fluoroscopic- and ultrasound-guided procedures, electrodiagnostic studies, and diagnostic musculoskeletal and neuromuscular ultrasound.
One memorable case involved a patient who was referred for electrodiagnostic evaluation after developing delayed-onset neuropathic symptoms following repair of a distal humeral fracture. Using electromyography/nerve conduction studies and diagnostic ultrasound, we identified iatrogenic ulnar neuropathy with dynamic subluxation of the nerve over the epicondylar plate during elbow flexion and extension. This allowed for a surgical intervention by one of my colleagues. It was a powerful example of how electrodiagnostic studies and diagnostic ultrasound can uncover complex pathologies and how interdisciplinary collaboration can significantly improve patient outcomes.
My introduction to PM&R during medical school was mostly through consultations and interactions with other services, but it left a lasting impression. I was drawn to the field due to its emphasis on physical function and how different body systems work together to maintain and restore function. PM&R sits at the intersection of orthopedics, neurology, kinesiology, and pain management. I feel fortunate to have a dynamic, varied, and fulfilling practice.
I am involved in several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, International Pain and Spine Intervention Society, and American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine.
PM&R is an exceptionally rewarding specialty. It offers a wide spectrum of subspecialty paths, from interventional spine care and musculoskeletal medicine to sports medicine to neurorehabilitation of stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and neuromuscular disorders. This is a great field for those who are passionate about holistic, impactful patient care.
Class Notes
Class of 2014
Amanda Polsinelli joined the core faculty of Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, Virginia. Initially charged with helping start its Emergency Medicine Program, she became the director of that program in 2024. Polsinelli has a son in college and a daughter in middle school.
Class of 2012
Megan L. Schultz, associate professor of pediatrics (emergency medicine) at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), received the 2025 Dr. Bruce and Kathi Campbell Fund Award in recognition of her commitment to advancing narrative medicine at MCW. The award is administered by the Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities. Schultz has demonstrated a strong commitment to narrative medicine throughout her career, publishing essays in the academic medical literature and locally in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Class of 2009
John Charles O’Horo was named division chair for Mayo Clinic–Rochester’s Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases, and Occupational Medicine in February 2025. His research relates to leveraging information technology tools to improve the bedside care of patients, particularly those with infections and critical illnesses.
Class of 2007
Fred Boehm is in his first year on the faculty of South Dakota State University. As an assistant professor in the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics, he teaches upper-level statistics courses. In spring 2025, he taught a statistics course for non-math majors who conduct research and need to analyze data themselves. His fall semester bioinformatics class is geared toward students focusing on molecular biology and genomics research.
Anne Marsh received a Lifetime Award from Alaafia, an organization founded by a collective of African immigrant women in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The organization aims to ensure that every African immigrant with sickle cell disease — as well as immigrant women who have been impacted by sexual assault and domestic violence — have access to resources, support, and empowerment tools in their communities. The award recognizes Marsh’s dedication and unwavering commitment to sickle cell health care, research, and advocacy. She is an associate professor in the Division of Hematology, Oncology, Transplant, and Cellular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Classes of 2005, 2004, 1989
Meredith Cruz (MD ’05), Ross Alan Lange (MD ’89), and Kathleen Powell Mattioli (MD ’04) participated in a medical mission with the Philippine Medical Association/Rizal MacArthur Memorial Foundation. The five-day mission took place in Sara, Philippines. Cruz, Powell Mattioli, Lange, and others on the team performed major surgeries on more than 1,300 patients. They also taught local medical staff about preventive care, surgical best practices, and strategies for delivering high-quality care in resource-limited settings.
Class of 2001
Christopher Eberlein was honored by the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation with its Superhero of Medicine Award in April 2025 in Madison. The award is presented annually to recognize physicians who go above and beyond the call of duty to improve the health of their community. An emergency medicine physician at Emplify Health by Gundersen in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Eberlein leads initiatives to promote harm reduction and increase treatment options for addiction. He serves on the Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services Board and co-founded Alliance to Heal with the mission to defeat the opioid epidemic in the La Crosse community. The Superhero of Medicine Award includes a donation to the recipient’s non-profit organization of their choice.
Class of 1995
John McCarley was installed as the 171st president of the Tennessee Medical Association at the organization’s annual meeting in May 2025. He is a nephrologist in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has gained extensive leadership experience in organized medicine.
Zelda Okia released a new book, Intermittent Fasting for Busy Professional Women, which is available on Amazon. Okia is an associate medical examiner in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.
Class of 1981
Marc Williams participated as a trombonist in the World Doctors Orchestra (WDO) in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2024. He also authored a piece about the WDO in the April 2025 issue of the International Trombone Association Journal. The WDO has a dual mission that combines the joy of performing great music with global medical responsibility. More than 2,000 doctors from 60 countries cover their own travel expenses and donate toward the session expenses to maximize the charitable contribution. To date, the WDO has raised nearly 2 million euros in donations for medical charities.
Class of 1965
Norman Jensen received the Wisconsin Medical Society’s prestigious Physician Citizen of the Year Award in April 2025. The award comes in recognition of Jensen’s dedication as a clinician and educator and his career-long commitment to medical students, overlooked citizens, and marginalized communities. He is an emeritus professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
