UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine

10/07/2026

Curious about a career in prosthetics and orthotics? The University of Washington’s Master of Prosthetics and Orthotics program was recently featured on the CredCast podcast. Learn about how our small cohorts, interdisciplinary training, hands-on learning, clinical rotations and access to emerging technologies prepare students for careers in orthotics and prosthetics with Program Director Stefania Fatone, PhD, BPO.

Explore the University of Washington’s Master of Prosthetics and Orthotics program with Program Director Stefania Fatone, PhD, BPO.

10/03/2026

Katy Grainger went into septic shock after a cut on her thumb became infected. She survived, but a complication caused her to lose both legs below the knee and parts of seven fingers. While the illness occurred in Hawaii, she decided to return to Seattle, where she had friends and family, for surgeries and rehabilitation.

The first person Grainger and her husband spoke with at UW Medicine was Janna Friedly, MD, MPH, a physiatrist at Harborview and the chair of the UW School of Medicine’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Read more about Grainger’s story on Right as Rain:

But That Was Only the Start.

10/02/2026

As kids head back to school, it's important to keep an eye on how heavy their backpacks are. In this video, physical therapist Jenny Chang shares what parents and students should know about choosing and wearing a backpack safely:

News and information for journalists

10/01/2026

Registration is now open for the 2027 Sports & MSK Symposium.

Join us March 13-14 in Seattle for Spine Care in the Athlete: A Comprehensive Approach to Rehabilitation and Resilience.

Learn from keynote speaker Craig Liebenson, DC, and leading experts in multidisciplinary spine care.

Early bird pricing is available through Dec. 31, 2026.

Learn more and register: https://sites.uw.edu/sportsmsksymposium/

09/29/2026

School is back in session! Our new physical therapy, occupational therapy, prosthetics and orthotics, and rehabilitation science PhD students have come together for our new student orientation. Welcome, all!

09/25/2026

On Aug. 22, our Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2027 received their white coats, marking the start of their clinical training journey. Congratulations to all!

09/24/2026

Former rehabilitation psychology fellow Megan Weishaar, PhD, is featured by the American Psychological Association for her work supporting burn survivors. Dr. Weishaar completed her fellowship with us in 2025:

Rehabilitation psychologist collaborates with medical providers to improve mental and physical health outcomes.

09/24/2026

The GamePlan: Emergency Response in Equestrian Sports is now available.

Developed by The Sports Institute at UW Medicine in partnership with Seattle Fire Department Medic One and the US Eventing Association Foundation, this free 12-module video series provides practical training for responding to serious injuries in equestrian settings. Topics include emergency action planning, incident response, rescue techniques, and coordination with emergency medical services.

Watch the series: https://thesportsinstitute.com/our-work/emergency-response-in-equestrian-sports/

09/21/2026

For people with MS, maintaining a healthy body weight can help reduce the risk of secondary progression or worsening of disability--but MS symptoms such as fatigue and pain can make it difficult to exercise and cook healthy meals. This Catch-22 can be managed. Dr. Gloria Hou shares some tips in this Everyday Health article:

Learn how to maintain a healthy weight with multiple sclerosis, including tips on diet, exercise, and working with your doctor to manage MS-related challenges.

09/19/2026

“After time had gone by where I was able to walk one block, I was like, ‘Okay, next I'm going to walk two,’” Bobbi-jo Marlin says. “The trial with UW Medicine got me back on my feet again.”

Twenty-three years agon, a car hit Marlin, causing a traumatic brain injury. She was unable to walk. But, after enrolling in a research study with the UW TBI Model System, she slowly regained the ability to walk--thanks to medical research. Read her story at Right as Rain:

Bobbi-jo Marlin’s story