AAPM&R is the largest community of PM&R physicians and trainees. Our greatest privilege and responsibility is connecting with our members and helping drive actionable improvement for the individual practitioner and the specialty as a whole. As a physician-led organization, we rely on our volunteers and communities to drive impactful change. Membership means supporting this work while gaining access to the largest community of PM&R physicians to support your professional development and practice.

• 50 Member Communities are self-identified, organically established communities offering opportunities for members to connect, share experiences and advance the specialty together.
• Physiatrists-in-Training (PHiT) Council Board focuses on providing valuable feedback to help our strategic coordinating committees support member needs through every year of residency and fellowship.
• Celebrating Achievement Within PM&R:
  • 21 Innovators & Influencers Honorees went above and beyond to make a significant impact in PM&R.
  • Our Awards Program recognizes lifetime achievement, distinguished membership and public service, as well as pioneering physiatrists, clinicians and researchers who have made significant contributions to both the specialty and to people with disabilities. Learn more about the 2024 Award recipients.

AAPM&R is the leading organization advocating on behalf of PM&R physicians and their patients. We position PM&R physicians as essential leaders early and across the healthcare continuum, defend against threats to PM&R practices and provide members with a powerful voice and opportunities to advocate for the specialty.

• Top Advocacy Priorities for 2024:
  • Defending the role of physiatrists against encroachment from non-PM&R physicians and non-physicians.
  • Fighting against PM&R physician fee cuts and for improved PM&R physician payment.
  • Fighting to reduce physiatrist burden by removing prior authorization barriers.
• Key Wins: With the support of our dedicated volunteers, we achieved significant advocacy “wins” for our member physiatrists and the patients they serve.
• #PMRAdvocates in Action:  
  • 1,300+ letters sent to Congress by AAPM&R members.
  • 40+ AAPM&R comment letters sent to federal agencies including CMS and other stakeholders.
  • As a specialty, our greatest strength is our united voice. Join our efforts and make your voice heard by exploring active campaigns in the AAPM&R Action Center.
• Physician Wellness is a core focus area for the Academy, and we will continue to develop strategies, including advancing our work related to:
  • Advocacy to influence the root causes such as fee cuts, prior authorization, scope of practice issues and more.
  • Increasing the value of PM&R among key stakeholders.
  • Creating education focused on practice efficiencies.
  • Building community.

AAPM&R is committed to empowering physiatrists at every stage of their career. From medical students just starting out in physiatry, to mid-career physicians working in a thriving practice. Our goal is to ensure your career and practice is strong and positioned for success, we provide tools, resources and opportunities to support your professional growth.

• AAPM&R drives careers and connections through PM&R Aspire, our career exploration platform purpose-built to help PM&R professionals make better-informed career decisions. 
• New Resources to Support You: 
  • 2 value-based payment toolkits from the Innovative Payment and Practice Models Committee.
  • Stroke Rehabilitation and Spine Care Toolkits
• Positioning the Specialty in New Areas. AAPM&R actively positions the specialty in critical areas to build recognition among key stakeholders like primary care physicians and healthcare leaders.
  • 300+ media placements over three years, positioning PM&R physicians as essential leaders early and throughout the care continuum.

• Together, We’re Driving a Strong Future for PM&R:
  • 19 Academy members and members of industry participated in our first-ever Technology Summit focused on augmented intelligence, remote therapeutic monitoring for MSK conditions and rehabilitation at home.
  • 41 participants at our second Spasticity Summit focused on closing the gaps in patient care.
  • New partnership between AAPM&R and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to support the USOPC-NGB Medical Conference as a partner and provider of CME.

AAPM&R is dedicated to providing resources and support to help define physiatry’s value in medicine and lead physiatrists through the transitions occurring in the business of healthcare. Discover how the Academy’s latest quality and research (Q&R) initiatives are driving progress and learn about the volunteer leaders who are championing these efforts across the “House of Medicine.”

• AAPM&R Registry: Providing data to demonstrate your value and improve care.

AAPM&R delivers high-quality education tailored to the needs of across all clinical focuses, practice areas, career stages and levels of expertise. We provide relevant and cutting-edge learning opportunities to help you stay up to date in the ever-changing healthcare landscape and across a variety of delivery mechanisms.