We are excited to congratulate AAPM&R Member Stuart Glassman, MD, MBA, FAAPMR, as he begins his new role as Chair of the House of Delegates (HOD) Mobility Caucus! For years, your Academy has been actively involved in AMA HOD efforts through the PM&R delegation and the PM&R Section Council, and engagement on other relevant caucus (e.g., Mobility Caucus and Neuroscience Caucus). The PM&R Section Council serves to represent physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, advocating for policies that affect physiatrists, their practices and their patients.

Back in 2018, AAPM&R was one of the founding members of the Mobility Caucus (MC), a coalition of national medical specialty societies within the AMA HOD. The MC aims to promote Caucus interests and projects, including those relevant to PM&R, that relate to the care of patients with neurological, musculoskeletal, orthopedic and rehabilitation problems that affect function, well-being and quality of life. The MC also aims to increase the political voice, advocacy, and awareness of Caucus members, while increasing HOD awareness of disability issues through education. For example, during the 2023 Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates, the MC supported the AAPM&R resolution, Expediting Repairs for Power and Manual Wheelchairs, which was approved by the HOD to become official AMA policy. The resolution started an important discussion recognizing the critical importance of access to and insurance coverage of wheelchairs.

Dr. Glassman’s new role will increase his ability to influence public policy issues discussed at the AMA related to mobility and disabling conditions. PM&R’s ability to serve as a coalition builder within the AMA will influence AMA policy that will benefit AAPM&R members and their patients. We are excited to see Dr. Glassman as Chair and will continue to support AMA HOD efforts to build a better future for physiatrists and their patients.