Get to Know Your 2020-2021 PHiT Board
A new year means new beginnings. It’s the perfect time to get to know your 2020-2021 Physiatrist-in-Training (PHiT) Council Board! Read on to learn a fun fact about each of your new board members, their PM&R interest and their plan for the upcoming board year.
Scott E. Klass, MD, MS, ATC
President
PGY4, University of Miami/Jackson Health System PM&R Program
Fun Fact: I love training my beagle, Tucker, and taught him how to play Three-Cup Monte, Hide-and-Scent, Army crawl and give high fives!
PM&R Interest: Sports Medicine
Goal: Looking forward to facilitating all PHiT Council members to find success in their role and make great connections with all Academy members.
Heidi Chen, MD
Vice President and Diversity and Inclusion Committee
PGY3, New York Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia and Cornell) PM&R Program
Fun Fact: I was once in a documentary about a nonprofit in Cameroon, but they completely gave me a new name. 😂
PM&R Interest: Sports and Spine
Goal: Looking forward to increasing visibility and knowledge of our field, as well as supporting all of you and your ideas!
Eric M. Stockwell, MD
Secretary
PGY3, Louisiana State University PM&R Program
Fun Fact: Rocky Mountain Polar Bear Plunge Champion (12-year-old age group)
PM&R Interest: Pain Medicine and Inpatient Rehabilitation
Goal: Improving the PM&R Resident newsletter scope and audience engagement, especially for residents and fellows.
Charles D. Kenyon, DO, MS
Past President
PGY4, Chief Resident, University of Washington PM&R Program
Fun Fact: I have two kids. Wilke is two-and-a-half and Faye is nine months, after being born at the start of the pandemic last March.
PM&R Interest: Sports medicine; particularly activity promotion and injury prevention across all ages and abilities.
Matthew T. Haas, MD
Medical Education Committee (MEC)
PGY6, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Pediatric Rehabilitation Fellowship
Fun fact: I skipped my junior prom in favor of an overnight trip to New York City, where I randomly met Jon Stewart in a Chipotle and he bought meals for my friends and I.
PM&R Interest: Pediatric Cancer Rehabilitation, Medical Education
Goal: To promote high quality education in physiatry.
Sarah M. Smith, MD
Medical Education Committee (MEC)
PGY3, University of Washington PM&R Program
Fun Fact: I have a dog named Milo who is a Catahoula mix and goes almost everywhere with me, except for work.
PM&R Interest: Neurorehab
Goal: Looking forward to collaborating on some awesome and effective learning tools!
Kayla M. Williams, MD
Membership Committee
PGY4, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School PM&R Program
Fun Fact: After nine months in the pandemic, my patio garden is finally bearing two (very small) tomatoes. That makes three for the season, lol.
PM&R Interest: Peds 😊
Goal: Looking forward to working with everyone and boosting excitement about being an active member of the Academy.
Julie E. Witkowski, MD
Membership Committee
PGY5, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (Rochester) Brain Injury Fellowship
Fun Fact: I have recently started painting as a relaxing activity, even though I have absolutely no artistic background. I really enjoy it!
PM&R Interest: Brain Injury and Neuromuscular Medicine
Goal: I hope to continue furthering AAPM&R’s mission to increase and retain membership, particularly in trainees and young practice physicians.
Donald Kasitinon, MD
Quality, Practice, Policy and Research (QPPR) Committee
PGY5, Stanford University Sports Medicine Fellowship
Fun Fact: In 14-and-under basketball, was benched after getting dunked on by a future NBA player.
PM&R Interest: Sports Medicine
Goal: I plan to learn more about, and hope to contribute to, the behind-the-scenes policymaking that helps drive our specialty.
Christian W. Roehmer, MD
Quality, Practice, Policy and Research (QPPR) Committee
PGY2, Vanderbilt University Medical Center PM&R Program
Fun Fact: Can hit a tennis serve at 130 mph!
PM&R Interest: Interdisciplinary Pain Management
Goal: To help guide policy and research advances that support the goals of the Academy and the field of PM&R.
Jensine' J. Norman, MD
Inclusion and Engagement Committee Liaison
PGY6, Baylor College of Medicine Pediatric Rehabilitation Fellowship
Fun Fact: I have two cats, who don’t know any tricks. But I'm also a lazy crafter and enjoy hoarding crafting supplies, like stickers and scrapbook paper.
PM&R Interest: Peds
Goal: Looking forward to working together to help people feel like their voices are heard, and starting action plans.
Krupali Chokshi, MD
Specialty Brand Expansion Committee
PGY2, New York University Grossman School of Medicine PM&R Program at NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation
Fun Fact: I have a boxer lab named Shanti who loves wearing her winter sweaters and jacket—she’ll bring it to me before a walk!
PM&R Interest: Interventional Pain, Sports, Cancer Rehab
Goal: I’m excited to raise awareness and appreciation, especially to our colleagues in other fields, about what PM&R has to offer.
Alexander Ramirez, MD
Residency Program Liaison
PGY3, University of Pennsylvania Health System PM&R Program
Fun Fact: I went to medical school with Kayla (Williams) and a post-match panel she was on helped solidify my interest in PM&R. I also have a daughter who takes up a lot of my free time - in a good way - and her side-eye game is strong!
PM&R Interest: Interventional Pain
Goal: I’m excited to “meet” residents from other programs and facilitate communication between them and the PHiT Board.
Ky Viet D. Quach, DO
American Medical Association (AMA) Delegate
PGY2, Sparrow Hospital (Michigan State University) PM&R Program
Fun Fact: I solo-backpacked Japan for three weeks after medical school. Can’t wait to go on the next adventure post-pandemic.
PM&R Interest: EMG, Interventional Pain, Performing Arts Medicine
Goal: Represent our specialty well at the AMA and make sure our voices are heard. Collaborate with other members on resolutions of common interests.
Michael J. Del Busto, Jr., MD
Nominating Committee
PGY3, University of Louisville School of Medicine PM&R Program
Fun fact: My medical school superlative was “Most Likely to be Found in the Gym.” 😂
PM&R Interest: Sports Medicine
Goal: I am looking forward to helping our group continue to find great leadership!
Stephanie E. DeLuca, MD, MS
Nominating Committee
PGY3, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital/Harvard Medical School PM&R Program
Fun fact: When I was ten years old, I turned an unassisted triple play in softball. 🥎
PM&R Interest: Pediatric Sports Medicine
Goal: I am really excited to be more involved in AAPM&R and to help continue to select leaders with a passion for advancing the field!