Wake Forest University School of Medicine’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation provides nationally recognized comprehensive rehabilitative care, research, and education. The Department spans 6 inpatient facilities and over 20 outpatient locations in the Charlotte area, Winston Salem, and High Point.
Our Mission and Vision
Transforming Lives Through Innovation in Rehabilitation
Driven by a passion for restoring function and enhancing quality of life, the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Wake Forest University School of Medicine combines clinical excellence with pioneering research and transformative education. Our multidisciplinary teams leverage the latest advances in musculoskeletal, neurological, and medical rehabilitation to address physical and cognitive challenges — empowering patients to achieve their fullest potential.
We are committed to shaping the future of rehabilitation medicine through:
Cutting-edge research that translates scientific discoveries into real-world therapies and technologies.
Comprehensive educational programs that cultivate the next generation of leaders, clinicians, and innovators in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Collaborative care that integrates expertise across disciplines, ensuring every patient receives personalized, evidence-based treatment.
Together, we strive to redefine what’s possible in rehabilitation — advancing knowledge, inspiring hope, and transforming lives.
Department History
In 2026, physiatrists from Winston Salem, High Point, and Charlotte united to establish a single Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. This transformative partnership merges decades of distinguished experience and innovation, forging a department that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our achievements:
- CARF Accreditation: Our inpatient rehabilitation programs have earned multiple accreditations from CARF International, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, including comprehensive programs for adults, children, and specialty areas such as brain injury, stroke, and amputation. This recognition, maintained since 2000, represents the highest standard in rehabilitative care and demonstrates our dedication to measurable, accountable, and high-quality services.
- National Rankings: Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation, part of our department, has consistently ranked among the top 1% of the nation’s rehabilitation hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. Our programs are recognized for advanced technologies, expert clinical care, and outstanding patient outcomes.
- Research and Education: Our faculty lead active NIH and NIDILRR-funded studies, including a TBI Model System Follow-up Site, and host numerous investigatorinitiated and industry-sponsored clinical trials. We offer ACGME-accredited fellowships in Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, and NASS-recognized Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine fellowship, a fellowship in Cancer Rehabilitation, and present at national and international conferences. Our department is a hub for innovation, with advanced technologies such as robotic exoskeletons supporting cutting-edge rehabilitation research and care.
- Together, we harness our collective strengths to deliver exceptional patient care, advance groundbreaking research, and provide world-class education—elevating rehabilitation medicine and enriching the lives of the communities we serve.