Residency Training Program

Program Overview

We offer a four-year categorical ACGME-accredited Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation training program. We are committed to supporting trainees who work with a diverse patient population under the mentorship of outstanding faculty that foster inter-professional teamwork. The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is dedicated to excellence in rehabilitative care through advances in rehabilitation research, collaboration across health care disciplines, outstanding educational opportunities and strong patient advocacy.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Vanderbilt Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Training is to train future leaders in physiatry medicine in a collaborative and supportive environment that provides training in complex clinical skills, didactic education, and research opportunities in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Our program aims to

• Provide a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and appropriately supervised academic setting in which advanced, highly skilled education in physiatry can occur.
• Develop the resident academically and professionally, while providing resident wellness and balance. Competencies to be acquired include those of medical knowledge, patient care, practice-based learning and improvement, communication and interpersonal skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice.
• Provide collaborative opportunities for residents to engage in scholarly activities with faculty who are engaged in leadership positions across the spectrum of PM&R.
• Continuously evaluate the residency program in order to provide the most relevant and diverse educational experience to foster exceptional physiatrists.

Welcome from the Program Director

Welcome to Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Program. As Program Director, it’s a privilege to lead a program that is not only rooted in academic excellence and clinical rigor, but also deeply committed to developing well-rounded, compassionate, and capable physiatrists.

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation medicine is an exciting expertise in medicine that is essential to optimizing patient outcomes and quality of life. Our residents train in a wide range of clinical settings, working with diverse patient populations and learning from faculty who are passionate about teaching and advancing the field. From inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient musculoskeletal care to spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, pediatric rehabilitation, and interventional procedures, our program offers comprehensive exposure to all core areas of PM&R.

What sets us apart is our culture of collaboration, mentorship and support. We take pride not only in the strength of our training, but in the people who make this program what it is; curious, dedicated, and driven physiatrists who care deeply about their patients and each other.

Whether you’re interested in private practice, academic medicine, research or pursuing a sub-specialty, Vanderbilt offers the foundation and flexibility to help you achieve your goals. I encourage you to explore our program, connect with our residents and faculty, and see for yourself what makes Vanderbilt PM&R a truly special place to train.

Warm regards,

Robert Rinaldi, MD 

Residency Program Director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Program Goals

The overarching goal of the Vanderbilt Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Training Program is to produce physicians who can competently and independently practice general physical medicine and rehabilitation medicine, also known as physiatry medicine.

• Upon completion of this program, residents will be able to
• Demonstrate sufficient competence in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Milestones of The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)*.
• Complete and present a Quality Improvement (QI) Project approved by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPM&R).
• Admissible for Part 1 of the ABPM&R certifying examination.

Why Choose Us

Residents work in a collaborative and supportive environment that provides comprehensive training in complex clinical skills, education, and research in PM&R.

• The majority of our graduating classes are accepted into fellowship programs.
• Residents have protected time for didactics and wellness activities.
• Residents work with faculty who are engaged in leadership positions regionally, nationally, and internationally ranging from the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR), American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R), North American Spine Society (NASS), Spine Intervention Society (SIS), Tennessee Department of Health, and the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching. See more information about our faculty, including research and clinical interests.
• For the third year in a row, Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital is recognized as one of America’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers, and has dedicated SCI, TBI, Stroke inpatient services as well as General Rehab and Complex Medicine services. in 2022.
• We provide a robust and collaborative environment for residents to engage in scholarly activities across the spectrum of PM&R. View the latest in PM&R Resident Research (PDF).

To Apply

Applications are received through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).

All applications must include:

• ERAS Application
• Curriculum vitae
• Personal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• Successfully completion of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) Level 1 and Level 2.

Application Submission Deadline: Nov. 1

Residency Interview Schedule

All interviews will be conducted virtually

Visa information

Due to the vast number of highly qualified applicants, only a small number of international medical graduates are invited to interview. Significant "hands-on" clinical experience in the United States (NOT an observership or research) is highly recommended. For international medical graduates we require

• Three letters of recommendation from clinical supervisors in the United States
• USMLE Steps 1 & 2 scores are required at the time of interview
• Medical School graduation date of 2020 or later

We sponsor J-1 Visas and consider sponsoring H-1B Visas 

Meet Our Team

Robert Rinaldi, MD 

Professor and Vice Chair of Education
Residency Program Director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Aaron Yang, MD

Associate Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Associate Program Director, Residency Training Program, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Medical Director of Musculoskeletal Medicine at Concierge Medicine

Irene McKirgan, MSM

Senior Program Manager, Residency Training Program
(615) 936-5502
irene.m.mckirgan.1@vumc.org

Residency Selection Team

Along with Drs. Rinaldi and Yang, the following faculty serve as members of the residency selection team:

Heidi Chen, MD
Assistant Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Ashley Eaves, MD
Assistant Professor of Clinical, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Elise McClanahan, MD
Assistant Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Clausyl J. Plummer, MD
Assistant Professor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

For more information about the PM&R Residency Program and Graduate Medical Education at VUMC, view our virtual tours.