Captain Mark Kelly and Captain Luis Montalvan to Address Rehabilitation Physicians Thursday at AAPM&R Annual Assembly in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- "Rehabilitation medicine has been highlighted this year in the media with several high profile stories. I am so pleased to be able to share two of them this week," says Michael F. Lupinacci, MD, president of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R).  Dr. Lupinacci will welcome special guest speakers Captain Mark Kelly, United States Navy, Retired and Captain Luis Montalvan, United States Army, Retired during his Presidential Address on Thursday, November 17. The Address will be held during the AAPM&R Annual Assembly in Orlando, Florida November 16 – 20, 2011.

Captain Kelly is an astronaut and husband of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who is recovering from a traumatic brain injury. Captain Luis Montalvan is a wounded warrior who will bring his service golden retriever, Tuesday.  Both speakers have had personal experience with physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) and their comments will address the impact of the specialty on their lives.  Captain Kelly's book, Gabby: a Story of Courage and Hope, co-authored with his wife, was released this week. Earlier this year, Captain Montalvan's book, Until Tuesday, was a New York Times bestseller.

PM&R physicians are nerve, muscle, brain and bone experts who treat injuries or illnesses that affect how you move and function in everyday life. They are also known as physiatrists, one of 24 American Board of Medical Specialties-certified specialties.  Using their expertise in rehabilitation after injury and illness and assessing the individual effects on each patient, rehabilitation physicians assemble a treatment program customized to that person's individual medical needs.  

For more information, please contact Joanne Constantine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) at 312-480-8601. AAPM&R is the national medical specialty society of more than 8,000 physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, also called physiatrists. Visit www.aapmr.org for more information.

Contact: Joanne Constantine, 312-480-8601

SOURCE American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation