WASHINGTON, DC – March 17, 2016 – Curtis Whitehair, MD, FAAPMR, program director for the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residency program at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital/MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is one of just 10 recipients of a 2016 Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). He was chosen for this prestigious honor from among more than 9,800 residency program directors representing all specialties.

The award honors residency program leaders who find creative ways to teach residents and fellows, while providing quality health care. It recognizes those leaders who have fostered innovation and improvement in their residency programs and serve as exemplary role models for residents.

“We are very proud of Curtis—not simply for this recent recognition—but for his day-to-day inspiring approach to resident education,” says Michael Yochelson, MD, MBA, MedStar NRH vice president for medical affairs and chief medical officer. “He has brought real innovation to our program and helped propel it into one of the most sought after psychiatry residencies in the country.”

“Being a program director is very much like being the conductor of an orchestra. And to succeed you need the support of all the players,” says Dr. Whitehair. “I’ve been fortunate that the leadership at MedStar NRH has supported my efforts. They have made education a critical mission of this institution. I’m grateful for their support—and very grateful to ACGME for this honor.”

About MedStar National Rehabilitation Network

The MedStar National Rehabilitation Network (MedStar NRH) is a regional system of rehabilitation care that offers inpatient, day treatment and outpatient services in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.

The Network’s interdisciplinary team of rehabilitation experts provides comprehensive services to help people recover as fully as possible following illness and injury.  Rehabilitation medicine specialists, psychologists, physical and occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists work hand-in-hand with other rehab professionals to design treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs.  Rehabilitation plans feature a team approach and include the use of state-of-the-art technology and advanced medical treatment based on the latest rehabilitation research.  

The Network provides comprehensive programs specifically designed to aid in the rehabilitation of adults and children recovering from neurologic and orthopedic conditions such as amputation, arthritis, back and neck pain, brain injury, cancer, cardiac conditions, concussion, fibromyalgia, foot and ankle disorders, hand and upper extremity problems, post-polio syndrome, stroke, spinal cord injury and disease, and sports and work-related injuries.

Inpatient and day treatment programs are provided at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital located in Northwest Washington, DC and at more than 50 outpatient sites conveniently located throughout the region.  MedStar NRH is consistently ranked by physicians in U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s “Best Hospitals” for Rehabilitation, and is fully accredited by The Joint Commission,  the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), with CARF accredited specialty programs for Amputations, Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury and Stroke.

For more on MedStar NRH and to find a location near you, log on to MedStarNRH.org.

Contact: Derek T. Berry
Director of Communications
Ph: 202-877-1773
[email protected]