Pablo Celnik Appointed Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to announce that Pablo Celnik has been appointed director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), after having served in this position in an interim capacity for the past 18 months. Dr. Celnik will also serve as physiatrist-in-chief for The Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Lawrence Cardinal Shehan Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

As interim director, Pablo has demonstrated exceptional leadership of the department while continuing his responsibilities as medical director for PM&R's Outpatient Neurorehabilitation Program, director of its Human Brain Physiology Laboratory and vice chair for research.

A native of Argentina, Pablo earned his medical degree from the University of Buenos Aires School of Medicine. He began his postdoctoral studies in Buenos Aires and continued them in the United States, with fellowships at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes for Health. He completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation in 2003 at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine—distinguished by his selection as chief resident. Pablo joined the faculty that year as an assistant professor, became associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation in 2009 and a full professor last year.

His research interests have focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying motor learning and motor recovery after brain injury and on developing interventions and new strategies to enhance motor recovery after stroke. Pablo has published more than 70 manuscripts in highly regarded journals and has been recognized for this work in a number of ways, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, in 2010.

As interim director, Pablo has extended his interest in mentoring junior faculty and students, while continuing efforts to establish a postdoctoral training program aimed at providing trainees with the skills necessary to conduct independent translational research. This work focuses on ways to improve the lives of children and adults with brain injury and neurological disabilities. Throughout this transitional period, he has also strived to position physical medicine and rehabilitation for the key role the department will play in a health care landscape strongly influenced by the Maryland Medicare waiver and population health.

We look forward to working with Pablo and his team to continue the superb, impactful work they are doing to improve function, independence and quality of life for our patients with physical and cognitive limitations. Please join us in congratulating Pablo on this well-deserved appointment.

Sincerely,

Paul B. Rothman, M.D.
Dean of the Medical Faculty
CEO, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Ronald R. Peterson
President
The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System
EVP, Johns Hopkins Medicine