Description

The AAP’s Resident/ Fellow Council (RFC) is every in-training physiatrists’ resource for year-round personal and professional development opportunities. We have representatives on every AAP committee and subcommittee working alongside leaders in the field to ensure trainees have a voice in every level of the AAP. We also plan the AAP Annual Meeting resident/ fellow track and networking night, provide mentorship to medical students, and much more.

Our Subcommittees

We know that leadership opportunities in the RFC are limited, so we created even more opportunities for you to serve! Stay plugged in to our podcasts, social media channels, webinars, and more to see all of the great resources coming out of our subcommittees.

  • Technology Subcommittee – Generates and publishes podcasts on a variety of interesting topics for AAP members, from interviews with Department Chairs and tips on applying to fellowship to hot topics in the field (and everything in between!)
  • Research & QI Subcommittee – Progresses translational and clinical research opportunities and supports the research endeavors of young PM&R professionals through toolkits, podcasts, grand rounds, and mentoring
  • Social Media Subcommittee – Maintains the AAP’s social media channels by creating and posting content on the different programs and initiatives within the AAP, innovations in the field, and unique member spotlights
  • Well-Being Subcommittee – Raises awareness about the importance of well-being and burnout prevention through “Words of Wellness” in each issue of Physiatry Forward (the AAP’s member magazine), the AAP’s website, social media posts (“Wellness Wednesdays”), virtual events (Annual Fitness Challenge, Book Club), and more!
Applications are now OPEN for subcommittee positions on our 2025-2026 RFC!

The deadline for submission is Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 11:59PM ET.

Learn More & Apply Now

RFC at Annual Meeting

Every year at the AAP’s Annual Meeting, the RFC works with leaders to create workshops and sessions designed for your educational and career development needs. Here’s a look some of the sessions we’ve planned in the past:

  • Resident, Fellow & Medical Student Boot Camp
  • Beyond the Case Report: Maximizing Scholarly Activity During PM&R Training
  • PM&R Boards: Tips for Success from the ABPMR
  • Your First Job: Searching, Signing & Starting
  • Early Career Physician Financial Wellness
  • Fellowship Roundtable
  • Hot Topics Roundtable for Residents & Fellows

Get More Information About Annual Meeting

Physiatry in Motion: The RFC’s Newsletter

The Resident/ Fellow Council’s online newsletter, Physiatry in Motion, is released four times a year and highlights various topics surrounding PM&R residency and fellowship. If you would like to submit an article for the next issue of Physiatry in Motion, email Drew Redepenning, our Technology Representative. You can also follow us and share your comments on Medium!

Stay Connected

Eager to meet your peers to learn, grow and share together? The RFC strives to create a community for all current and future physiatry trainees. So when we’re not laughing and connecting at the AAP’s Annual Meeting, you can find us in the below ways.

Follow us on social media:

Email us if you have any tips or ideas to share.

Resources

Read and submit to AJPM&R’s Resident and Fellow Section

AJPM&R Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Walter Frontera, has created the “Resident and Fellow Section,” a new section of the journal with published articles authored by trainees in physiatry covering topics relevant to our training. Learn more and submit content for peer-review!

Podcasts

The AAP develops podcasts that discuss a variety of topics aimed at answering questions you may face during training such as choosing mentors, choosing a fellowship, job searching and contract negotiations, the road to becoming a department chair, and more!

AAP Programs

The AAP has programs that will help you grow along the continuum of your career. Residents and fellows, get involved in the Rehabilitation Medicine Scientist Training Program (RMSTP)! Early career faculty, build a lifelong career of leadership in the Program for Academic Leadership (PAL).

Fellowship Directory

Residents can easily locate ACGME accredited fellowship programs through the AAP’s Fellowship Directory broken down by physiatry subspecialties brain injury medicine, neuromuscular medicine, pain medicine, pediatric rehabilitation, spinal cord injury and sports medicine.

Virtual Campus

The AAP’s Virtual Campus is your on-demand resource for comprehensive academic physiatry information and education. Find webinars, annual meeting sessions, e-leadership, virtual didactics and more.

Essential Articles in PM&R

View a peer-reviewed compilation of articles covering the scope of physiatric practice to help you learn more about PM&R here.

Presentations & Videos

PM&R Fairs & Student Interest Groups

Introduce students at your medical school and surrounding schools to PM&R by holding a PM&R Fair or organizing an interest group. The AAP can help you by providing a grant of up to $1,000 to assist with costs of a fair. We also have a sample planning guide to make the most of your fair and/or interest group.

Council Members

Eric Jones, MD

Chair

Elizabeth Chang, MD

Vice Chair

Jessica Sher
Jessica Sher, MD

Past Chair

Mustafa Dodurgali, MD

Secretary

Alyssa Goldenhart, DO

Social Media & Digital Outreach Representative

Drew Redepenning, MD

Technology Representative