Residency at Rusk Institute - a three year ACGME accredited program providing a broad exposure to all areas of the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

The residency at Rusk Institute, New York University Medical Center, was founded in 1948 by Howard A. Rusk. Considered the father of comprehensive rehabilitation medicine it is Rusk's philosophy - treating the entire person, an individual with emotional, psychological, and social needs, not just the illness or disability - that is passed from generation to generation of graduating Rusk residents.

Residents are admitted for PGY-2 positions starting July of each year. Most residents are accepted to the program through the National match. PGY-2 positions are often available directly from internship.

Although the exact sequence of rotations may vary, a typical 3 year rotation will include:

3 months 3 months 3 months 3 months
PGY 2 RIRM BH BH VAH (Brooklyn)
Adult In-patient Adult In- & Out-patient Adult In- & Out-patient Adult In- & Out-patient
PGY 3 RIRM HJD-OI RIRM RIRM
Cardiac Rehab Adult Orthopedic In- & Out-patient Pediatric In- & Out-patient Electrodiagnosis Neuromuscular clinic
PGY 4 RIRM Elective BH VAH (Manhatten)
Unit Chief Resident
Adult In-patient		 Chief Resident
In- & Out patient		 Chief Resident
In- & Out patient


  • RIRM - Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
  • BH - Bellevue Hospital
  • VAH - Veterans Administration Hospital (Manhatten or Brooklyn)
  • HJD-OI - Hospital for Joint Diseases - Orthopedic Institute

    Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine - is located at 34th Street and First Avenue, adjacent to Tisch Hospital of New York University Medical Center. Residents spend on average 18 months at Rusk on both adult and pediatric in-patient services, on the cardiac rehabilitation service and in the electrodiagnostic laboratory.

    Bellevue Hospital is located at 28th Street and First Avenue and is a level 1 trauma center. The Rehabilitation Department, inpatient floor and outpatient clinic, is located on the 6th floor. As well as general inpatient rehabilitation, there are beds dedicated to the management of traumatic brain injured patients.

    Orthopedic Institute - Hospital for Joint Disease is located at 17th Street and Second Avenue and is regarded as a leading institute for the treatment and rehabilitation from bone and joint diseases. Residents assigned rotate through acute orthopedic rehabilitation and the pain management service, and participate in various outpatient clinics.

    The Veterans Administration is based at 2 locations, both in Manhattan at 23rd Street and First Avenue, and in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn VA is outpatient and consult service based (no inpatient duties), and the Manhattan VA has inpatient, outpatient and consult service.

    Outpatient and Inpatient exposure...

    The balance of inpatient and outpatient exposure throughout the residency provides an ideal training in preparation for practice after residency. In general, residents spend 45 - 50% of their time in direct care inpatient responsibilities, and 50 - 55% of their time in outpatient or non-direct care inpatient responsibilities. Our graduating residents enter both outpatient and inpatient based practices and are equally prepared for both experiences. The average time spent in inpatient and outpatient areas at each hospital is provided:

    Direct Care In-Patient Responsibilities Out-Patient or non-Direct Care In-Patient Responsibilities
    Rusk Institute
    Adult Unit (6 - 9 months)
    Pediatric Unit (3 months)
    Electrodiagnoses (3 months)
    		 90-100%
    40%
    0%
    		0-10%
    60%
    100%
    Bellevue Hospital (6 months) 45% 55%
    Manhattan VA (3-6 months) 55% 45%
    Brooklyn VA (3 months) 0% 100%
    OI / HJD (3 months) 70% 30%
    Elective (3 months) 0% 100%
    Admin. Chief Resident, Rusk 0% 100%
    Chief Resident, Bellevue 0% 100%
    Average per Resident, 3 years 45 - 50% 50 - 55%

    The on call rotation is scheduled by the Administrative Chief Resident and averages every 8th night and every 9th Saturday or Sunday for the three year residency

    An in-depth educational experience...

    There is a well maintained balance between clinical practical experience and didactics within the residency program.

    Tuesday afternoons is protected time for the residents to attend the resident lecture series at Rusk, held 2 - 5pm. The curriculum encompasses the major areas of study within the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Basic topics include: functional anatomy; muscle testing and kinesiology; neuromuscular and musculoskeletal system; renal and cardiopulmonary pathophysiology; the vascular system; exercise; physical modalities etc. as well as the basic tools used for evaluation in Speech Pathology, Psychology, Audiology and Vocational Counseling.

    The lecture series also covers the clinical application of the basic sciences in such areas as musculoskeletal disorders and sports medicine, arthritis, stroke, spinal cord injury, neuromuscular diseases, amputations, cancer, brain injury, geriatrics and pediatrics etc. Lectures are given by PM&R faculty as well as invited guest lecturers from other NYU Medical School Departments and Medical Schools in the NY tri-state area.

    Feedback regarding the lecture series is encouraged in order to maximize the learning experience, and an examination is given for the residents at the end of each quarter. Floor coverage by the residents during the lecture time is arranged on a rotational basis by the Administrative Chief Resident.

    Study groups for board exam preparation...

    There is a weekly study group for residents in their first and second years of the residency program. Topics are reviewed from the major rehabilitation text books and discussion sessions are supervised by Attendings. The aim of the junior study group is to maintain a steady momentum of text review prior to the senior study group which commences in the final year.

    The senior year study group meets weekly to discuss topics for board review. The group is supervised by Attendings with understanding of the board examination style. This study group has been highly successful in helping Rusk graduates achieve the high pass rates on the board exams.

    State of the art courses, free to residents...

    Rusk residents attend both Upper and Lower Extremity Orthotics and Prosthetic and Spinal Orthotics courses which are held each year. They are taught by faculty and guest lecturers who are experts in the field of orthotics and prosthetics. These courses are consistently rated as 'excellent' by participants and are continually updated to provide the very latest in design and technology. Residents are exempt from clinical duties while attending these courses.

    An Annual Comprehensive Review of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is held at NYU Medical center every March and brings together the top lecturers and experts in their fields for this week long course. Rusk residents are encouraged to attend.

    Research and publication opportunities...

    Residents are encouraged to participate in research and local and national PM&R society organizations. A wide variety of opportunities for independent research is available to all residents. It is expected that each resident complete a research project. Under the guidance of the departments research director and supervising Attendings, projects are completed and can be submitted to local and national organizations for presentation and publication. If accepted, the department will financially support the resident to attend these meetings.

    Access to national organizations...

    Residents have been active in several rehabilitation organizations including the New York State Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Resident section of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Association of Academic Physiatrists. Papers, posters and oral presentations are made by Rusk residents at these societies annual meetings every year.

    The department pays for annual Resident membership in the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and subscription to the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

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