Finding Strength: The Spaulding Rehabilitation Podcast

Spaulding Rehabilitation

A monthly podcast that brings together voices in the rehabilitation community. Monthly episodes will be inspired by research conducted out of the Spaulding Research Institute and stories from people with lived experiences. We aim to show how research has real meaning for real people.

  1. JAN 8

    Aging, Osteoarthritis, and Pain: How Menopause Shapes Women’s Musculoskeletal Health

    Featuring expert perspectives from Drs. Fabrisia Ambrosio and Gabrielle Gilmer, together with Elise Sargent’s first-hand account, this episode integrates current research on menopause biology and knee osteoarthritis with the tangible effects of joint pain in women. This episode examines the often-overlooked relationship between menopause and joint discomfort, highlighting the intersection of biological mechanisms, scientific inquiry, and lived experience in the context of women's osteoarthritis. Fabrisia Ambrosio, PhD is the Atlantic Charter Director of the Discovery Center for Musculoskeletal Recovery at the Schoen Adams Research Institute and an associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. Her translational research focuses on developing innovative strategies to improve tissue healing and functional recovery by leveraging mechanical signals to enhance endogenous and donor stem cell function following injury or disease. An international leader in regenerative rehabilitation, she directs the NIH-funded Alliance for Regenerative Rehabilitation Research & Training (AR3T) and founded the International Consortium and Annual Symposium on Regenerative Rehabilitation. Gabrielle Gilmer, PhD is a trainee in the MD/PhD program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine with a research focus at the intersection of women’s health and orthopedic surgery. She completed her PhD in 2024 in Dr. Fabrisia Ambrosio’s lab at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, where her doctoral thesis focused on examining how menopause impacts knee osteoarthritis. Her work spans preclinical models to human clinical trials, with a particular emphasis on how sex and gender influence musculoskeletal pathology and outcomes. She has published in high-impact journals on aging, osteoarthritis, and musculoskeletal health and is planning to pursue orthopedic surgery residency this upcoming year.   Elise Sargent is a longtime advocate for osteoarthritis, having spent more than three decades navigating life with the condition while remaining highly active as a dancer, golfer, and fitness enthusiast. She brings a patient-centered perspective shaped by her journey of adaptation, self-advocacy, and engagement with the healthcare system, as well as her volunteer leadership with the Arthritis Foundation, including organizing and fundraising for the Boston Walk to Cure Arthritis. Professionally, Elise is a retired software developer and senior engineering leader who now mentors and teaches leadership skills and project management to graduate and PhD students at Northeastern University.   Episode Resources Episode Articles & Related Research Menopause-induced 17β-estradiol and progesterone loss increases senescence markers, matrix disassembly and degeneration in mouse cartilage⁠ Advocacy, Education, & Community Organizations Arthritis FoundationWalk to Cure Arthritis 2026 – Boston, MANews & Services MGB News Release https://spauldingrehab.org/about/news/study-identifies-mechanism-underlying-increased-osteoarthritis-risk-in-postmenopausal-females If you are interested in one of the articles highlighted on the show, but are having trouble accessing it, please reach out to us at SRNOutcomesCenter@partners.org.   Subscribe to Finding Strength Spotify | iHeartRadio | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts   Credits Shonali Gaudino, OT, Host, Producer, Co-Creator Ellyn Pier, MPH, Producer, Co-Host Chuck Clough, Editor Mary Slavin, Executive Producer This production is a collaboration between, and partially funded by, the Rehabilitation Outcomes Center at Spaulding and our Model Systems: the Boston-Harvard Burn Injury Model System (NIDILRR Award #90DPBU0008), the Spaulding-Harvard Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (NIDILRR Award #90DPTB0027-01-01), and the Spaulding New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Model System Center (NIDILRR Award #90SIM0017-01-00).

    36 min

  2. 11/25/2025

    Synapse National: Recruiting Physiatry’s Next Generation

    Episode Description: This episode explores Synapse National, a nonprofit dedicated to helping college students broaden social support networks for individuals affected by brain injury. Episode Guests: Brett Bullington Brett is a tech executive and investor and a longtime Synapse community member at Stanford who sustained a severe brain injury in 2012. He has since been an active mentor and volunteer patient educator. He spends his time walking, connecting with others, and sharing candid insights to support fellow survivors and train future healthcare providers. Jessica Lo  Jessica Lo is a graduate of Boston University School of Medicine and is now a resident in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Washington. She founded the Synapse chapter at the University of Washington when she was an undergraduate and remains a mentor for newer chapter leads. She is passionate about advocacy and is planning to pursue training in physical medicine and rehabilitation to care for people with brain injuries. Alissa Totman, MD, MPH Alissa Totman, MD, MPH, is a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) physician specializing in brain injury medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. She received her medical degree from the Stanford School of Medicine, completed her residency in PM&R at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital / Harvard Medical School, and completed her fellowship in brain injury medicine at UPMC. She is board-certified in PM&R and brain injury medicine. Her clinical focus is on providing brain injury care across the continuum, beginning with early multidisciplinary rehabilitation in the acute care setting. She provides care as a consultant at UPMC Presbyterian and has an outpatient practice dedicated to brain injury and spasticity management. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Synapse National, an organization dedicated to expanding social support for individuals with brain injury and inspiring the next generation of leaders in the field. Episode Resources:  Episode Articles & Related Research Jumreornvong, O., Haque, A., Tabacof, L., Bolds, A., Sanchez, A., Martinez, C. I., Verduzco-Gutierrez, M., & Escalon, M. X. (2022). Awareness of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as a Specialty Among US Medical Students. American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation, 101(7 Suppl 1), S45–S50. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000001822   Yang, A. J., Haring, R. S., Swenson, T. L., & Jain, N. B. (2021). Factors Influencing Fellowship Decision Making During Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency. American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation, 100(4), 396–401. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000001608 Advocacy, Education, & Community Organizations ·       Home | Synapse National ·       Brett's Recovery (tumblr.com) Synapse in the News  ·       Stanford Daily ·       New York Times   If you are interested in one of the articles highlighted on the show, but are having trouble accessing it, please reach out to us at SRNOutcomesCenter@partners.org. Credits  Shonali Gaudino, OT, Host, Producer Chuck Clough, Editor Mary Slavin, PhD, Executive Producer This production is a collaboration between, and partially funded by, the Rehabilitation Outcomes Center at Spaulding and our Model Systems: the Boston-Harvard Burn Injury Model System (NIDILRR Award #90DPBU0008), the Spaulding-Harvard Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (NIDILRR Award #90DPTB0027-01-01), and the Spaulding New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Model System Center (NIDILRR Award #90SIM0017-01-00).

    27 min

  3. 06/30/2025

    Systems Science and the Complex Healthcare Journey of People with Aphasia

    In this special episode honoring the close of National Aphasia Awareness Month, we share a powerful personal story of stroke and aphasia. Joined by Paul and Yasmèn Guidoboni, along with speech-language pathologist Olivia Gampel and systems science expert Dr. Carla Hendricks, we explore the complex journey faced by people with aphasia, their care partners, and the clinicians who support them.

    40 min

  4. 04/30/2025

    Conversations on Severe Traumatic Brain Injury and Life Sustaining Treatment

    In this episode of Finding Strength, we explore thedifficult decisions families face when a loved one experiences a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly regarding life-sustaining treatment.In this episode we speak with Debra, whose daughter Marissa sustained a severe TBI in a car accident and spent months as a Spaulding patient. We also hear from Dr. Theresa Williamson, a neurosurgeon and surgical ethics researcher, and Dr. Yelena Bodien, a clinical neuroscientist specializing in disorders of consciousness. Together, they discuss the evolving science of prognosis in TBI, the impact of early decisions to withdraw life-sustaining treatment, and the need for improved patient-doctor communication in critical care settings. Episode Guests Yelena Bodien, PhD is an Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) in the Department of Surgery, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Department of Neurological Surgery. She is an investigator in the VUMC Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center where she co-directs the Imaging Core. Previously she was faculty at Massachusetts General Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital where the work described in this podcast was conducted. Dr. Bodien studies recovery after severe brain injury, applying standardized neurobehavioral assessment and advanced neuroimaging techniques to improve diagnostic and prognostic precision. Dr. Bodien holds leadership positions in the Neurocritical Care Society Curing Coma Campaign and the American Congress for Rehabilitation Medicine. Theresa Williamson, MD is a neurosurgeon and surgical ethics researcher who cares for people with all types of spine disorders as well as brain and spinal trauma.  Her clinical expertise includes tailoring an approach to best fitthe patient and their disease including using minimally invasive techniques. Her research focus is neurosurgical decision-making and patient-doctor communication as well as health care disparities. She combines bioethics theory with empirical data science to tackle complex decision-making problems in neurosurgery. Dr. Williamson is a member of the Center for Outcomes and Patient Safety in Surgery (COMPASS) at Massachusetts General Hospital. Deb Jones is a proud parent of a 39-year-old daughter who sustained a significant TBI. Her career as an educator spanned over 38 years and included teaching kindergarten through third grade. Over the last 12 years of teaching, Deb served as Math Specialist for Kindergarten through sixth grade in her hometown district. Following her retirement, Deb focused on her many interests of gardening, reading, walking, traveling, and enjoying her new granddaughter! Last year she received a phone call with news that no parent ever wants to hear – her beautiful, vibrant daughter had been in a car accident while traveling from NH to Virginia and was hospitalized with a serious TBI. From that moment on, Deb has focused on advocacy efforts to ensure that her daughter has access to best possible resources. She and her husband serve as caregivers for their daughter. The journey is long and ongoing, but with the results of research, support from dedicated therapists, family and friends, and continued love and prayers from all, the future is promising. The goal is for her daughter to have increased independence, enjoy a high quality of life and return to all that she loves and holds dear! Episode Resources Episode Articles & Related Research Recovery Potential in Patients Who Died After Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment: A TRACK-TBI Propensity Score Analysis | Journal of Neurotrauma Advocacy, Education, & Community Organizations Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts Credits Shonali Gaudino, OT, Host, Producer, Co-Creator Ellyn Pier, MPH, Production Coordinator, Co-Host Chuck Clough, Editor Mary Slavin, PhD, Executive Producer

    26 min

  5. 03/18/2024

    Building Bridges for Brain Injury: The Legacy of Marilyn Spivack & Dr. Mel Glenn

    In this episode, we spotlight two special figures in the evolution of brain injury rehabilitation: Dr. Mel Glenn and Marilyn Spivack. Episode Guests: Mel Glenn, MD has been a physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for over 40 years, and on staff at Spaulding Rehabilitation since 1998. He was Chief of the Brain Injury Division of the Department of PM&R from 2015-2023. He is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School (HMS.). From 1998 – 2008, Dr. Glenn was Project Director of the Spaulding/Partners TBI Model System at HMS, a research grant funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. He has been Medical Director of Brain Injury Services in MA for Mentor ABI/NeuroRestorative since 1991 and Medical Director of Community Rehab Care since 1996. Dr. Glenn was the editor of the Update on Pharmacology column of Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation from 1985 to 2013. Marilyn Spivack is a brain injury advocate. She and her husband Dr. Martin Spivack co-founded the National Head Injury Foundation, which grew into what is known today as the Brain Injury Association of America and the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts. They founded the organization because their daughter, Deborah Price sustained a severe head injury on March 15th, 1975, which left her severely disabled and at the time, there were no dedicated TBI extended rehabilitation or cognitive services available. Marilyn served as President of the National Head Injury Foundation for almost 10 years from 1981 – 1991, and then continued her journey as a consultant and at Spaulding Rehabilitation as a Neurotrauma Outreach Coordinator, serving professionals, patients, and families seeking assistances with resources and services. She has served as Co-Chair of the Policy & Legislation Committee of American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine since 2006. Episode Resources: Episode Articles & Related Research Twenty years of pharmacology Advocacy, Education, & Community Organizations Brain Injury Association of America Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts News & Services NeuroRestorative | Rebuilding Lives After Brain Injury

    26 min

  6. 01/30/2024

    Which Head Impacts Lead to CTE?

    In this episode we discuss findings about the kinds of head impacts that lead to neurodegenerative brain disease. Episode Guests Daniel Daneshvar, MD, PhD Dr. Daneshvar conducts research on the long-term effects of moderate-severe traumatic brain injury, concussion, and repetitive head impacts, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Dr. Daneshvar's work has been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Annals of Neurology, and Brain, and has been featured broadly including in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, NPR, and ESPN. He also founded Team Up Against Concussions, the first scientifically validated concussion education program for kids. He is the Director of the Institute for Brain Research and Innovation at TeachAids, which created CrashCourse: a free, scientifically validated virtual reality and computer-based concussion education program. He received his S.B. from MIT and completed his M.D./Ph.D. at the BU CTE Center. His research resulted in the first dissertation in history to study CTE. He completed residency at Stanford University before joining the faculty at Harvard Medical School. Lisa McHale Lisa McHale graduated from Cornell University, where she met her husband, Tom McHale, an All-American Defensive End for the Big Red. They married in 1990 and moved to Tampa, where Tom began his 9-year NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (and later the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins) and Lisa received a Master’s and Educational Specialist (ED.S) degree in School Psychology from the University of South Florida. Their eldest son T.J. was born in May 1994. He was joined by brothers Michael in January 1998 and Matthew in December 1999. Lisa first became aware of CTE in 2008 when her husband of eighteen years passed away in May and became the second former NFL player diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) by researchers at the CTE Center at Boston University School of Medicine. In early 2010, Lisa joined the team at the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF), first serving as the Volunteer and Family Coordinator. She currently serves as the Director of Legacy Family Relations for both CLF and the BU CTE Center, working remotely from her home in Tampa, Florida. Episode Resources Episode Articles & Related Research Leveraging football accelerometer data to quantify associations between repetitive head impacts and chronic traumatic encephalopathy in males | Nature Communications UNITE Brain Bank | CTE Center Advocacy, Education, & Community Organizations Homepage | Concussion Legacy Foundation Brain Injury Association of America | BIAA News & Services The FRONTLINE Interview: Lisa McHale | Twin Cities PBS Collective Force of Head Hits Increases Odds of CTE, Study Says | The New York Times

    35 min

  7. 09/13/2023

    Concussion in School Sports

    In this episode we discuss concussion education programs for school sports. Episode Guests: Daniel Daneshvar, MD, PhD Dr. Daneshvar conducts research on the long-term effects of moderate-severe traumatic brain injury, concussion, and repetitive head impacts, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Dr. Daneshvar's work has been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Annals of Neurology, and Brain, and has been featured broadly including in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, NPR, and ESPN. He also founded Team Up Against Concussions, the first scientifically validated concussion education program for kids. He is the Director of the Institute for Brain Research and Innovation at TeachAids, which created CrashCourse: a free, scientifically validated virtual reality and computer-based concussion education program. He received his S.B. from MIT and completed his M.D./Ph.D. at the BU CTE Center. His research resulted in the first dissertation in history to study CTE. He completed residency at Stanford University before joining the faculty at Harvard Medical School. Esther Lovett Esther is an analyst at Guidepost Growth Equity. She joins us in this episode because of her experience as an advocate for post-concussion syndrome. As an eighth grader in 2013, she experienced her first concussion while playing soccer. Over the next few years, Esther, who was an avid athlete playing soccer, hockey, and tennis, experienced a total of five diagnosed concussions. She shares her experiences to support others with insights, suggestions, and information on various platforms including her own website, Headstrong. Episode Resources: Episode Articles & Related Research Athlete Enjoyment of Prior Education Moderates change in Concussion-Reporting Intention after Interactive Education | Inquiry Evaluating the Effect of Concussion-Education Programs on Intent to Report Concussion in High School Football | Journal of Athletic Training Participating in Two Video Concussion Education Programs Sequentially Improves Concussion-Reporting Intention | Neurotrauma Reports Advocacy, Education, & Community Organizations The Team Up Against Concussions Speech | Concussion Legacy Foundation CrashCourse Concussion Education | TeachAids Esther Lovett's Post-Concussion Syndrome Blog | Concussion Legacy Foundation Headstrong Concussion Concussion Story Wall If you are interested in one of the articles highlighted on the show, but are having trouble accessing it, please reach out to us at SRNOutcomesCenter@partners.org. Credits Shonali Gaudino, OT, Host, Producer Chuck Clough, Editor This production is a collaboration between, and partially funded by, the Rehabilitation Outcomes Center at Spaulding and our Model Systems: the Boston-Harvard Burn Injury Model System (NIDILRR Award #90DPBU0008), the Spaulding-Harvard Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (NIDILRR Award #90DPTB0027-01-01), and the Spaulding New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Model System Center (NIDILRR Award #90SIM0017-01-00).

    38 min

  8. 08/22/2023

    Equity in Elite Sports: The Paralympian

    In this episode, we hear about the state of the science of sports medicine in the elite para-athlete. Episode Guests: Cheri Blauwet, MD is an Associate Professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, the Distinguished Chair in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the Chief Medical Officer of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. She is an attending sports medicine physician at Mass General Brigham, where she also serves as Founding Director of the Kelley Adaptive Sports Research Institute. Dr. Blauwet is also a former Paralympic athlete in the sport of wheelchair racing, competing for the United States Team in three Paralympic Games (Sydney '00, Athens '04, Beijing '08) and bringing home a total of seven Paralympic medals. She is also a two-time winner of both the Boston and New York City Marathons. Professor Wayne Derman is the Executive Head of the Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, as well as the Head of Division: Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine (ISEM) at Stellenbosch University. He is currently a Co-director of the IOC Research Centre in South Africa and heads up one of two FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence in Africa. His research focuses on secondary prevention of chronic diseases of lifestyle, and injury and illness prevention in athletes including those with disabilities. Episode Resources: Episode Articles & Related Research Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport-Amsterdam, October 2022 Shoulder Pain, Function, and Ultrasound-Determined Structure in Elite Wheelchair-Using Para Athletes | Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise Para sport translation of the IOC consensus on recording and reporting of data for injury and illness in sport | British Journal of Sports Medicine Kelley Institute for Adaptive Sports Research | Spaulding Rehabilitation Network Advocacy, Education, & Community Organizations International Paralympic Committee News & Services USA goalball makes incredible comeback | NBC Sports If you are interested in one of the articles highlighted on the show, but are having trouble accessing it, please reach out to us at SRNOutcomesCenter@partners.org. Credits Shonali Gaudino, OT, Host, Producer Chuck Clough, Editor This production is a collaboration between, and partially funded by, the Rehabilitation Outcomes Center at Spaulding and our Model Systems: the Boston-Harvard Burn Injury Model System (NIDILRR Award #90DPBU0008), the Spaulding-Harvard Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (NIDILRR Award #90DPTB0027-01-01), and the Spaulding New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Model System Center (NIDILRR Award #90SIM0017-01-00).

    51 min
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About

A monthly podcast that brings together voices in the rehabilitation community. Monthly episodes will be inspired by research conducted out of the Spaulding Research Institute and stories from people with lived experiences. We aim to show how research has real meaning for real people.

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