PM&R Faculty and Department Updates: Fall 2026
Faculty Updates
Kim Barker, M.D., was promoted to Professor in the Clinical Educator track. She has provided cancer rehabilitation at the Cancer Center (originally Simmons Cancer Center, now Cancer Center Outpatient Building) since 2012 and has also led the consult service at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital for several years. Dr. Barker also serves as the Department’s Vice Chair of Academic and Faculty Affairs.
Anjali Shah, M.D., was promoted to Professor in the Clinician track. Dr. Shah was pivotal in the creation of the Wheelchair Seating and Positioning Clinic and has tirelessly cared for patients with multiple sclerosis and spasticity.
Haibi (Daniel) Cai, M.D., has been participating in the institution's Leadership Emerging in Academic Departments (LEAD) program for 2026. Dr. Barker completed the institution's LEVEL Up program for next level leadership skills.
Donald Kasitinon, M.D., is one of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation’s 2026 Innovators and Influencer Honorees. His clinical, teaching, and research accomplishments were recognized by the academy for their impact on the field of physiatry.
Wei-Han Tan, M.D., began a new role at the VA as the Deputy Chief of Staff Education Service. Merrine Klakeel, D.O., moved into the role of VANTHCS SCI/D Academic site Director.
Department Updates
UT Southwestern celebrated the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act this past July with its annual event led by Heakyung Kim, M.D., Professor and our Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She discussed the need for accessible, coordinated care for individuals with disabilities, particularly during the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare. The event included the journey of one of Dr. Kim's patients. Also part of the event were panelists sharing strategies to strengthen support systems, improve healthcare access, and enhance patient outcomes. Beyond barriers, toward possibility: UTSW celebrates the Americans with Disabilities Act: Center Times Plus, UT Southwestern
Paul Bosse, B.S.N., RN, CNML, CRRN, M.B.A., Nurse Manager for the UTSW Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, received the Patient Safety Star Award at the UT Southwestern Health System Celebration of Excellence. The award highlighted Paul’s outstanding leadership and the unit’s proactive commitment to patient safety.
The UT Southwestern Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit and its Medical Director, Amar Patel, M.D., were featured in Center Times Plus for Dr. Patel’s leadership of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team that helped a patient recover and return to work and her hobbies after a spinal abscess led to paraplegia. Through coordinated, patient-centered care involving physicians, nurses, therapists, and other rehabilitation specialists, the team achieved an outstanding outcome and demonstrated the transformative impact of comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation. A spinal emergency changed Veronica Luna's life: UTSW rehab program helped restore it: Center Times Plus, UT Southwestern
We wanted to also remember Vikki Nelson, who passed away on August 17. Vikki was a dedicated Administrative Assistant in the PM&R Department for 28 years, proudly supporting numerous faculty – including former Department Chairs Phala Helm, M.D., Karen Kowalske, M.D., and Kathleen Bell, M.D. – before retiring in 2020. She worked tirelessly at her job and provided the assistance that allowed Drs. Helm, Kowalske, and Bell to grow the Department.