Indiana University School of Medicine Program

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Analyst Verified · Sep 15, 2026

Indiana University School of Medicine Program

Indiana University School of Medicine Program is a residency program specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, directed by Nathan D. Prahlow, MD and coordinated by Aimee Brough. The program accepts applications through November 30, 2026 and holds an accreditation status of Continued. International Medical Graduates interested in this program may contact the program coordinator directly at [email protected] or 317-963-2011. IMGPrep analysts have verified and compiled this program’s IMG acceptance rate, USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 score requirements, Visa Sponsorship Policy, graduation year cutoff, and ECFMG certificate requirements — available to IMGPrep subscribers.

Program Identity & Fit

Indiana University's PM&R residency is the only physiatry program in the state, a university-based, four-year (PGY1-4) program built on a nearly 50-50 inpatient-outpatient split across major Indianapolis sites including the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, the Roudebush VA, IU Health hospitals and Eskenazi Health. The program emphasizes procedural depth through structured workshops (ultrasound, spasticity/botulinum toxin, fluoroscopic injection, cadaver, virtual reality anatomy) with particular strength in musculoskeletal medicine, brain injury, and pediatric rehabilitation, and residents are not used as clinical labor, reflecting a deliberate small-cohort (four residents/year), education-first model with 100% board pass and fellowship placement rates. Research infrastructure is substantial for a PM&R program, anchored by the Locomotor Recovery Center and active TBI, spinal cord injury, stroke, and MS research programs, alongside a distinctive Lifestyle Medicine curricular track (one of few PM&R-based LMRC programs nationally) offering ABLM-pathway board eligibility. The program appears to value residents seeking dedicated procedural training and subspecialty fellowship preparation within a protected, teaching-oriented learning environment rather than high-volume service-driven training.

Who it fits

An applicant pursuing PM&R with strong interest in musculoskeletal/procedural subspecialty training or brain injury/neurorehabilitation, who wants a small, protected academic program with a clear fellowship trajectory rather than a high-service community model.

Research intensity

Moderate - research infrastructure and neurorehabilitation research centers exist and are encouraged, particularly for interested residents, but the residency itself does not present research as a mandatory or central pillar.

Career orientation

Mixed - Fellowship, Academic Medicine

Important

The program states a preference that applicants complete a transitional or preliminary year (with defined rotation options) before starting PM&R at the PGY2 level.

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