Physiatrists: Doctors Getting Rehab Patients Home Sooner, More Safely

August 2, 2017

Dr. Steve Gnatz, MD, MHA, Chief Medical Officer of Integrated Rehab Consultants (IRC) joins eHealth Radio and the Health Care, Health News & Rehab Channels. IRC provides rehabilitation physicians (also called physiatrists) to more than 300 skilled nursing facilities across the country to improve patient care and get rehab patients home sooner.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Dr. Steve Gnatz discuss the following:

You are a physiatrist and Past President of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Can you please tell us what a physiatrist is?
In terms of rehab, your group, Integrated Rehab Consultants, provides an interesting service. Can you please explain?
Why is physiatry in skilled nursing facilities so hot right now?
How do physiatrists make patient care better in skilled nursing facilities?
Should patients going into rehab after something like a stroke or orthopedic surgery look for a facility with a physiatrist?

Steve M. Gnatz, M.D., M.H.A., is the Chief Medical Officer for Integrated Rehab Consultants, a nationwide group of physiatrists practicing sub-acute rehabilitation. He holds a faculty appointment as Professor in the department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois.

Dr. Gnatz served as Medical Director of PM&R at Loyola between 2004 and 2014. Prior to that, he was Medical Director and EVP for Medical Services at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. He also previously held the position of Medical Director of the Howard A. Rusk Rehabilitation Center in Columbia, Missouri. At the University of Missouri, he was Professor and Chair of Clinical Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) between 1996 and 2001.

Dr. Gnatz received his medical degree (MD) from the University of Illinois and completed his residency in PM&R at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He received a master’s degree in health administration (MHA) from the University of Missouri.

He has authored many peer-reviewed articles and the well-regarded book EMG Basics. An avid lecturer, his CV lists over 100 presentations to audiences of all types on a wide variety of topics.

Dr Gnatz remains very active in organized medicine, currently holding the position of President of the US Bone and Joint Initiative – the US National Action Network sanctioned by the World Health Organization – with the goal of minimizing the burden of musculoskeletal disorders in America. He is also Past President of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2005-2006) and has held many other leadership positions in professional associations.