In 1993, Bob took over as Chief of Service at the VA and built PM&R there, contributing greatly to resident education, especially in EMG. He also directed the VA portion of the multidisciplinary pain fellowship housed in anesthesia. Bob’s research interests include electromyography, pain management and industrial/occupational rehabilitation. He has over 100 publications in peer reviewed journals and has been successful in receiving grant funding from several sources including NIH, CDC, NIOSH, UAW-GM Health and Safety, Johns Hopkins University Center for VDT and Health Research and the US Postal Service. Dr. Werner has received awards for research writing from the Association of Academic Physiatrists, the American Academy of PM&R and the American College Occupational and Environmental Medicine. He holds appointments not only in PM&R, but in the schools of Public Health and Engineering as well. Bob will still be around, doing a half day of EMG at the VA. He will also be golfing, riding his bike and fixing other bicycles, and playing with his grandchild. We wish Bob much success in his retirement, and thank him for his many years of service.
Dr. Lisa DiPonio, MD will succeed Bob as Service Chief of PM&R at the AAVAMC. Lisa is a graduate of Michigan and of Michigan’s PM&R residency program. She has had a prominent role in resident education, especially on the neuro consult service and in the EMG laboratory. She has also been a leader in the growth of the musculoskeletal curriculum in the medical school, giving lectures and helping to direct the clinical assessments. Lisa has published in the area of spinal cord industry, and is currently involved in research funded by the Department of Defense related to quality of life in SCI. She will continue to have a role in the EMG laboratory at Michigan Medicine as well. Please join me in congratulating her on this appointment, and wishing her much success in her new role.
