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Final Program


Preliminary Program

Session Proposal

Academic/Education

ISPRM Academic Forum

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT
Location: 107 & 108
Ideal Audience:Administrators, Physicians, Researchers, Residents/Fellows, Medical Students
Brief Session Description : We aim to understand the current global landscape of academic leadership in PRM, identify existing gaps, explore the importance of strong academic leadership for advancing the field of PRM and improving patient outcomes on a global scale, and recognise the roles of various stakeholders in promoting academic leadership and the collaborative efforts needed to effect change. In the subsequent lectures, we will examine the situation in different geographic regions and report on models for the development of academic PRM programs.

Timing Lecture title Speaker
5’ ISPRM Academic Forum: why there’s the need of advocate for Academic capacity building in PRM worldwide Francesca Gimigliano
10’ Advancing Academic capacity building in PRM in North America Gwendolyn Sowa
10’ Advancing Academic capacity building in PRM in LatinoAmerica Luz Helena Lugo
10’ Advancing Academic capacity building in PRM in Europe Xavier de Boissezon
10’ Advancing Academic capacity building in PRM in French Speaking African countries Abderazak Hajjioui
10’ Advancing Academic capacity building in PRM in English Speaking African countries Abena Tannor
10’ Advancing Academic capacity building in Asia-Oceania Region Fary Khan
10’ The importance of strenghtening Functioning Education in Academic Training Bhasker Amatya – ISPRM Distinguished Researcher Awardee 2026 – Senior
10’ Strenghtening Rehabilitation in the Health Systens (Vanessa please check the title) Vanessa Sejas - ISPRM Distinguished Researcher Awardee 2026 – Junio
35’ Panel discussion (all speakers) Discussant: Walter Frontera

Session Objectives:

  • The primary objective of this session is to address the need to strengthen academic capacity in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) worldwide. This is in light of the resolution on Strengthening Rehabilitation in Health Systems, which urges Member States "to develop strong multidisciplinary rehabilitation skills suitable to the country context, including for all relevant health workers;

    • to strengthen capacity for analysis and prognosis of workforce shortages;

    • to promote the development of initial and continuous training for professionals and staff working in rehabilitation services;

    • and to recognize and respond to different types of rehabilitation needs, such as those related to physical, mental, social, and vocational functioning, including the integration of rehabilitation in the early training of health professionals, so that rehabilitation needs can be identified at all levels of care."
  • CanMEDS: Medical Expert. Health Advocate. Scholar.