WVU Medicine bridges the gap between treatment and recovery

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – After injury or serious illness, recovery doesn't end when treatment is complete. At WVU Medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) specialists are helping patients rebuild strength, restore mobility, and return to the routines that define daily life. 

“Function is at the center of everything we do,” Megan Clark, M.D., a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, said. “No matter how a patient gets to us, our goal is to get them back to the activities and life that matter most to them.” 

PM&R physicians treat a broad spectrum of conditions, from chronic joint pain and sports injuries to stroke, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and limb loss. Care plans are highly individualized and can include a combination of therapies, medical management, and interventional procedures to improve mobility and reduce pain. 

Unlike many specialties that focus on a single organ or condition, PM&R takes a whole-person approach. Physicians often work closely with a team that may include physical, occupational, and speech therapists, as well as primary care providers and other specialists. 

“It’s truly a team-based model with the patient at the center,” Dr. Clark said. “The more we can collaborate, the better outcomes we can achieve.” 

In addition to treating existing conditions, WVU Medicine is expanding efforts to intervene earlier, working to prevent injuries before they occur. Programs focused on fall prevention and physical optimization aim to identify risks such as balance issues, decreased strength, or mobility limitations before they lead to more serious complications. 

“We want to find those opportunities to step in sooner,” Clark said. “If we can prevent a fall or keep someone active and independent longer, that’s a huge win." 

WVU Medicine is also growing specialized programs, including care for patients undergoing limb amputation. These programs provide support before and after surgery, guiding patients through recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration into daily life. 

“That journey looks different for every patient,” Clark said. “But the goal is always the same, to help them get back to being active members of their families and communities.” 

Better treatments mean more people are making it through strokes, serious injuries, and major illnesses than ever before. But surviving is only the first step, and PM&R specialists are focused on what comes next. 

“There are so many incredible treatments available today,” Clark said. “But the question becomes, what comes next? That’s where we step in, focusing on recovery, function, and their quality of life.” 

In the latest episode of the Live Healthy West Virginia podcast, “Turning ‘I Can’t'  into ‘I Can,'" Clark discusses how PM&R is transforming patient care and expanding access to specialized rehabilitation services. The episode is available on WVU Medicine’s YouTube channel and Spotify.  

For more information on WVU Medicine, visit WVUMedicine.org.