Joel Press Cycles Across United States
NASS Past President Joel Press, MD, rode across America this summer on a 10-week cycling adventure to raise research funds and draw attention to issues surrounding PM&R patient care. Along the way, he visited rehabilitation centers and sports venues to raise awareness about (1) the role PM&R plays in improving function and quality of life for patients, and (2) Medicare coverage gaps for inpatient rehab.
Dr. Press was joined on his 3,861-mile “Ride for Rehab” by other avid cyclists including NASS board members Jerome Schofferman, MD, and Heidi Prather, DO. Dr. Schofferman rode with Dr. Press the first week from San Francisco through California and into Nevada. Dr. Prather joined him for a week in July across Missouri. Other NASS members who rode for the cause include Venu Akuthota, MD, Sonja Stilp, MD, William Sullivan, MD and Marla Kaufman, MD, who pedaled through the Rockies in their home state of Colorado. Claude Borowsky, MD, met Dr. Press in Massachusetts toward the end of his tour in August. Joining him during other stages of the itinerary were Dr. Press’s son, Aaron, and several other spine & sports specialist colleagues.
Dr. Press is Director of the Spine and Sports Institute of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) and served as president of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR) from 2006 to 2007. He served as president of NASS from 2005 to 2006.