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University of Utah Health Announces New Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

David Steinberg

University of Utah Health announces David P. Steinberg, M.D., as the new chief of the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and Executive Medical Director of the new Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital, which is set to be completed in late 2019.

A graduate of Harvard College and the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Steinberg comes most recently from St. Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he has served as medical director of rehabilitation services since 2001. In this role, he was instrumental in opening new patient towers and a new rehabilitation unit in 2007. Under his leadership, the rehabilitation unit grew to impressive status, achieving 99th percentile in patient satisfaction. Steinberg served in numerous leadership roles for SJMHS including Vice Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine, Section Head of PM&R, and Chief of Staff and led many care improvement and engagement initiatives.

"As we will soon be opening a state-of-the art rehabilitation hospital at University of Utah Health, our search for its executive medical director included a focus around innovative ideas and cutting-edge practices," said A. Lorris Betz, M.D., Ph.D., interim executive dean of the U's School of Medicine, senior vice president for health sciences and CEO of University of Utah Health. "Dr. Steinberg's experience is a perfect fit for this role within our new hospital."

Along with his successful clinical practice in neurorehabilitation and pain management, Steinberg advanced St. Joe's educational mission serving as clinical faculty, lecturer, and mentor, as well as serving as site residency director for the University of Michigan's PM&R Department.

"I am excited to join the University of Utah and this team of incredible rehabilitation professionals," said Steinberg. "The University of Utah has a unique commitment to collaboration and an integrated structure that promotes a remarkable environment for achieving its missions in education, research, and clinical care. Thanks to the vision and extraordinary gift from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation to create this innovative, beautiful hospital which will greatly enhance the breadth of rehabilitation services we will be able to provide. I look forward to this unprecedented opportunity to join a great team in Utah committed to improving rehabilitation care across the state, region, and even nation."

Steinberg will be replacing Richard W. Kendall, DO, who is looking forward to returning to faculty and his focus on both clinical and research endeavors.

Steinberg will join the faculty at University of Utah Health in October.