Grand Rounds Seminar

Abstract: Despite multiple medical treatments for spasticity, most patients with disabling spasticity are not optimally treated. The reasons are multifactorial. Lack of provider training, clinical trials, and understanding of the basic pathophysiology are a few of the reasons for this unmet need. Most clinical trials involve individual treatments even though patients with generalized spasticity frequently require a combination of treatments to manage their problematic spasticity.  Collaborative research between basic scientists and clinicians can improve our understanding of pathophysiology and how to optimize individual and combined treatments for disabling spasticity. 

About: Dr. John McGuire, MD is a professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). He received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota, completed his residency at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC)/Northwestern University and completed his fellowship at RIC in Stroke Rehabilitation. He is the primary physician scientist within the PMR department at MCW. He has secured more than six million dollars of funding from prominent sources such as industry partners, the NIH and the NSF for innovative research in spasticity treatments and stroke rehabilitation. His research has focused on improving patient’s quality of life and advancing the overall understanding of rehabilitation strategies for those affected by stroke and spasticity.

About: Kyle Covington, President of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), will deliver an interactive presentation providing an update on the physical therapy profession. The session will include insights into current trends, challenges, and opportunities facing the field, followed by a Q&A discussion with faculty, staff, and students to encourage engagement and dialogue.

May 13, 2026: John R. McGuire, MD
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Professor, Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin

May 20, 2026: Kyle Covington, PT, DPT, PhD
President, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Associate Professor & Director of Education Innovation and Director of Postprofessional Education for Duke University's DPT Program 
Director of Duke's DPT's Faculty Development Residency Program