31 May 2024

Dr. Paul Pasquina Honored as The Geneva Foundation’s 2022 Researcher of the Year

The Geneva Foundation proudly announces Dr. Paul Pasquina as the recipient of the 2022 Researcher of the Year Award. Dr. Pasquina, a distinguished expert in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, currently serves as the Professor and Inaugural Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the Uniformed Services University (USU) and the Chief of the Department of Rehabilitation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). In his 30+ year career, Dr. Pasquina has made a material impact to the Military Health System (MHS) while providing exceptional care to thousands of service members.

This accolade marks the ninth instance of Geneva’s Researcher of the Year Award. In recognition of his exceptional contributions and a lifetime dedicated to advancing medical research, Dr. Pasquina is honored with the “Founder’s Service Award,” a distinction akin to a lifetime achievement award.

Throughout his esteemed career in military medicine and research, Dr. Pasquina has garnered numerous awards, including the U.S. Army’s “A” Proficiency Designation for academic excellence, the Order of Military Medical Merit, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the da Vinci Lifetime Achievement Award, Partners in Progress Heroes of Military Medicine Award, Lewis Aspey Mologne Award, Alfred Mann Foundation Scientist of Year Award, Distinguished Clinician Award from the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Chapel of the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion Bronze, Honorary Fellow of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), and the AMSUS Lifetime Achievement Award.

In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Dr. Pasquina serves as the Principal Investigator for the USU Musculoskeletal Injury Rehabilitation Research for Operational Readiness (MIRROR) program and the USU Center for Rehabilitation Sciences Research (CRSR). He also functions as the Co-Principal Investigator for the USU Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative (MTBI2). These programs, spanning from benchtop to bedside, are dedicated to enhancing service member readiness and resilience by exploring innovative technologies for the recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration of extremity trauma, musculoskeletal conditions, and traumatic brain injury.

Dr. Pasquina’s commitment to advancing military medicine is evident in his extensive publication record, which includes over 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 35 book chapters, and 3 textbooks. His longstanding collaboration with Geneva, particularly through his co-leadership of the NCAA-DOD CARE Consortium and the establishment of the MIRROR program in 2018, has significantly advanced critical initiatives aimed at enhancing the health and safety of student-athletes and service members. His cutting-edge contributions in medical research have profoundly impacted lives globally, solidifying his well-deserved recognition as the Researcher of the Year Award recipient.

“I am very grateful to Geneva for selecting me for this award, and even more grateful to be able to work with the amazing research teams at Geneva, the Uniformed Services University, and across the Military Healthcare System, who arguably deserve this award more than me,” said Pasquina.  “It’s my hope that our research efforts will continue to improve the care of service members and their families, as well as help inform the next generation of clinical and research leaders within military medicine.”

Dr. Kent Kester, Chair of Geneva’s Scientific Advisory Board, stated, “Dr. Pasquina’s pioneering work in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation has set a new standard for excellence. His research has not only advanced medical science but has directly improved the lives of those who serve our nation.”

Elise Huszar, Geneva’s President and CEO, remarked, “Geneva is thrilled to recognize Dr. Pasquina as the 2022 Researcher of the Year. His relentless pursuit of innovative solutions in the realm of rehabilitation continues to have a profound impact on the military medical enterprise, our service members, and the broader civilian medical community.”