Amy Houtrow, MD, MPH, PhD, FAAPMR, Receives Frank H. Krusen, MD, Lifetime Achievement Award
August 26, 2025
Congratulations to Amy Houtrow, MD, MPH, PhD, FAAPMR, the 2025 recipient of the Frank H. Krusen, MD, Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Frank H. Krusen, MD, Lifetime Achievement Award was established by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) in 1972 to honor a founding father of the Academy who was a leader in the development of the specialty of PM&R. Dr. Krusen, the Academy’s fourth president, was the first recipient of the award that now bears his name.
The Krusen Award is the Academy’s highest honor, and recipients of the gold medallion are selected on the basis of their outstanding and unique contributions to the specialty.
Dr. Houtrow has received this award for her contributions to the field of PM&R in the areas of patient care, research, education, and administration. She will be honored at the AAPM&R Annual Assembly in Salt Lake City on Oct. 24, 2025.
About Dr. Houtrow
Dr. Houtrow is professor and endowed chair in the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine, where she currently serves as the vice chair for Quality and Safety.
Dr. Houtrow’s career focuses on optimizing the health, function, well-being, and belonging of children with disabilities. Her dedication and excellence have been recognized in the domains of clinical care, research, interdisciplinary education, programmatic development, advocacy, and service. Her research spans clinical outcomes to health services research for children with disabilities with an emphasis on access to care and health equity.
She has published approximately 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts, written numerous textbook chapters, and edits the premier pediatric rehabilitation medicine textbook for the field. She is a sought-after speaker nationally and internationally and has been a guest on several podcasts and news programs. Her work is often highlighted in the national media.
Beyond her contributions to science and discovery, Dr. Houtrow has provided testimony to Congress on the needs of individuals with disabilities, influenced national policy, served as an expert witness for the Department of Justice, helped create a national health policy scholars program, reviewed quality standards for Medicaid, and provided technical assistance to the Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
Read her full bio.
