Essential Guide to Crafting Your PM&R Residency CV for Success

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) is a rapidly growing specialty that attracts applicants with diverse backgrounds—sports medicine enthusiasts, neuro-oriented students, engineers, athletes, musicians, and more. With increasing competitiveness in the physiatry match, a strategically crafted CV is one of your most powerful tools.

This guide walks you through how to build a strong, coherent, and PM&R-focused CV—from M1 through application season. You’ll find specialty-specific strategies, residency CV tips, concrete examples, and practical ways to elevate your profile even if you feel “late to the game.”

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Understanding the Purpose of Your PM&R Residency CV

Before focusing on formatting or wordsmithing, you need to understand what a PM&R residency CV is supposed to do.

What Program Directors Use Your CV For

Program directors, faculty, and selection committees use your CV to:

• Quickly understand who you are and where your interests lie
• Assess your trajectory: growth, consistency, and commitment
• Identify PM&R-specific engagement (rotations, electives, projects)
• Evaluate your professionalism and organization
• Find candidates who will thrive in their program’s culture and strengths (neurorehab, MSK, sports, pain, pediatrics, SCI, TBI, etc.)

They are not looking for perfection. They are looking for:

• Evidence of follow-through and longevity in activities
• Signs you understand what PM&R is (not confusing it with ortho or neurology)
• Experiences showing teamwork, communication, and adaptability
• Alignment between your experiences, personal statement, and letters

Your CV is less about “impressing” and more about building a coherent narrative: “Here is how I became genuinely invested in PM&R and prepared for residency.”

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Core Structure: What Belongs in a PM&R Residency CV

Your residency CV should be clear, conventional, and easy to skim. This is not the place to be creative with layouts or fonts. Think “professional academic document,” not “design portfolio.”

A typical PM&R residency CV structure:

1. Contact Information & Demographics
2. Education
3. USMLE/COMLEX Scores and Licensure (if included by your institution)
4. Clinical Experience / Medical School Rotations
5. Research & Scholarly Activity
6. Presentations & Posters
7. Publications
8. Leadership & Service
9. Work Experience
10. Honors & Awards
11. Teaching & Mentoring
12. Professional Memberships
13. Skills, Interests, and Languages

1. Contact Information & Demographics

Include:

• Full name (matching ERAS)
• Professional email
• Phone number
• City, state (address optional)
• AAMC ID (optional but useful)

Do not include:

• Photo (ERAS handles this)
• Marital status, age, religion, or other personal identifiers

Keep it clean and single-spaced at the top of page 1.

2. Education

List in reverse chronological order:

• Medical school: name, city, state, degree, expected graduation date
• Prior degrees: BS/BA, MS, PhD, MPH, etc.
• Undergraduate major/minor and honors (e.g., summa cum laude)

Example:

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
University of X School of Medicine, City, State
Expected May 2026

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering, magna cum laude
University of Y, City, State
May 2020

If you did a post-bac, SMP, or major career change, this is where to show your academic recovery and upward trajectory.

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Showcasing Clinical and PM&R-Relevant Experience

For PM&R residency, your clinical experiences are central to demonstrating genuine specialty interest.

3. Medical School Clinical Experience

You don’t need to list every core rotation in detail; programs see this in your transcript. Instead, highlight:

• Sub-internships (Sub-Is) and acting internships
• Electives—especially PM&R, neurology, orthopedics, sports med, rheumatology, pain, palliative, geriatrics, pediatrics, psychiatry, and EM
• Away rotations in PM&R (very important for physiatry match)

Suggested format:

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Sub-Internship
University of Z Department of PM&R, City, State
4th-Year Elective, August 2025

• Managed 4–6 inpatient rehab patients daily under supervision
• Participated in interdisciplinary team rounds and family meetings
• Performed focused MSK and neurologic physical exams
• Assisted with botulinum toxin and joint injection clinics

A few key residency CV tips here:

• Use action verbs and specific responsibilities, not vague phrases like “observed patient care”
• Highlight team-based care, functional outcomes, and patient-centered communication—core to PM&R
• Tie experiences to PM&R themes: neurorehab, MSK, pain, spasticity management, adaptive equipment, prosthetics/orthotics

4. Non-PM&R Clinical Experiences That Still Help

Connect the dots for reviewers:

• Neurology – stroke, TBI, neuromuscular disease
• Orthopedics – post-op rehab, MSK injuries
• Internal Medicine – managing comorbidities in rehab patients
• Pediatrics – CP, developmental delay, congenital disorders
• Psychiatry – mood, anxiety, adjustment to disability
• Emergency Medicine – acute injuries leading to later rehab

On your CV, your wording can subtly highlight PM&R relevance, even in non-PM&R rotations:

Instead of:

“Completed core neurology rotation.”

Use:

“Completed core neurology rotation with focused exposure to stroke, spinal cord pathology, and neuro exam skills relevant to inpatient rehabilitation.”

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Building a Scholarly Profile That Fits PM&R

You do not need a PhD or 10 publications to match in PM&R. However, you should aim to demonstrate intellectual curiosity and engagement with the specialty.

5. Research & Scholarly Activity

Include:

• PM&R research projects
• Quality improvement (QI) initiatives
• Case reports and clinical vignettes
• Educational projects (curriculum development, workshops)

Format example:

Research Assistant, PM&R Biomechanics Lab
Department of PM&R, University of X, City, State
2023–Present
Mentor: Dr. Jane Smith

• Analyzed gait patterns in post-stroke patients using motion capture
• Contributed to data collection and IRB protocol amendments
• Co-authored abstract accepted to AAPM&R Annual Assembly

If your research is not PM&R-specific, you can still make it relevant:

Clinical Research Assistant, Orthopedic Sports Medicine Clinic
2022–2023

• Collected outcomes data on ACL reconstruction patients
• Investigated functional recovery timelines and return-to-sport metrics

The key is to show:

• Experience with data and scientific thinking
• Ability to complete projects and work in teams
• Alignment with function, outcomes, or disability when possible

6. Publications, Posters, and Presentations

Separate these into clear sections:

• Peer-reviewed publications
• Abstracts and posters
• Oral presentations

Use standard citation formats (e.g., AMA), and be transparent about status:

• Published
• In press
• Accepted
• Submitted (clearly labeled as such)

For posters/presentations, include:

• Title
• Your authorship position
• Meeting name
• Location
• Date

Example:

Smith J, Patel R, YourLastName A, et al. Functional outcomes after inpatient rehabilitation in older adults following hip fracture. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2024;105(3):123–130.

YourLastName A, Lee K, Johnson M. Tele-rehabilitation for chronic low back pain: A pilot study. Poster presented at: AAPM&R Annual Assembly; New Orleans, LA; November 2024.

If you do not yet have publications, you can still showcase:

• Case presentations at your institution
• Regional or local poster sessions
• Educational talks for students or allied health staff

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Leadership, Service, and the “Human” Side of Your CV

Physiatry is deeply team-based and patient-centered. Programs value applicants who communicate well, support others, and show long-term commitments.

7. Leadership and Service Activities

Include roles that show you can:

• Lead teams or projects
• Advocate for patients or disability rights
• Collaborate across disciplines
• Commit consistently over time

Examples particularly strong for PM&R residency:

• Founder or officer in a PM&R Interest Group
• Leader in adaptive sports, Special Olympics, or para-athletics
• Volunteer at stroke, SCI, amputee, or TBI support groups
• Involvement in disability advocacy, accessibility, or inclusive design
• Roles in student wellness or peer support (relevant to caring, empathetic practice)

Format:

President, PM&R Interest Group
University of X School of Medicine
2023–2024

• Organized monthly lectures with physiatrists and therapists
• Coordinated hands-on workshops in wheelchair skills and prosthetics
• Developed a mentorship program pairing students with PM&R residents

Avoid listing every one-day event you attended. Instead, prioritize:

• Multi-month or multi-year roles
• Activities where you had defined responsibilities and impact

8. Work Experience

Program directors know that many applicants have complex paths: personal, financial, or career-related.

Relevant work experiences can include:

• Physical therapy aide or rehab tech
• Athletic trainer or strength/conditioning coach
• Engineer or product designer related to assistive technology
• Scribe (especially in ortho, neuro, sports, or pain clinics)
• Teaching, tutoring, or coaching roles

Example:

Physical Therapy Aide
ABC Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic, City, State
2018–2020

• Assisted PTs with patient transfers and therapeutic exercises
• Gained early exposure to functional goal setting and rehab teamwork

This kind of background often resonates strongly in PM&R, where understanding function and therapy is central.

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How to Build a Strong CV for PM&R from Each Stage of Training

Whether you’re an M1 or already in your application year, you can move the needle on your PM&R residency competitiveness with a targeted strategy.

For Preclinical Students (M1–M2)

Focus on foundation and exploration:

• Join or found a PM&R Interest Group
• Shadow physiatrists in diverse settings (inpatient rehab, outpatient MSK, pain clinics, EMG labs)
• Volunteer in community programs involving disability or adaptive sports
• Seek early involvement in small research projects (case reports, chart reviews)

On your CV, these experiences will show early and consistent engagement with physiatry.

For Clinical Students (M3–Early M4)

Focus on depth and specialty clarity:

• Schedule at least one home PM&R elective and consider 1–2 away rotations (depending on your situation and current trends)
• Identify a PM&R mentor for research, letters, and career advising
• Present at local or national meetings (AAPM&R, AAP, AAPMR medical student forums)
• Gain experience that ties to PM&R (neuro, ortho, sports, geriatrics, pediatrics)

Document on your CV with clear timeframes and responsibilities. Highlight:

• Interdisciplinary team interactions
• Counseling or goal-setting with patients and families
• Any quality improvement projects or clinic workflow improvements

For Late Starters or Career-Changers

If you discovered PM&R late:

• Emphasize transferable skills: communication, sports/athletics, engineering, psychology, chronic disease management
• Show a clear pivot: PM&R rotations, shadowing, new projects or volunteering
• Use your personal statement and CV descriptions to connect prior experiences to functional outcomes, adaptation, and rehabilitation

Program directors appreciate clarity and honesty. A late but well-explained and well-documented interest in PM&R is far better than an unfocused application.

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Presentation, Formatting, and Common Pitfalls

You might have strong experiences but lose impact through disorganized presentation. A polished CV reflects professionalism.

Formatting Essentials

• Length: 2–4 pages is typical for a medical student CV
• Font: Simple and readable (e.g., 11–12 pt Times New Roman, Calibri)
• Consistency: Same date format, same bullet style, same tense
• Order: Reverse chronological within sections
• File name: LastName_FirstName_CV_PM&R_Residency.pdf

Use clear section headings and white space so busy faculty can skim quickly.

Content Prioritization

Order and emphasis should reflect your strengths and PM&R focus:

• Strong research? Move Research & Publications higher.
• Strong leadership and sports/adaptive experience? Highlight those prominently.
• Extensive PM&R involvement? Consider a subsection: PM&R-Specific Experiences under Clinical or Extracurricular.

How Not to Write Bullets

Weak:

• Helped with research
• Volunteered with disabled patients
• Interested in rehab

Stronger:

• Collected and analyzed outcome measures (FIM scores) for 80+ inpatient rehab patients post-stroke
• Co-led weekly adaptive sports sessions for adults with spinal cord injuries, focusing on community reintegration and confidence building
• Developed and delivered a 30-minute teaching module on functional assessments for M2 students

Common PM&R CV Mistakes

• No evidence of understanding PM&R
  • No PM&R elective, no shadowing, no disability-related activities
• Overloaded with unrelated activities
  • Many short, disconnected one-off events crowding out meaningful experiences
• Unclear timelines
  • Missing dates or overlapping roles without explanation
• Exaggeration or vagueness
  • Inflated responsibilities, ambiguous titles, or unverifiable contributions
• Not aligning with the rest of the application
  • CV says one thing, personal statement says another, letters reference something else entirely

Your CV should be truthful, focused, and strategically ordered.

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Practical Action Plan: Step-by-Step CV Building for PM&R

Here is a practical roadmap on how to build a CV for residency in PM&R, broken into concrete steps.

Step 1: Create a Living Document Early

• Start a CV document in M1 and update it every few months
• Keep a running list of:
  • Activities and roles
  • Dates (start/end)
  • Mentors and supervisors
  • Outcome metrics (e.g., number of students taught, patients served, sessions organized)

This prevents rushed “reconstruction” later and improves accuracy.

Step 2: Identify Your PM&R Narrative

Ask yourself:

• What first drew me to function, disability, or rehabilitation?
• What experiences most influenced my decision to pursue PM&R?
• How do my research, volunteering, and leadership reflect that?

Then, ensure your CV foregrounds the experiences that answer those questions.

Step 3: Fill Gaps Strategically

If you notice gaps:

• No PM&R research?
  • Ask a PM&R faculty member about case reports, QI, or chart reviews.
• No exposure to disability?
  • Get involved with adaptive sports, rehab support groups, or disability resource centers.
• Minimal leadership?
  • Take on a defined role in an existing group rather than starting something new too late (e.g., event coordinator, project lead).

Even 6–12 months of consistent involvement can significantly strengthen your physiatry match profile.

Step 4: Get Feedback from PM&R Mentors

Ask at least one physiatrist or PM&R resident to review your CV:

• “Does this reflect my interest in PM&R clearly?”
• “Are there activities I should emphasize or explain differently?”
• “Is anything missing that PM&R programs particularly value?”

Mentors can provide specialty-specific insights you won’t get from generic CV advice.

Step 5: Align CV, Personal Statement, and Letters

Your:

• CV
• Personal statement
• Letters of recommendation

…should all tell compatible versions of the same story. Not identical, but aligned.

Example alignment:

• CV: lists adaptive sports volunteering, SCI research, PM&R elective
• Personal statement: focuses on experiences with spinal cord injury patients and function-based care
• Letters: from physiatrists who know your work with SCI patients and teams

When all these elements reinforce each other, your application becomes memorable and convincing.

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FAQs: PM&R Residency CV Questions

1. Do I need PM&R research to match into PM&R?

No, PM&R research is not strictly required to match, but some scholarly activity is strongly preferred in competitive cycles. Many successful applicants have:

• Case reports or clinical vignettes
• QI projects in rehab or related fields
• Research in neuro, ortho, sports medicine, or pain

If your research is outside PM&R, frame your description to highlight functional outcomes, patient-centered care, or interdisciplinary teamwork where possible.

2. How many pages is too many for a PM&R residency CV?

For most medical students, 2–4 pages is appropriate. More than that is usually unnecessary unless you have extensive prior careers or graduate-level work. If you reach 5+ pages:

• Remove minor or short-term activities
• Combine similar roles
• Focus on depth and relevance, not sheer quantity

3. I discovered PM&R late. How can I still build a competitive CV?

Focus on:

• At least one dedicated PM&R elective or away rotation
• Targeted experiences with disability, chronic illness, or adaptive sports
• Quick but meaningful scholarly work—case reports, brief projects, or educational activities
• Clear, honest narrative in your personal statement tying prior experiences (e.g., sports, engineering, psychology) to PM&R values

Many successful physiatrists discovered PM&R late; programs care more about authenticity and follow-through than early discovery alone.

4. Should I include non-medical hobbies and interests?

Yes, but briefly. A short “Interests” section can humanize you and offer interview talking points, particularly if relevant to physiatry (e.g., endurance sports, music performance, adaptive coaching, design, engineering). Keep it concise:

Interests: Distance running, wheelchair basketball volunteering, digital illustration, classical piano

Avoid controversial topics and exaggerated claims.

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A strong PM&R residency CV is more than a list of activities; it is a structured, honest, and strategically organized reflection of your journey toward physiatry. By highlighting PM&R-relevant experiences, demonstrating consistent growth, and aligning your CV with your broader application, you position yourself as a thoughtful, prepared, and mission-aligned future physiatrist.