In this episode of The Summary, we welcome Dr. Casey Madura, section chief of pediatric neurosurgery at Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Dr. Madura shares his expertise about neurosurgical treatments for spasticity in children and adults. He focuses on selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) and other emerging surgical options.

Together, they break down why and when spasticity is treated. They also discuss how SDR works, and why early intervention—combined with intensive rehabilitation—can reduce pain, improve mobility and limit future orthopedic surgeries. Dr. Madura explains patient selection and ideal timing. He also emphasizes the crucial role family commitment plays in long-term outcomes.

The conversation explores alternatives like baclofen pumps, palliative dorsal and ventral rhizotomies and peripheral neurotomies—highlighting the benefits, limitations and decisions behind each approach.

Guest

Casey Madura, M.D. Pediatric Neurosurgeon, Corewell Health

Dr. Casey Madura is a pediatric neurosurgeon and section chief at Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and his medical degree from the University of Michigan. He completed his neurosurgery residency at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and his pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Alabama.

His work centers on developing a comprehensive surgical epilepsy program and expanding advanced surgical options for children with severe spasticity.

About The SumMARY

The SumMARY Podcast, where we explore the complexities of physical medicine and rehabilitation, one topic at a time. Hosted by Dr. Yunna Sinskey and Dr. Doug Henry, we “sum up” the latest insights, innovations, and practices in PM&R, featuring conversations with leading physicians and health care innovators.

Connect with us on The SumMARY Podcast social media channels or visit our web page.

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Abena Tannor—a leading physiatrist, sports and exercise rehabilitation physician and global health expert. Dr. Tannor shares her powerful journey as Ghana’s first PM&R and sports, exercise and rehabilitation medicine physician. She’s a dedicated trailblazer who’s shaping the future of rehabilitation care in her country every day.

As a World Health Organization rehabilitation consultant and member of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Dr. Tannor offers a look at the realities of building a PM&R Residency Program in Ghana from the ground up. She candidly discusses the challenges of grassroots program development and navigating socioeconomic barriers within the health care system.

Dr. Tannor paints a vivid picture of Ghana’s medical landscape—addressing stigma surrounding individuals with disabilities, the current state of access to rehabilitation services and the critical need for sustainable rehab infrastructure. She shares what keeps her motivated on the hardest days and her hopeful vision for the future of physiatry and rehabilitation in Ghana.

This inspiring conversation highlights resilience, leadership and the power of rehabilitation to restore dignity, function and hope.

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The SumMARY

Welcome to The SumMARY Podcast, where we explore the complexities of physical medicine and rehabilitation, one topic at a time. Hosted by Dr. Yunna Sinskey and Dr. Doug Henry, we “sum up” the latest insights, innovations, and practices in PM&R, featuring conversations with leading physicians and healthcare innovators.

Dr. Sinskey earned her medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed and further specialized with an amputee fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Dr. Henry is triple board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatrics, and pediatric rehabilitation medicine. He joined Mary Free Bed in 2019 after serving at Cleveland Clinic, where he became an expert in managing pediatric chronic pain conditions.

The SumMARY is brought to you by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, the nation’s largest non-profit rehabilitation system.

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Jean Woo from Baylor College of Medicine and Dr. Bei Zhang from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center—two leading physiatrists and brain injury specialists—as they take us inside the complex world of disorders of consciousness (DoC).

They break down how clinicians identify and support patients across the DoC spectrum, from coma and unresponsive wakefulness to minimally conscious states. Through tools like the Coma Recovery Scale–Revised (CRS-R), detailed bedside observation and personally meaningful stimuli, they show how even the smallest responses can reveal unexpected awareness.

Drs. Woo and Zhang emphasize a powerful principle: always assume patients can hear, see and understand, even when they don’t appear to be conscious at all. They also dig into barriers to rehabilitation access and close the episode with a thoughtful exploration of the “disability paradox.”

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The SumMARY

Welcome to The SumMARY Podcast, where we explore the complexities of physical medicine and rehabilitation, one topic at a time. Hosted by Dr. Yunna Sinskey and Dr. Doug Henry, we “sum up” the latest insights, innovations, and practices in PM&R, featuring conversations with leading physicians and healthcare innovators.

Dr. Sinskey earned her medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed and further specialized with an amputee fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Dr. Henry is triple board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatrics, and pediatric rehabilitation medicine. He joined Mary Free Bed in 2019 after serving at Cleveland Clinic, where he became an expert in managing pediatric chronic pain conditions.

The SumMARY is brought to you by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, the nation’s largest non-profit rehabilitation system.

In this episode, we welcome Holly Banninga, director of inpatient access at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, and Dr. Christopher Rizik, medical director of inpatient access. Together, they bring two unique perspectives: Dr. Rizik provides the patient-facing perspective, while Holly gets candid about what goes on behind the scenes when coordinating patient care.

Together they break down how physiatry consult services bridge the gap between acute care hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation. From the vital role of physician liaisons to Mary Free Bed’s commitment to taking patients regardless of insurance and partnering across different health systems, this conversation highlights the importance of a team-forward approach to getting patients the care they need.

Learn how consults go beyond discharge planning. Early involvement, strong relationships and collaboration across disciplines can change the course of a patient’s recovery.

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The SumMARY

Welcome to The SumMARY Podcast, where we explore the complexities of physical medicine and rehabilitation, one topic at a time. Hosted by Dr. Yunna Sinskey and Dr. Doug Henry, we “sum up” the latest insights, innovations, and practices in PM&R, featuring conversations with leading physicians and healthcare innovators.

Dr. Sinskey earned her medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed and further specialized with an amputee fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Dr. Henry is triple board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatrics, and pediatric rehabilitation medicine. He joined Mary Free Bed in 2019 after serving at Cleveland Clinic, where he became an expert in managing pediatric chronic pain conditions.

The SumMARY is brought to you by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, the nation’s largest non-profit rehabilitation system.

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Micheal Andary, residency program director at Michigan State University Sparrow, and Dr. Adam Lamm, program director and designated institutional official at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.

With Dr. Andary bringing more than three decades of perspective and Dr. Lamm adding the lens of a newer program director, the conversation covers evolving challenges—and rewards—of leading residency training. From shifting accreditation requirements to the reality of burnout, they share candid reflections on what it takes to balance responsibility, resilience, and resident success.

Whether you’re considering a leadership role in medical education or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode pulls back the curtain on the life of a program director.

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The SumMARY

Welcome to The SumMARY Podcast, where we explore the complexities of physical medicine and rehabilitation, one topic at a time. Hosted by Dr. Yunna Sinskey and Dr. Doug Henry, we “sum up” the latest insights, innovations, and practices in PM&R, featuring conversations with leading physicians and healthcare innovators.

Dr. Sinskey earned her medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed and further specialized with an amputee fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Dr. Henry is triple board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatrics, and pediatric rehabilitation medicine. He joined Mary Free Bed in 2019 after serving at Cleveland Clinic, where he became an expert in managing pediatric chronic pain conditions.

The SumMARY is brought to you by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, the nation’s largest non-profit rehabilitation system.

What is it like when a physician has a serious illness – how does it affect them, and how does it affect the care they give patients? In this special episode of The SumMARY, Dr. Yunna Sinskey opens up to Dr. Doug Henry about her personal journey with stage 3 rectal cancer. She discusses her initial diagnosis and the tough reality of life after treatment, all while sharing honest insights on physical exhaustion and the mental toll of PTSD. Learn how her personal experience has shaped the way she connects with patients who are adjusting to their own diagnoses. This episode is about resilience, healing and the importance of giving patients the time and care they truly need.

Read Dr. Sinskey’s story in here own words here.

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The SumMARY

Welcome to The SumMARY Podcast, where we explore the complexities of physical medicine and rehabilitation, one topic at a time. Hosted by Dr. Yunna Sinskey and Dr. Doug Henry, we “sum up” the latest insights, innovations, and practices in PM&R, featuring conversations with leading physicians and healthcare innovators.

Dr. Sinskey earned her medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed and further specialized with an amputee fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Dr. Henry is triple board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatrics, and pediatric rehabilitation medicine. He joined Mary Free Bed in 2019 after serving at Cleveland Clinic, where he became an expert in managing pediatric chronic pain conditions.

The SumMARY is brought to you by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, the nation’s largest non-profit rehabilitation system.

Cancer rehabilitation is an evolving field that plays a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes across the cancer care continuum. The topic is deeply personal for host Dr. Sinskey. In this episode, Dr. Sinskey and Dr. Henry speak with Dr. Sean Smith, medical director of Michigan Medicine’s Cancer Rehabilitation Program, about key cancer rehab topics including prehabilitation, integrating rehabilitation into oncology care, and emerging care models that support function.

Guest

Sean Smith, M.D. Physiatrist, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan Health

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The SumMARY is brought to you by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, the nation's largest non-profit rehabilitation system.

When it comes to prosthetics, “the right fit” is about finding the right plan, the right timing, and the right team. In this episode, Dr. Yunna Sinskey and Dr. Doug Henry sit down with amputation rehabilitation expert, Dr. Rebecca Speckman, physiatrist, University of Washington and VA Puget Sound Health Care System, to discuss the physiatrist’s role in amputee care, and the latest advancements in prosthetics and treatments.

Join the Conversation: Complex care. Better outcomes.

Amputee care isn’t one-size-fits-all—and neither are the decisions that come with it. How do you navigate these moments with your patients and care teams? We’d love to hear your perspective.

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Guest

Rebecca Speckman, M.D. PhD.

Physiatrist, University of Washington and VA Puget Sound Health Care System

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by Dr. Speckman in this episode are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of her employer or any affiliated organizations. Her participation in this podcast is in a personal capacity and does not represent official positions or endorsements.