David C. Morgenroth, MD
| Title: | Professor, Vice Chair for Research; Associate Fellowship Director, Amputation Rehabilitation Fellowship; Core Investigator, VA RR&D Center for Limb Loss and Mobility (CLiMB) |
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| Division: | General Physiatry, Research, VA RCS |
David Morgenroth grew up in New York City where he was also a sixth-grade teacher prior to his career in academic medicine. He has focused his career as a physician-scientist-educator on clinical care and research aimed at improving the functional quality of life for people with limb loss and other disabling conditions. Dr. Morgenroth’s research has been funded by the NIH, VA and Department of Defense. He has mentored numerous PM&R residents, fellows, PhD students and postdocs in Rehabilitation Science, Mechanical Engineering, and related subjects. In his leadership roles, he has led strategic planning in the UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and for the Association of Academic Physiatrists. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the Association of Academic Physiatrists, on the Advisory Board for the Rehabilitation Medicine Scientists Training Program, and on the Editorial Boards for the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics.
Education and Training
- University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, BS with honors, Human Biodynamics, 1996
- State University of New York at Brooklyn College of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY, MD, 2003
- Brown University Department of Internal Medicine, Providence, RI, Internship, Internal Medicine, 2004
- University of Washington Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seattle, WA, Residency, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2007
- University of Washington Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, NIH-funded (K12) Rehabilitation Scientist Training Program Research Fellowship, 2010
- Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP), Program for Academic Leadership, 2016
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Rising Leaders Leadership Development Program, 2022
Board Certifications
- American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Board Certification in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2008
Notable Awards
- 2009: Faculty Teacher of the Year, University of Washington, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
- 2015: Early Career Academician Award, Association of Academic Physiatrists
- 2018: 14th Annual Rehabilitation Institute Research Day Brenes Lectureship Visiting Professor, University of Pittsburgh
- 2020: Outstanding Service Award, Association of Academic Physiatrists
- 2022: Howard R. Thranhardt Lecture Award, American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.
- 2024: Honorary Lifetime Membership Award, American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.
Clinical Interests
- Amputation Rehabilitation
- Gait Biomechanics
- EMGs
Teaching Interests
Dr. Morgenroth is a dedicated educator on the topics of amputation rehabilitation, prosthetics, and gait biomechanics. In addition to teaching at the University of Washington, he has given many invited talks nationally and internationally. His teaching philosophy focuses on active rather than passive learning, understanding rather than memorization, and prioritizing inspiration and curiosity rather than knowledge transfer.
Research Interests
Dr. Morgenroth's research program is aimed at improving the mobility and quality of life of people with functional or anatomic limb loss. He has a background in gait biomechanics which he uses to study the underlying etiology, prevention, and treatments for secondary disabling musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., low back pain, intact limb knee osteoarthritis) that are highly prevalent after limb loss. He also leads research focused on personalized prosthetic prescription.