Interventional Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine Research (INSPIRE) Program

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Mission Statement

The PM&R INSPIRE (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Interventional Spine & Musculoskeletal Research) program’s mission is to design and conduct outcomes research that innovates, evaluates, and improves the treatment of spine and musculoskeletal pain conditions.

Our team works diligently to maintain an impressive lineup of investigator-initiated research studies and sponsored clinical trials. In doing so, we affirm our commitment to improving lives by providing patients with evidence-based, state-of-the-art treatment options for spine and joint pain relief.

Interventional Pain & Spine Leadership in the Field

PM&R INSPIRE specialists are among the top experts in the field responsible for informing practice through education, research, and advocacy. Our faculty are represented on governing boards of multiple international organizations, including the Spine Intervention Society (SIS) and the North American Spine Society (NASS).

Meet the INSPIRE Team
View Our Team's Research Accolades
Picture of INSPIRE research faculty standing with equipment

Donors & Institutional Funds

Our team has played a direct role in the rapid expansion of the PM&R Department’s research capabilities and steady rise to prominence within the world-renowned University of Utah School of Medicine. Our continued growth is financially supported by generous donors, including recent gifts totaling more than $2 million from the Skaggs Foundation for Research, as well as research awards from various medical societies and federal funding agencies, such as the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, National Institutes of Health, and US Department of Defense.

PM&R Education & Mentorship

PM&R INSPIRE faculty are proud to help train the next generation of clinical scientists in the safe and effective diagnosis and treatment of spine and musculoskeletal pain conditions. Zachary McCormick, MD and Aaron Conger, DO are co-directors of the Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship and Taylor Burnham, DO, MSCI spearheads the PM&R Resident Research Didactic Educational Model. 

By providing strong mentorship and support, we equip all of our trainees with the knowledge and skillset to practice the highest standards of patient care and scientific advancement as they begin the next phase of their professional journey.

PM&R Interventional Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship
PM&R Residency

Research Partners & Collaborators

The PM&R INSPIRE team has advanced the treatment of spine and musculoskeletal pain conditions by spearheading collaborations with renowned peer institutions and industry leaders worldwide.

We actively drive interventional pain management innovation and outcomes research through a combination of investigator-initiated studies and sponsored clinical trials. Support for this work frequently stems from our network of internationally-recognized industry partners:

  • Avanos Medical Inc
  • Boston Scientific
  • Diros Medical
  • EpiMed International
  • Relievant Medsystems Inc
  • Saol Therapeutics
  • Spine BioPharma
  • SPR Therapeutics
  • Stratus Medical