70th Anniversary of the PM&R Residency Program
Celebrate with us!
This year, we will hold a series of events to honor the legacy, achievements, and impact of our program while bringing together past and present residents, faculty, and staff to reflect on our history and look toward the future.
Residency Program History
Our department has a rich legacy dating back to the early 20th century. Physical therapy at the University of Minnesota began in the 1920s, growing in response to the 1931 polio epidemic and the pioneering efforts of Dr. Miland Knapp.
The program evolved rapidly, with the first certificate course for physical therapists launching in 1941. By 1946, the Division of Physical Medicine was established, incorporating physical therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation. Recognized as a critical and expanding specialty, the first undergraduate physical therapy degree was awarded in 1947, followed by an occupational therapy program in 1948.
In 1952, PM&R became an independent department (The Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation), and two years later, the residency program earned accreditation. The department continued to grow, establishing a federally funded Research and Training Center in 1961 and opening the Children’s Rehabilitation Center in 1964, a groundbreaking facility designed for both children and adults.
By the 1970s and 1980s, the department had become a premier national training center for physical medicine and rehabilitation. Today, it continues to lead the field, offering advanced education, clinical care, and research programs that shape the future of rehabilitation medicine.
Kottke and Humphrey were friends before Humphrey became the mayor of Minneapolis. As mayor, Humphrey had commissioned for employment of the handicapped. Dr. Kottke, a professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Minnesota, helped to establish the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party in Minnesota. Dr. Kottke’s living room was used to plan Hubert Humphrey’s campaign and political career.
The Department received Baruch Foundation support until 1951. A two-pronged approach, both clinical and research, was advocated for the PM&R field. In response to that philosophy, Dr. Kottke, as clinician, and William G. Kubicek, PhD physiology and physical chemistry, became members of the Department.
The Center included 40 beds and was the first to include children. Stays were anticipated to last 2-3 months. The design was innovative for the time; including areas for meals, socializing, play, PT, OT, and clinical research. It was entirely wheelchair accessible, including modifications to facilitate the independence of those with disabilities, e.g. “wing blade” controls for faucets, light switches at WC height, no doorsills, no carpeting, sliding doors, lowered sinks, no curbs at the public entrance and classrooms for pediatric inpatients.
The unit is still open today for Adult Acute care and resident training.
Event Photos
Have photos from the 70th Anniversary Events? We'd love to feature them! Please email any photos you'd like to share to Molly Costa at [email protected].
Upcoming Events
Culminating Anniversary Celebration
This will be the final event of the anniversary series. Thank you for celebrating with us!
Date: Thursday, August 22nd, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: McNamara Alumni Center, University Hall
Address: 200 SE Oak Street, Minneapolis MN, 55455
RSVP no later than August 15th.
*Each attendee is welcome to bring ONE additional guest. Please include them on your RSVP.
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