70th Anniversary of the PM&R Residency Program

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.