Daniel I Rhon

Daniel I Rhon serves as a Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Uniformed Services University (USU) School of Medicine, based at San Antonio Military Medical Center, TX. His military career spans from enlisted USMC service through active duty in the Army Medical Specialist Corps, including deployment as Brigade Physical Therapist in Iraq during OIF.

Dr. Rhon's research focuses on musculoskeletal medicine and health services research targeting military-relevant conditions. Key areas include:

• Prevention and management of lower extremity injuries
• Back and neck pain interventions
• Opioid utilization patterns in orthopedic care
• Military-specific injury risk factors
• Telehealth implementation in rehabilitation

His work emphasizes practical applications within the Military Health System.

His recent publications reveal strong trends in military rehabilitation research, particularly analyzing healthcare utilization patterns, comparative treatment effectiveness for musculoskeletal conditions, and sex-specific outcomes in military populations. The body of work consistently addresses high-volume military health concerns through rigorous clinical trials and systematic reviews.

Scientific recognition includes:

• 2022 JOSPT Guy G. Simoneau Excellence in Research Award
• 2021 APTA Eugene Michaels New Investigator Award
• Multiple Rose Excellence in Research Awards
• 2020 Federal Physical Therapy Section Researcher of the Year
• 2015 COL Mary Lipscomb Hamrick Lifetime Research Award

As a military researcher, Dr. Rhon has secured significant research funding through military medical channels, with focus on operationalizing findings within the Military Health System. His work bridges clinical practice and policy implementation, particularly regarding injury prevention protocols and pain management strategies applicable to deployed settings.