Sandra Hearn

Sandra Hearn serves as Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Michigan Medical School, with additional leadership roles as Residency Program Director and Electrodiagnostic/Neuromuscular Medicine Education Lead. Board certified in PM&R and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, she joined Michigan Medicine in 2015 after completing residency training at Case Western Reserve University.

Her academic credentials include:

• AB, summa cum laude, Harvard College (2006)
• MD, Harvard Medical School (2010)
• PM&R Residency and Chief Resident, Case Western Reserve University (2014)
• Medical Education Scholars Program, Michigan Medicine (2017)
• RISE Fellowship in Innovation in Education (2022)

Dr. Hearn's research focuses on advancing electrodiagnostic strategies for peripheral nerve disorders through rigorous clinical investigation and educational innovation. She actively develops diagnostic protocols for nerve conduction studies and electromyography while creating national certification content for electrodiagnostic medicine. Her editorial role at Muscle & Nerve further establishes her leadership in neuromuscular diagnostics.

Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate her dual expertise in clinical electrodiagnostics and medical education, with studies on occupational nerve injuries, serial testing methodologies, and innovative resident training frameworks for interventional spine procedures and electrodiagnostic interpretation.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Surinderjit Singh Young Lectureship Award (2021)
• Scientific Impact Award from AANEM (2021)
• Gold Humanism Honor Society induction (Michigan Chapter, 2025)

As an educator, Dr. Hearn mentors residents through the PM&R program she directs, develops hands-on skills curricula including the Resident Interventional Spine Course, and leverages her RISE Fellowship-funded educational research to transform assessment methods. She serves on national committees for electrodiagnostic medicine certification and contributes to continuous professional development initiatives.

Within Michigan Medicine's PM&R department, Dr. Hearn leads the Electrodiagnostic and Neuromuscular Medicine section, integrating clinical service, research innovation, and educational excellence to advance the diagnosis and management of complex nerve and muscle disorders.