Sara Shahid Salles

Sara Shahid Salles, DO, is a Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Kentucky. She serves as Medical Director of the Spinal Cord Injury Unit at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital, Medical Director of the outpatient PM&R clinic, and Advanced Development Director for Medical Education. She joined the faculty in 2004 and holds affiliations with SCOBIRC and the College of Medicine.

Education: B.A. in Biology (St. Louis University, 199?), D.O. (Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences, 200?). Completed residency in PM&R at the University of Kentucky.

Research Interests: Focuses on neurorehabilitation, spinal cord injury medicine, spasticity management, and cancer rehabilitation. Active in clinical research, including studies on body composition in multiple sclerosis, fMRI in stroke recovery, and outcomes in posterior cerebral artery stroke. Serves on the department’s research committee and mentors students/residents in research.

Awards:

• Best Research Plan Award (2005)
• Teacher of the Year (2004, 2005, 2011, 2014)

Education & Mentorship: Chair of the Clinical Competency Committee, involved in PM&R residency training, and Osteopathic Director of Medical Education. Trains PA students, medical students, and interventional pain fellows. Active in residency recruitment and lectures.

Clinical Roles: Medical Director of post-acute care services at UK and manages movement disorders, including Deep Brain Stimulator care and burn rehabilitation.