Board of Directors nominees
2025 Nominees
AACPDM Board of Directors
Second Vice President: Joline Brandenburg, MD
Joline E. Brandenburg, M.D., is chair of the Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Director of the Cerebral Palsy and Spina Bifida Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Brandenburg joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 2008 and holds the academic rank of Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Associate Professor of Pediatrics.
Dr. Brandenburg earned her B.S. in biology at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, and her M.D. at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor. She completed her Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, followed by a fellowship in Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul.
Dr. Brandenburg’s research interests center on understanding muscle and spinal motor neuron properties in disorders such as cerebral palsy. Her KL2 clinical research investigated muscle properties in children with cerebral palsy using of a novel ultrasound technology, ultrasound elastography. Her more recent work involves understanding the mechanisms and role of spinal motor neurons in cerebral palsy. She also serves as the Mayo Clinic Principal Investigator for the Cerebral Palsy Research Network.
In addition to her clinical and research activities, Dr. Brandenburg serves on multiple committees within Mayo Clinic including the Pediatric Hospital Practice Committee, Rehabilitation Unit Steering Committee, and Institutional Review Board. Dr. Brandenburg is a member of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Development Medicine since 2008 and currently is in her last year serving as treasurer (2021-2025). She previously served on the Research Committee (2012-2017), chair of the Research Committee (2015-2016) and has been a Director at Large (2017-2020). She was the AACPDM Scientific Committee co-chair for the 2020 Annual Meeting (yes, during COVID). In addition, she led the Neuromotor Workgroup for the NINDS CP Common Data Elements (CDE) project, later serving on the NINDS CP CDE Oversight Committee, including as chair from 2020-2024. She is a member of the American Academy for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Association of Academic Physiatrists. She has been active in both organizations and currently serves on the AAPMR BOLD Steering Committee.
Director at Large: Unoma Akamagwuna, MD
Dr. Unoma Akamagwuna is a quadruple-boarded physician in Pediatrics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, and Brain Injury Medicine. She received her bachelor’s degree from Xavier University of Louisiana and her medical degree from The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She completed her combined residency training in Pediatrics and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado.
Dr. Akamagwuna currently practices as a Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine physician at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital, where she co-directs both the multidisciplinary Spina Bifida Clinic and directs the Spinal Cord Injury Clinic. She also provides comprehensive care for children with a range of developmental disabilities, including cerebral palsy. She has led quality improvement initiatives aimed at improving care coordination, patient outcomes and satisfaction. She is actively involved in the development of pediatric cardiac rehabilitation programming and has completed a Master Teacher Fellowship to enhance her skills in medical education, leadership development, and faculty mentorship. She additionally is part of the distinguished Program for Academic Leadership through the Association for Academic Physiatrists.
Dr. Akamagwuna is passionate about advancing health equity, interdisciplinary care, and trainee education. She is a dedicated member of the AACPDM community and has served in both active membership and leadership roles on the Lifespan Committee and is a dedicated voice for advancing the Academy’s mission.
Director at Large: Robert Kay, MD
Robert (Bob) Kay, MD has been an active member of AACPDM for over 25 years, including serving as Program Chair for the Annual Meeting in Atlanta, with additional service on the Program Committee and the Development Committee. He recognizes the importance that AACPDM plays in the lives of the patients, families and communities we serve.
Dr. Kay serves as Division Chief of Orthopedic Surgery and Medical Director of the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Prior to being named Division Chief in 2021, Dr. Kay was Vice Chief of the Autry Orthopedic Center for 12 years. He also served as Chief of the Medical Staff at CHLA from 2009 to 2011.
Dr. Kay earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard College and medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of California, Los Angeles and a pediatric orthopaedic fellowship at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite Hospital.
Dr. Kay has worked at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles since 1997, at which time he joined the faculty of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, where he has been a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery for over 15 years.
Dr. Kay has published more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and 25 book chapters. In addition to AACPDM, Dr. Kay is active in other organizations including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, European Pediatric Orthopaedic Society, and the Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society. He serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics and was on the Board of Directors for the Committee for Motion Laboratory Accreditation from 2015-2022.