The Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) honored the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of PM&R Associate Professor Berdale S. Colorado, D.O., MPH with the 2025 AAP Early Career Academician Award. This award honors an academic physiatrist who has demonstrated outstanding performance in the areas of teaching, research, and/or administration.
The Association of Academic Physiatrists is an organization of physiatry professionals who are dedicated to improving patient care by advancing the specialty through research and education. Dr. Colorado serves on the Governance Committee for AAP. He is a regular presenter and workshop instructor for the AAP Annual Assembly.
"I’ve been blessed with incredible PM&R mentors throughout my career, and being able to see the tremendous impact that they have made for countless trainees and patients through teaching, research, leadership, and patient care inspired me to pursue academic medicine. I am honored to be a part of a trainee’s medical journey and helping them achieve their goals, and I am grateful for the continual support of my university/department, colleagues, trainees, and family,” stated Colorado.
Dr. Colorado serves as the assistant dean for Student Experience in UAB’s Heersink School of Medicine. Dr. Colorado is also vice chair of Education, program director for the PM&R Residency, program director for the Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship, chief of Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine, and medical director for Performing Arts Medicine. He is also a team physician for UAB Athletics.
Dr. Colorado received his medical degree and Master of Public Health degree from Des Moines University. He completed his PM&R Residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he served as Chief Resident. He then completed a Sports Medicine and Interventional Spine Fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis.
His clinical and research interests include musculoskeletal and neuromuscular ultrasound, electrodiagnostic, adaptive sports, regenerative medicine, interventional spine, and performing arts medicine. He has lectured nationally and authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on topics related to sports, spine, and musculoskeletal medicine.