The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) is excited to welcome new faculty members Daniel McBride, M.D. and Sabrina Thelen, PsyD. effective September 2025.
Daniel McBride, M.D.
Daniel McBride, M.D. joins the department as an assistant professor. He is a Louisiana native who attended medical school at LSU Health New Orleans. He completed his internship at the LSU Health New Orleans Internal Medicine Residency in Baton Rouge and his residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of PM&R. He then completed his fellowship in Brain Injury Medicine at Hackensack Meridian JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. He lives in Birmingham, AL. Outside of work, Daniel likes to spend time with his dogs, Odin and Loki, exploring the trails around Birmingham. He also likes to eat pizza and snuggle with his cat, Louie.
“UAB is an excellent academic institution and a top-ranked employer, and Birmingham is a beautiful city. The UAB Department of PM&R has a long history of excellence in neurorehabilitation, as demonstrated by our institution’s status as a model system for both TBI and SCI. Situated in the new Rehabilitation Pavilion and working with patients from across the state and region, this is an ideal environment to practice brain injury medicine and provide life-changing care to our community,” shared McBride.
McBride’s research interests include Brain Injury Medicine, Neuropharmacology, and Virtual Reality.
“We are so excited to welcome Dr. McBride back home to UAB and to our PMR family. His passion for caring for patients with brain injury, fresh ideas, and genuine enthusiasm will make a real difference for our team and the people we serve,” said Robert Brunner, M.D., Department of PM&R Vice Chair of Development.
Sabrina Thelen, PsyD.
Sabrina Thelen, Psy.D. joins the department as an assistant professor and clinical rehabilitation psychologist. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology with a concentration in neuropsychology from William James College. She also has a master’s in professional psychology from William James College and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wayne State University. She completed a neuropsychology internship at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit, MI. She completed a fellowship in the Division of Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology at Michigan Medicine. Her clinical interests include stroke, cancer, polytrauma, burns, and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their dachshund/corgi mix (a dorgi!) and mini labradoodle, and of course, eating good food.
“I joined UAB because of the exceptional team I met during my interview and their genuine care for both patients and colleagues. I am excited to continue my career here,” said Thelen.
Thelen’s research interests include quality of life following acute neurological changes.
“I am thrilled to have Dr. Thelen join our well-established Division of Rehabilitation Psychology. She brings great enthusiasm and innovative ideas that will significantly enhance our ability to engage and deliver high quality care to support the rehabilitation journey of our patients,” said Vu Nguyen, M.D., Department of PM&R Chair.