Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Jaymi Bautista-Whitaker, DO
Administrative Chief Resident

Carolinas Rehabilitation stood out to me because it felt like a place where I could become the physician I wanted to be. The breadth of clinical experiences, strong procedural training, and commitment to resident education were immediately apparent, but what ultimately made my decision easy was the people. What truly sets this program apart is its supportive culture and investment in resident development. Residents are challenged to grow, encouraged to pursue their goals, and surrounded by faculty and peers who are genuinely committed to their success. Charlotte is also a wonderful place to live, offering a great quality of life, a strong sense of community, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy time outside of work.

Nicolas Brandt, MD
Academic Chief Resident

After completing 2 years of training at Carolinas Rehabilitation so far, I can say without doubt that I made the right decision when choosing to do my residency here.  The patient populations we serve in the city where we practice (Charlotte) give you exposure to all that the field of PM&R has to offer.  We get the opportunity to train in a wide variety of clinical environments, so the newer residents can find their passion within the field, and the senior residents can craft their schedule to best prepare for their careers. As a budding generalist, I love the ability to do a bit of everything during my training years, getting a diverse and solid foundation as I prepare to practice after residency. It’s great to train in a place where the leadership has your back no matter what path you choose.  Being born and raised only about 20 minutes from Charlotte, I can attest that it is a great place to live and work! 

Alena Sidwell, MD
Quality Improvement Chief Resident

I am very thankful to be training at Carolinas Rehabilitation! One thing that has been apparent to me since I first rotated here as a medical student is the passion that all members of our multidisciplinary team have towards providing the best patient care. This attitude is infectious and has pushed me to grow significantly in my leadership, communication and clinical skills.  Being located in a major city like Charlotte, and a part of a large healthcare system allows us the opportunity to take care of both significantly complex patients and those with "bread and butter" rehabilitation diagnoses. The breadth of physiatry that we are exposed to makes me feel well prepared to take care of any patient that I may cross paths within my career.