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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab has promoted Samman Shahpar, MD, to section chief of cancer rehabilitation, a new role for the organization. This announcement comes as Shirley Ryan AbilityLab focuses on expanding its cancer rehabilitation program to serve more patients with cancer across its system of care.
In his new position, Dr. Shahpar will provide strategic and clinical leadership for the hospital’s growing cancer rehabilitation program — strengthening evidence-based, patient-centered care and services while driving innovation and improving outcomes for patients throughout their cancer journeys.
Dr. Shahpar has dedicated his career to changing the culture of cancer care. He joined the hospital as an attending physician after completing his physical medicine and rehabilitation residency in 2012 at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University/Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (then the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago).
Since then, he has gained extensive experience assessing and treating cancer survivors of all diagnoses, and he has built relationships with acute-care providers. In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Shahpar is an associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
“I’m honored to take on this new role at a pivotal moment for cancer rehabilitation and for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab,” said Dr. Shahpar. “Our goal is to redefine how cancer rehabilitation is integrated across the care continuum — advancing innovative, evidence-based care while expanding access so every patient has the opportunity not just to survive, but to thrive.”
Patients often develop neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and other impairments caused by cancer, or by its aggressive treatments. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is one of few rehabilitation hospitals to offer a comprehensive, integrated approach to rehabilitation for adults and children with cancer.
“Dr. Shahpar’s promotion is not only well-deserved; his contributions are vital to meeting the expanding needs of our patients with cancer,” said Monica Rho, MD, vice president, chief of medical affairs at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. “Currently, more than 8 million cancer survivors in the United States experience functional limitations — a population that surpasses even the national stroke population — underscoring the critical and growing need for leadership, innovation and expertise in cancer rehabilitation.”
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