Education:
B.S. in Biology, Magna cum laude, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA 2005 – 2009
Medical School:
M.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 2009 – 2014
Residency: Internal Medicine
Morehouse School of Medicine Department of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 2014 – 2015
Residency: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 2015 – 2018
Medical Licensure:
- Florida
- Pennsylvania
Professional background:
2018 – Present: Rehabilitation and Electrodiagnostics, PA, Tampa,
A single specialty, group physician practice with three locations in Tampa, Florida.
Current Hospital Affiliations:
2018 – Present: Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida
2018 – Present: St Joseph’s Hospital, Tampa, Florida
2018 – Present: Florida Hospital (Previously known as University Community Hospital) Tampa, Florida
2018 – Present: Brandon Regional Medical Center
2018 – Present: Kindred Hospital Bay Area
Research:
Spinal Root Sensory Feedback for Intramuscular Myoelectric Prostheses: Pittsburgh, PA / PI: Dr. Robert Gaunt (May 2016-present)
- Project involves implantation of intramuscular EMG electrodes under ultrasound guidance to facilitate movements with prosthetic hand in transradial amputees
- Currently drafting review article discussing neural control of coordinated muscle activity in the forearm and implications for prosthetic limbs
- Spending time in lab analyzing implant placement on US images and relating findings to EMG recordings with attempted forearm muscle activation
NIH Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP); Clinical Research Fellow: Bethesda, MD / PI: Dr. Diane Damiano PT, PhD; Dr. Leighton Chan MD, MPH (2012-2013)
- Investigated mild-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI), correlating MRI structural images to functional deficits. Incorporated analysis of gait as well as visual, somatosensory and vestibular input for balance.
Harvard-Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital: Boston, MA; Forsyth Institute- Cambridge, MA/ PI: Dr. Leslie Morse DO, Dr. Jeffrey Widrick, PhD (Summer 2010, 2011)
- Investigated the development of a murine model of cancer cachexia. Characterized effects cancer on lean body mass, bone mineral density, and peak tetanic muscle force and refined protocol for use of murine model.
Continuing Umbrella of Research Experience (CURE) Program; Northwestern University : Evanston, IL/ PI: Dr. Richard Morimoto PhD; Dr. Tali Gidalevitz PhD (Summers 2007, 2008)
- Investigated the normal pathway of protein aggregate degradation using both wild-type and GFP-tagged SOD1 mutant elegans. Explored the mechanism of impaired protein aggregate degradation in selected SOD1 mutants implicated in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Investigated the chromosomal location of an SOD 1 mutant gene in the elegans genome by using cross-breeding and genetic mapping techniques
Research Publications:
Choi, E., Carruthers, K., Zhang, L., Thomas, N., Battaglino, R., Morse, L, Widrick, J. Concurrent muscle and bone deterioration in a murine model of cancer cachexia. Physiological Reports, November 2013, Vol. 1 no. e00144 DOI:10.1002/phy2.144.
Ma, V., Chan, L., Carruthers, K., Incidence, Prevelence, Costs, and Impact on Disability of Common Conditions Requiring Rehabilitation in the Unites States: Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Limb Loss, and Back Pain. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Volume 95, Issue 5, May 2014, Pages 986-995.
Carruthers, K,, Zampieri, C., Damiano, D., Relationship between the Effects of Cognitive and Motor Interventions in Rehabilitation. Translational Neuroscience, December 2014, Volume 5, Issue 4, pp 227-238
Lectures/Presentations:
Carruthers, K., M.D., Genetic Mapping of selected SOD1 mutant in the Elegans Genome. Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center, Northwestern University. August 1, 2007.
Carruthers, K., M.D., Identifying the Mechanism of Impaired Protein Aggregate Degradation in selected Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) 1 Mutant C. Elegans. Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center, Northwestern University. August 15, 2008.
Carruthers, K., M.D., Development and Characterization of a Murine Model of Cancer Cachexia. Lepow Research Day, Thwing Student Center, Case Western Reserve University, January 13, 2011
Carruthers, K., M.D., Development and Characterization of a Murine Model of Cancer Cachexia. Lepow Research Day, Thwing Student Center, Case Western Reserve University, February 16, 2012
Carruthers, K., M.D., Development and Characterization of a Murine Model of Cancer Cachexia. AAP Annual Meeting 2012- Poster Presentation, Red Rock Resort, Las Vegas, NV. February 16, 2012
Carruthers, K., M.D., Carruthers, K., M.D., Psychotropic Medications and Gait Performance in Mild-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury. National Capital Area Research Symposium 2013; NIH Natcher Conference Center, Bethesda, MD. April 29-30, 2013
Carruthers, K., M.D., Kir, Serkan et al. “Tumor-Derived PTHrP Triggers Adipose Tissue Browning and Cancer Cachexia.” (2014). UPMC PM&R Monthly Journal Club, June 2, 2016
Carruthers, K., M.D.,Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Spinal cord injury Rehabilitation Edition UPMC PM&R Resident Board Review. March 8, 2016
Carruthers, K., M.D., Deijs, M. et al. “Flexible and Static Wrist Units in Upper Limb Prosthesis Users: Functionality Scores, User Satisfaction and Compensatory Movements.” Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation (2016). UPMC PM&R Monthly Journal Club, June 2, 2016
Carruthers, K., M.D., Reaching for the future: Neuroprosthetics and the Upper Limb Amputee. UPMC PM&R Resident Grand Rounds. August 3, 2016
M.D., Reaching for the future: Neuroprosthetics and the Upper Limb Amputee. UPMC PM&R Resident Grand Rounds. August 3, 2016
Carruthers, K., M.D., Claude Syndrome: An Unusual Stroke Syndrome. AAP Annual Meeting 2017- Case Report Poster, Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas, NV. February 10, 2017
Carruthers, K., M.D., No Smiling Matter: An Unusual Presentation of Guillan Barre Syndrome. To be presented at AAPM&R Annual Meeting 2017- Case Report Poster, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO. October 13, 2017
Carruthers, K., M.D., Correlating Structural MRI imaging with functional Deficits in Mild-Moderate Traumatic Brian Injury. NIH MRSP Scientific Presentations. Lipsett Auditorium, NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD. May 14, 2013.
Honors and Awards:
- UPMC PM&R Residency
- AAPM&R abstract poster board presentation nomination: ‘No Smiling Matter: An Unusual Presentation of Guillan Barre Syndrome’ (2017)
- AAP abstract poster board presentation nomination: ‘Claude Syndrome: An Unusual Stroke Syndrome’ (2016)
- Current Concept in Brain Injury Rehabilitation: 7th Annual Conference, UPMC Mercy- Certificate of attendance (2016)
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP)- Certificate of Completion (2013)
- NIH coursework; ‘Introduction to Principals and Practices of Clinical Research’- Certificate of Completion (2013)
- NIH coursework; ‘Basic Science Writing’- Certificate of Completion (2013)
- Dean’s Summer Research Award (2010)
- Morehouse College
- Phi Beta Kappa honor society (2009)
- Golden Key International Honour Society (2009)
- Morehouse College B.R. Brazeal Alumni Scholarship Award finalist (2009)
- Achievement Rewards for College Scientists scholarship recipient (2009)
- Morehouse College Academic Dean’s list (2009)
- SIAC Championship- Morehouse College Tennis Team (2007, 2009)
Leadership and Professional Experience:
- UPMC PM&R Department Recruitment Committee
- Participating in resident and faculty recruitment initiatives for the UPMC PM&R Department. Working with program director and chief residents on residency applicant screenings, interviews, and tours for prospective residents and fellows (2017-present)
- Gateway Medical Society
- Participating in volunteer and fundraising initiatives with other physicians with aim of promoting public health and general welfare in minority and disadvantaged populations in the Pittsburgh area (2016-present)
- Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh
- Participating in meetings and events with other young professionals in the Pittsburgh area with aim of empowering minority communities to achieve in education, employment, housing, and healthcare (2015-present)
- Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Executive Board: CWRU School of Medicine
- Worked with board members to coordinate SNMA events sponsored by the CWRU School of Medicine. Participated in fundraising activities aimed toward eradicating healthcare disparities in underserved communities in Cleveland, OH (2009-2011)
- Passport to Manhood Coordinator
- Coordinated weekly after-school educational and recreational activities for boys aged 5-12 at the King Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Club in Cleveland, OH (2011)
Volunteer Experience:
- Tough Mudder- Endurance Race
- Volunteered as a member of the medical staff providing coverage for the event in Coatsville, PA and helped to coordinate care between the event coverage site and local hospital (May, 2017)
- “Just Ice It” Sled Hockey Challenge- Mighty Penguins vs. UPMC Rehabilitation
- Participated in event with UPMC PM&R residents and faculty to raise funds for various youth initiatives in the Pittsburgh area and promote an active lifestyle among disabled individuals (March, 2017)
- Ossur Running and Mobility Clinic
- Worked with physicians, therapists, and prosthetists in assisting lower extremity amputees learn how to ambulate more effectively and run in their prosthesis (August, 2016)
- American Medical Association-Doctor’s Back to School Day
- Spoke to high-school students in Allderdice high school in Pittsburgh, PA with aim of bolstering interest careers in medicine among underrepresented minorities (April, 2017)
- Spoke to young students at an elementary school in an underserved community with aim of addressing issue of minority underrepresentation in medicine (May, 2016)
- AIDS walk Atlanta & 5K Run (Atlanta, GA)
- Participated in fundraising event to raise awareness and support advances in research and access to AIDS/HIV care in the Atlanta area (2014)
- Student Interviewer-CWRU School of Medicine (Cleveland, OH)
- Interviewed and evaluated approximately four students per month for review by the CWRU School of Medicine Admissions Committee (2009-2011)
- John Jay High School Tutor (Cleveland, OH)
- Tutored high school students in math and science subjects 2-3 afternoons each month (2010-2011)