John L. Melvin, MD, MMSc

John L. Melvin, MD, MMSc, is an Emeritus Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. From 1998-2016, he was Michie Professor and Chair of this department.  He was Vice President-Medical Affairs of MossRehab and Chairman of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia from 1991-2002

Doctor Melvin as an academic physician, has actively contributed to the development of programs for individuals with physical disabilities for many years.  He has done this through regional, national, and international organizational leadership, advocacy, teaching, research, and clinical services.

 His early Ohio State University research with Ernest W. Johnson, MD, led to the development of diagnostic techniques (sensory nerve conduction studies) that continue to be basic in the assessment of arm and leg nerve function.  In the 1980s, he and colleagues demonstrated that function is a better predictor of rehabilitation outcomes and costs than medical diagnoses.  This research provided the basis for the development of the prospective payment system for rehabilitation hospital services implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid in 2002.

As Chairman of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee from 1973-1991, Dr. Melvin expanded the number of PM&R specialists the department trained and recruited.  Through the influence of this department, the number of PM&R specialists per capita in Wisconsin increased to be among the highest in the nation.

He has presented more than 465 invited lectures throughout the world and published more than 245 papers, chapters, monographs, books, editorials, and abstracts.

Since 1971, Dr. Melvin has served as a member of 55 national and international expert advisory committees, including three of the Institute of Medicine and one of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.  Two of these were Technical Expert Panels formed by the RAND Corporation for advice in its research on the development of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System.

He has held many leadership positions in professional organizations dedicated to the improvement, development, and expansion of rehabilitation services.  These include being the President or Chairman of twelve major national and international organizations.    Among these organizations are those emphasizing academics, physician practice, facility development, teaching program accreditation, physician specialist certification, research and the advancement of physical medicine and rehabilitation.   

During the 1970s, Doctor Melvin provided leadership in the development of the guidelines that define when Medicare patients are eligible to receive needed rehabilitation hospital services.  These guidelines continue to be influential after more than 45 years and have significantly contributed to the increased availability of rehabilitation services.

From 1994-1999 Dr. Melvin chaired the joint International Task Force of the International Federation of PM&R and the International Rehabilitation Medical Association.  This activity led to the merger of these two organizations into the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) in 1999.  Dr. Melvin served as the first ISPRM President from 1999-2002.  He continues to advise the Board of the ISPRM as the Founding Past-President.  

From 2000-2017, Dr. Melvin was active in developing rehabilitation medicine in China by providing clinical and research experiences for Chinese physicians and therapists at the affiliated clinical facilities of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College.  He also has made numerous visits to China to lecture at medical schools and professional societies, and to review rehabilitation facilities, including those associated with the Sichuan earthquake of 2008.  He is an Honorary Member of the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and an Honorary Professor of three Chinese medical schools.