Gerard E. Francisco, MD

Biography

Dr. Gerard Francisco is one of the nation’s leading physicians in the field of brain injury, stroke rehabilitation and spasticity management. He is Chairman and Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and an Adjunct Professor of PM&R at Baylor College of Medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of the Philippines and completed his internship at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. His residency in PM&R was at the University of Medicine and Dentistry-New Jersey Medical School, where he was chief resident.

Currently, Dr. Francisco is the Director of the UTHealth Motor Recovery Lab at TIRR and the TIRR Memorial Hermann S.T.A.R. (Spasticity Treatment and Research Center). He is principal investigator in research in various areas, including robotic therapy in persons with incomplete spinal cord injury and intrathecal baclofen and botulinum toxins for spasticity. He recently received a research grant to investigate novel treatment of spinal cord injury-related pain.

In the last decade, he received the Dean’s Teaching Award from University Texas Health Science Center Medical School several times, and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Alliance of Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Health Science Center Teacher of the Year Award. Since 2001, he has been listed in annual “Best Doctors in America.” Dr. Francisco also holds office in various national PM&R associations, and is a member of specialty organizations, including the ACGME Residency Review Committee for PM&R.

Dr. Francisco completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Brain Injury Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine. Before joining the Brain Injury Program at TIRR Memorial Hermann in 1997, he served as director of the Brain Injury Program at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. In 2008, he was named Alumnus of the Year of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at New Jersey Medical School.