Physician Features
Meet our 2025-2026 ABMS Scholar: Dr. Matthew Haas!
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) has selected Matthew Haas, MD as the 2025–2026 ABMS Scholars Program™ recipient. Established in 2014, the one-year, part-time program supports early-career physicians and researchers in scholarship and leadership development focusing on initial and continuing board certification. Each Scholar receives a $15,000 financial award.
Dr. Matthew Haas grew up in New Jersey and began his undergraduate studies in journalism at Northwestern University before discovering a stronger pull toward math and science. He graduated with a degree in chemistry and following a study abroad experience in Mexico—where he participated in pediatric cancer epidemiology research—which sparked his interest in medicine and working with children with complex medical needs.
He earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, completed residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Northwestern—where he served as chief resident—and went on to complete fellowship in Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Following fellowship, Dr Haas returned to Northwestern and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, where he practiced as a pediatric rehabilitation physician for three years. In July 2024, he was recruited to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to develop a pediatric cancer rehabilitation program and currently serves as assistant professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Haas is currently pursuing his Master of Medical Education degree at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on education research and innovations in assessment. His academic interests align closely with his ABMS Scholar research and his work with the ABPMR which includes chairing a task force that is exploring new training and certification pathways to strengthen the pipeline of physicians entering pediatric rehabilitation medicine.
His ABMS Scholar research project “Factors influencing trainee decisions to pursue pediatric rehabilitation medicine: a mixed methods study of exposure, motivation and career pathways” will be the first national effort to understand what draws—or deters—physicians from pursuing pediatric rehabilitation medicine.
“We’re examining the complex interplay of exposure, mentorship, career decision-making and certification pathways to better understand how trainees choose—or overlook—pediatric rehabilitation medicine" Dr. Haas explained. “By gaining insight into how these choices are made, we can begin to inform system-level changes that strengthen training pathways and ensure they meet both learner needs and patient demand for a strong, diverse rehabilitation medicine workforce.”
The study’s initial phase includes a national survey of medical students and PM&R residents to explore their exposure to PRM, their level of interests, and factors influencing their career decision. Follow-up interviews will offer deeper insight into how trainees interpret these experiences and navigate specialty choice. Together, this data will help identify opportunities to enhance early exposure, promote equity in access to training, and inform the development of more flexible, competency-based certification pathways to support the PRM workforce of the future.
Reflecting on his goals for the ABMS Scholars Program, Dr. Haas said “Pediatric rehabilitation medicine plays a vital role in helping children with disabilities and their families thrive. With a growing workforce shortage, it is essential that our expansion efforts and guided by evidence. This project is ultimately about ensuring that children have access to highly trained physicians that they need.”
When Dr. Haas isn't working, he enjoys spending quality time with his family, exploring new recipes, and discovering new restaurants. He has a passion for connecting and conversing with individuals from diverse backgrounds and hearing their stories. He is still, deep down, a journalist at heart.
