Physician Features
Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Mark Rubenstein
The ABPMR would like to honor the remarkable legacy of a long-time volunteer who has devoted 30 years to the ABPMR, Dr. Mark Rubenstein. Through his time and expertise, we are reminded of the significant impact that selfless service has on our specialty as well as on individual diplomates. This spotlight serves as a powerful testament to the enduring value of volunteering and the power it holds in shaping the future of our field.
Dr. Mark Rubenstein currently serves as Volunteer Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Miami, and Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Nova Southeastern University.
Dr. Rubenstein has served ABPMR for more than 30 years, beginning shortly after completing his Oral Boards in 1994. He was invited to participate the next year and began his work as an Oral Board Examiner and eventually an item writer for the PM&R Part I Examination. From that point forward, he volunteered continuously until reaching his term maximum on the Pain Medicine Committee in October 2025.
Over the course of his service, Dr. Rubenstein has held multiple roles, including PM&R item writer; Part II Oral Examiner; and Pain Medicine item writer. A few years after beginning item writing, he became an Oral Examiner and later served dual roles, contributing to both the PM&R and Pain Medicine examinations. He served on the PM&R Exam Committee while continuing to write Pain Medicine questions, before eventually transitioning to focus exclusively on Pain Medicine. From 2017 to 2025, he served as a member of the Pain Medicine Exam Committee, following multiple cycles as an item writer.
How did you get started volunteering?
I have been a volunteer for ABPMR for more than 30 years. I was invited to participate in 1994 after completing the Oral Boards. My involvement has included serving as a writer and committee member for the PM&R written examination, as well as representing ABPMR on the Pain Medicine examination as both an item writer and committee member. I have also represented ABPMR at the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) level, contributing to the writing and editing of Pain Medicine questions across various board specialties.
Why did you keep coming back year after year to volunteer?
I continued to volunteer because I view it as part of the stewardship responsibility we hold for our specialty. Contributing to the certification process helps ensure that physicians entering the field meet the high standards expected by patients, colleagues, and the broader medical community, thereby preserving the reputation and standing of the specialty. For me, this role reflects an ethical commitment to service, with a goal of sustaining the quality and integrity of the profession for the next generation. I view this work as both an ethical responsibility and a meaningful form of service to the profession that has shaped my career.
Do you have a favorite memory or experience from your time as a volunteer?
I sincerely appreciated my mentors at the committee level when I was developing questions as an item writer and appreciate the relationships and camaraderie that evolved from same. My respect and appreciation for Dr. Steven Geiringer at the PM&R Exam level, and Dr. Stephen Noll as my mentor when I began writing questions for the Pain Medicine Committee cannot be quantified. Meeting likeminded individuals who are committed to the cause has been a driving force of continued involvement.
Participating in the Board Exam process has been a labor of love. As much as I have tried to contribute to the process, I have gained just as much from the academic interactions and personal relationships that have developed along the way. The Pain Medicine Committee is a perfect example of this - every time we met as a committee, there was another opportunity to teach, to learn, and to share.
Why did you choose PM&R as a specialty?
I earned my undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering with a focus on biomechanics. As a competitive athlete, I was drawn to sports medicine and initially planned a career in orthopedics. At the time, there were no physiatrists on the faculty at my medical school in New York, so I had no direct exposure to PM&R. During my third year of medical school, I spent 12 weeks in internal medicine, much of it in critical care. Despite my surgical plans, faculty consistently encouraged me to consider a medical specialty, noting my ability to think broadly and develop detailed differential diagnoses. After reviewing my evaluations, the Dean, a former internist, met with me and introduced me to the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, which was not represented at our school. He encouraged me to pursue a fourth year acting internship in PM&R, and I chose San Antonio, where I could explore both PM&R and orthopedics simultaneously. The PM&R residents there were welcoming, bright, and inspiring, and it was during that experience that I realized PM&R was the best path for me.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I am currently Speaker of the House for the Florida Medical Association, serving on the board of governors, executive committee, and board for the political action committee. During my "free" time I enjoy competitive golf, traveling with my family and friends, concerts, and sporting events (particularly since I treat so many professionals in my practice). When I can slow down, I look forward to some joint replacements and return to tennis and other racquet sports.
The ABPMR would like to express its sincere gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Rubenstein for his many years of outstanding service to the Board and for his commitment to quality patient care through board certification and volunteerism.
"It is difficult to put into words the tremendous contribution that Dr. Mark Rubenstein made to the ABA Pain Committee. The amount of work he put into this volunteer position was indescribable. His only motive was to do a great job. He was meticulous in his preparation and often, did more than he was asked. That is who Mark is a first-class individual who cares deeply about excellence. We will miss him dearly on the ABA Pain Committee and wish him nothing but the best. He will excel in whatever circumstance in which he is placed. He deserves any accolade that he receives for a job well done. Thank you Mark.”
Anne Marie McKenzie-Brown, M.D., MBA, Chair, ABA Pain Medicine Exam Committee
"Thank you for your incredible 30+ years of service and dedication to our pain examination. It was truly an honor to work with you!"
Jill M. Eckert, DO, Pain Medicine Exam Committee, ABA Board of Directors
