John Chae, MD

The MetroHealth System 

• Executive Vice President, Chief Academic Officer

Case Western Reserve University

• Senior Associate Dean for Medical Affairs
• Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Broad Research Programs

• Paralysis After Stroke
• Pain Reduction
• Innovative Rehabilitation Technologies

Summary

Dr. Chae’s research focuses on the application of electrical stimulation for neuroprostheses, neural plasticity and the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. Neuroprosthetic applications include the development and evaluation of implantable technologies to reanimate hemiparetic upper and lower limb muscles to improve the ADL and mobility functions of stroke survivors. Focus on neural plasticity harnesses the potential role of electrical stimulation mediated activity dependent neuroplasticity, such as contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation, to facilitate the motor and functional recovery of the hemiparetic upper limb. Finally, Dr. Chae and his group are investigating the efficacy of percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation of motor nerves to modulate central sensitization of chronic musculoskeletal pain. To date, over 20,000 patients have been implanted with this device for the treatment of chronic pain. 

Dr. Chae serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Academic Officer for the MetroHealth System. He also serves as Senior Associate Dean for Medical Affairs and Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and Biomedical Engineering (BME) at Case Western Reserve University. 

He received his Bachelor of Science and Masters in BME from Duke University and Dartmouth College, respectively. He received his MD and residency training in PM&R from Rutgers University – New Jersey Medical School. He completed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Rehabilitation Medicine Scientist Training Program Fellowship at Case Western Reserve University. His clinical expertise is in stroke rehabilitation.  

Dr. Chae has over 130 publications and 27 patents. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and past President of the Association of Academic Physiatrists.

Publications

View Publications

Professional Society Memberships

    Association of Academic Physiatrists
    American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
    International Neuromodulation Society
    International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
    National Academy of Medicine
    North American Neuromodulation Society

Specific Research Topics

• Arm and Hand Movement after Stroke
• Reducing Shoulder Pain
• Walking after Stroke
• Reducing Back Pain

Contact Information

MetroHealth Research Institute
Rammelkamp Center for Research and Education
2500 MetroHealth Drive
Cleveland OH, 44109
Phone: 216-957-3623
Email: [email protected] ; [email protected]