Honors and Awards
Philadelphia Magazine Top DoctorsTM 2020
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – Dr. Christopher Plastaras, M.D.
2020 Physician Excellence Award – Einstein Healthcare Network
Philadelphia Magazine Top DoctorsTM 2019
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation – Dr. Christopher Plastaras, M.D.
Best Doctors in America
2009 – 2012, 2015 – 2018
Best Doctors 2015 – 2016
SuburbanLife, PhiladelphiaLife Magazine, October of 2015
A healthy dose of the area’s leading physicians, as chosen by their peers and our readers. Named one of 24 Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physicians in the Philadelphia region.
Read the article here.
2nd Place Abstract Award
Midwest Pain Society Scientific Session, October of 2015
McCormick Z, Cushman D, Marshall B, Caldwell M, Patel J, Ghannad L, Eng C, Makovitch S, Babu AN, Chu SK, Marciniak C, Walega DR, Press J, Plastaras CT, Kennedy DJ. Dexamethasone versus Particulate Steroid Injections for the Treatment of Needle Electromyography-Confirmed Painful Lumbosacral Radiculopathy. Chicago, IL.
2nd Place Abstract Award
Midwest Pain Society Scientific Session, October of 2014
McCormick Z, Cushman D, Caldwell M, Marshall B, Ghannad L, Eng C, Patel J, Makovitch S, Chu SK, Babu AN, Walega DR, Marciniak C, Press J, Kennedy DJ, Plastaras CT. Does Electrodiagnostic Confirmation of Acute or Chronic Cervical or Lumbosacral Radiculopathy Predict Pain Reduction after Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection? A Multicenter Longitudinal Study. Midwest Pain Society Scientific Session. Chicago, IL.
Best Pain & Spine Medicine Podium Presentation
October of 2013
Kennedy DJ, Plastaras C, Casey E, Visco CJ, Sigler JD, Smuck M, Conrad B, Dreyfuss P. “Multi-center Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Particulate versus Non-Particulate Corticosteroids via Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Injection for Acute Unilateral, Uni-level Radicular Pain due to Herniated Nucleus Pulposus. Poster for the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Annual Assembly and Technical Exhibition in Washington, DC on October 4, 2013. PM&R Journal. Volume 5 Issue 9 Supplement, September 2013, Page S133.
“Dynamic Docs” Most Skilled and Best Trained Physicians
PhiladelphiaLife Magazine, August of 2013
Readers casted votes on PhiladelphiaLifeMag.com to tell which physicians they turn to when it comes to keeping them and their families healthy. 400 physicians named in total from all specialties. Named one of 9 Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physicians in the Philadelphia region.
Best Musculoskeletal Medicine Research Poster Presentation
November of 2012
Sung W, Abraham M, Plastaras C, Silfies S, Wattananon P. “Trunk Neuromuscular Control is Impaired in Patients with Mechanical Low Back Pain and Improves Following a Lumbar Stabilization Program.” Poster for the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Annual Assembly and Technical Exhibition in Atlanta, Georgia. PM&R Journal vol:4 iss:10 2012: S187.
Honorable Mention Award
University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering & Applied Science, April of 2012
DEBUT Biomedical Challenge. Alpha version constructed: “The Falcon Project: InjectAlign – A Spinal Injection Guidance Device”
Collaborators: Mahesh Murali, Michelle Bubear, Gabriel Seidner, Paweorn Angsutararux Plastaras role: Expert Advisor Undergraduate Senior Design Project Supervised 4 students for 2 semesters to develop a design/prototype.
Best Case Report
Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association, October of 2011
Bayruns TJ, Angiolillo F, Beery T, Plastaras C. “Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Following a Two Level IDET Procedure: A Case Study” Poster Presentation, Awarded “Best Case Report”. Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association Conference in Valley Forge, PA.
Harrison Memorial Fund Grant Award
August of 2011
$5,000 grant to fund physical therapy visit copays for patients that cannot afford it.
Certificate of Appreciation for Education Contributions
Penn Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine of University of Pennsylvania Health System, December of 2009
Best Papers Session
North American Spine Society, November of 2009
Less than 1% of submissions achieve this recognition. Smuck M, Maxwell M, Kennedy D, Rittenberg J, Plastaras C. “Utility of the anesthetic test dose to avoid catastrophic injury during cervical transforaminal epidural injections” San Francisco, California.
U.S. Bone & Joint Decade Young Clinical Investigators Initiative Workshop
March of 2009
Awarded by the United States Bone and Joint Decade Research Committee to promising junior faculty researchers that have been nominated by their department chair.
U.S. Bone & Joint Decade Young Clinical Investigators Initiative Workshop
May of 2008
Awarded by the United States Bone and Joint Decade Research Committee to promising junior faculty researchers that have been nominated by their department chair.
Outstanding Performance in Problem Based Learning
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 2006-2007
Awarded in recognition of outstanding performance in Problem Based Learning.
Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award
Northwestern University Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residents, 2005
Awarded in recognition of excellence in teaching and outstanding commitment to education.
Helen Cooper Award
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 2000
Voted as best senior resident teacher by peers.
Walter E. Heller Fellowship
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1999
Harris Resident
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1998
Recognition for demonstrating academic excellence through educational initiative and motivation for learning.
Phi Beta Kappa
Emory University, 1995
Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society
Emory University, 1995
Phi Sigma Iota Foreign Language Honor Society
Emory University