Occasionally, I will receive fellow physiatry residents’ names from newly graduating residents as their references.  Or, practicing physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians sometimes give me references of individuals who report to them.

Your fellow PM&R residents know you well however they’re more friends than fellow professionals so their value as a reference is not the best.  If you’re going to provide a fellow physical med and rehab resident as a reference only include one, as typically you’ll be asked for 3 references.  Select references who are faculty if you’re a graduating physiatry resident.

For practicing PM&R doctors, it’s suspect that your employee will feel obligated to give you a good reference.  They aren’t good references.  Select references who are your colleagues.