The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Manila Doctors Hospital was inaugurated on November 26, 1958 by Howard Rusk, M.D., considered as the Father of Rehabilitation Medicine (From New York University – Bellevue Medical Center).

It was founded and organized by one of the early Filipino physiatrist, Dr. Guillermo R. Damian. He had been the chairman emeritus of the department until October 1998.         

Subsequently, Dr. Rosalinda Elena B. Milla, was accepted as the second active consultant of the department.

In 1996, three consultant- physiatrists: Dr. Jose Alvin P. Mojica, Dr. Celso Noel F. Bate and Dra. Estelita M. Chua was added. The allied medical staff then consisted of two (2) full time physical therapists (PT), one (1) full time occupational therapist, one (1) PT technician, one (1) PT aide, and a department secretary.

In 1998, with the passing away of Dr. Damian, founder and chairman emeritus, the chairmanship was transferred to Dr. Rosalinda Elena Milla. At the same time, a new Chief Therapist and Clinical Training Coordinator were appointed. Thereafter, three (3) new consultant physiatrists came in – Dr. Arnel V. Malaya, Dr. Sharon Ignacio, and Dr. Cynthia D. Ang but at about the same time, Dr. Bate resigned.

In 1999, a new Chief Therapist and allied medical training coordinator were appointed followed by the resignation of most of the former allied medical staff. Iontophoresis, as a modality for pain was introduced. The Department was selected as one of the participant unit for the development of a physical capacity evaluation (PCE) tool under the aegis of Dr. Milla.

In December 2000, Dr. Rosalinda Elena B. Milla, left for abroad and Chairmanship was transferred to the present chairman of the Department, Dr. Arnel V. Malaya.

In 2003, under the chairmanship of Dr. Malaya, the Department was renamed, the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. This was done as part of the preparation of the hospital’s ISO certification and to conform to the common terminology adopted by the Philippine Academy of rehabilitation Medicine (PARM) and the Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine (PBRM).

In October 2005, the Department, transferred to its new and present location: Ground Floor of DSMT Building.