In September 2025, Erik B. Philipson, a second-year student at WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, presented research at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. After his presentations, he returned to Spokane to take a medical school exam before traveling to California to participate in an IRONMAN triathlon.
Philipson presented two research abstracts at the conference. One study examined differences in temporary accommodations for Washington state high school students after traumatic brain injury. The findings suggested that rural students may receive fewer supports than urban students. His second project reported differences in post-injury functioning between Hispanic students and their parents, with notable results within the Hispanic group.
The research was supported by the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center at the University of Washington. Philipson completed the IRONMAN California, which included a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run. He finished in 10 hours and 19 minutes, placing 33rd in his age group and 251st overall out of more than 2,300 participants…