Dr. Duerden is a highly respected physiatrist with more than 35 years of distinguished experience in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry with distinction from Purdue University, his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine, and completed his residency training at Northwestern

University’s Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, and disability evaluation, he brings a rare blend of deep clinical expertise, academic leadership, and national Medicare policy experience to his role.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Duerden has served as a rehabilitation leader, educator, and medical director across numerous inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient settings. He has held continuous academic appointments at Indiana University School of Medicine since 1993 and currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor, with longstanding involvement in medical student and resident education, curriculum development, and national accreditation and residency review activities.

In addition to his clinical and academic work, Dr. Duerden has already played a prominent role in national Medicare medical policy, where he has advised CMS on rehabilitation, pain management, and post-acute care policy, and supported provider education, and program integrity. His career reflects a sustained commitment to patient care, physician education, and the advancement of evidence-based rehabilitation medicine.

Dr. Duerden brings his depth of experience, thoughtful leadership, and passion to Noridian’s on the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Review Choice Demonstration (IRF RCD) and Medical Policy team.