Christopher R. Brigham

Career

Christopher R. Brigham is an American physician and thought leader on human potential and disability. He is committed to working with others in the application of evidence-based medicine and best practices to promote function and achieve the goal of joyful and productive lives for all individuals.

Brigham has strong clinical and academic credentials, including board certification in occupational medicine, fellowship status in occupational medicine and disability evaluation, and certifications as an independent medical examiner and in evaluation of disability and impairment rating. He has served as a senior contributing editor for the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Sixth Edition, and is the author of several texts, newsletters, computer-based resources, video and audio programs, and over three hundred publications.

Consulting and Professional Experience

Brigham is an internationally recognized expert in impairment and disability assessment, with a focus on musculoskeletal, mental, and behavioral disorders. He has extensive experience in workers' compensation, automobile casualty, Longshore and Harbor Workers Act, and long-term disability cases. Brigham has served as a consultant to various health care and disability organizations, insurers, third-party administrators, employers, legal firms, workers' compensation boards, governmental agencies, non-profit international organizations, and physician practices.

He has held leadership positions in several organizations, including serving as the president of Brigham and Associates, Inc., an occupational health consulting firm, and as the executive vice president of SEAK, Inc., a provider of educational resources for physicians, attorneys, and other professionals.

Education and Certifications

Brigham received his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine and completed a family practice residency at Eastern Maine Medical Center. He also holds a Master of Medical Science degree from Rutgers Medical School and a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from Rutgers College.

In addition to his medical degrees, Brigham has obtained several certifications, including board certification in occupational medicine, fellowship status in occupational medicine and disability evaluation, certification as an independent medical examiner, and certification in evaluation of disability and impairment rating.

Publications and Presentations

Brigham has an extensive list of publications, including several texts, newsletters, and over three hundred articles and publications. He has also been a distinguished professional speaker and trainer, developing and implementing numerous successful seminars and conferences focusing on workers' compensation, impairment, and disability issues throughout the United States and internationally.

Honors and Affiliations

Brigham has held various academic positions and honors, including serving as the editor-in-chief of the AMA Guides Newsletter and as a member of several editorial boards and advisory committees. He has also received honors such as the Jean Spencer Felton Award for Excellence in Scientific Writing from the Western Occupational and Environmental Medical Association.

He has been an active member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners, the American Medical Association, the International Academy of Independent Medical Evaluators, and various state and regional medical associations.

Personal Life

Brigham is married with three children and four grandchildren. He is a Christian and a member of the Hilton Head Presbyterian Church, where he serves as a Stephen Minister. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard captain's license and enjoys recreational activities such as sailing, boating, kayaking, tennis, bicycling, and international travel.