Health Care Team

A team of rehabilitation experts who specialize in your diagnosis area (spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury, orthopedics, pain, etc.) will work closely with you and your family to help you reach your rehabilitation goals. Your team will be directed by a physician who is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Your primary care and/or referring physician may also be involved in your care. Physicians are both employed by the hospital or independent providers. Depending upon your individual goals, additional members of your rehabilitation team may include:

Physical Therapists

Will evaluate your strength, balance, endurance, sensation and your ability to move. A therapist will develop a treatment program to teach you about your illness or injury, practice skills to regain your ability to walk or, if appropriate, how to use equipment, such as a wheelchair, to aid in your mobility. Based upon your abilities, the therapist will also teach you and your family skills, such as moving from a wheelchair to the bed or how to assist you in walking up stairs, to help you be as independent as possible.

Occupational Therapists

Will evaluate your strength, coordination and motion to create a treatment plan that will help you discover the best way to regain the use of fingers and hands to be able to perform daily activities, such as dressing and cooking. The treatment program concentrates on improving eye-hand coordination and mastering self-care skills. If needed, the program will also teach you how to use adaptive equipment to assist with these activities. Family training will be provided as needed.

Speech Language Pathologists

Speech language pathologists may evaluate you for any speech, hearing, language and thinking problems. Our speech therapists also treat dysphasia, a swallowing disorder caused by a stroke or other illnesses or injuries. We also have certified Vital Stim therapists on staff. The therapist will help you find ways to regain or compensate for any problems that may stem from your accident or illness. Family training will be provided as needed.

Respiratory Therapists

Evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders. Practicing under the direction of a physician, respiratory therapists assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatments and diagnostic procedures.

Psychologists

Will assess and assist you in coping with changes after your accident or illness. Family and individual counseling can be provided. Psychologists may also provide you with specialized treatment such as behavior training, biofeedback, relaxation and self-regulation techniques.

Rehabilitation Nurses

Will teach and encourage you to perform your own health care skills independently such as taking medications and eating healthy foods. Our nursing staff will encourage and help you carry over the skills you have learned in therapy. Nurses also monitor your overall health status to help detect any problems and seek treatment.

Case Managers

Will help you and your family through the rehabilitation process by explaining rehabilitation schedules, answering questions about the disability and planning for discharge. Case managers will coordinate family training and assist in locating community resources to help you make a smooth transition from the hospital to home.

Chaplain

Can assist you providing spiritual support and encouragement. Individual and group counseling can be provided. The Chaplain leads a weekly Worship Service in the Chapel each Sunday for patients, family members and staff. The Chaplain can also provide assistance in preparing advance medical directives and living wills.

Dietitian

By providing education, the dietitian teaches patients and their families how to prepare appropriate healthy foods for when they return home.