Not long ago, we believed that little or nothing could delay the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and movement disorders. Now we’re finding that physical activity and rehabilitation can extend the lives of patients with PD and also improve its quality. In this issue, neurologist Mya Schiess, MD, and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist Jacob Joseph, MD, discuss how they work together to improve the lives of patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
In research funded by a TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Innovation Award, Mansi Jhaveri, DO, and her team are investigating a telemedicine-guided educational intervention that extends stroke care beyond the walls of the hospital to the home. To test its impact on secondary stroke and fall prevention after inpatient rehabilitation, they use iPad-based telecommunications for a weekly visual check-in with former patients and their caregivers, intercepting problems early.
At our Outpatient Medical Clinic, Jason Petrishin, RN, is working to engage patients more directly in their care through the patient portal on Memorial Hermann’s Everyday Well website. He and his team are moving closer to their goal of surpassing 75% enrollment of patients across our citywide rehabilitation network by the end of this year.
I want to congratulate senior patient care assistant Martha Garcia, CMA, for being selected from among 23 people in our 16-hospital health system as the Memorial Hermann Health System Employee of the Year. Martha brings a contagious passion and fire to her work that inspires patients and clinicians alike.
In the same body-mind-spirit vein, the response to this year’s employee campaign, which raised funds for a beauty salon for our patients, was overwhelming. After a successful campaign, I’m pleased to announce that construction has begun on the salon. The idea for the salon came from one of our rehabilitation technicians, Linda Kelley, who volunteered to co-chair the campaign. She and Martha Garcia are outstanding examples of what makes TIRR Memorial Hermann great – our everyday heroes.
Carl E. Josehart
Chief Executive Officer
TIRR Memorial Hermann
System Executive for Rehabilitation Services
Memorial Hermann Health System