Message From the Chief Medical Officer

At TIRR Memorial Hermann, our care services go beyond rehabilitation. Ultimately, our goal is community reintegration following hospital discharge, meaning that patients continue their recovery as active, engaged members of the larger community.

The health system’s involvement as founding sponsor of the ReelAbilities Film Festival typifies this philosophy. The 10th film festival, in February 2024, will see several former TIRR Memorial Hermann patients and other artists sharing their creative work in media ranging from film, of course, to the arts and music.

The 2024 festival, previewed in the following pages, will once again bring the entire Houston community together. I am proud to say that many of my colleagues, as well as former patients and their families here at TIRR Memorial Hermann, will be involved in bringing this unique event to the city: An event that reinforces the message that we strive to send early and often as we care for patients—that pursuits not typically associated with people with disabilities can be enjoyed by people with new disabilities due to stroke, traumatic brain injury, etc.

Another example of this is our adapted sports program, led by Peggy Turner. As noted in this issue of the TIRR Journal, Peggy and her program have been recognized nationally for the work they do in using sports and physical activity to enhance rehabilitation and reintegrate people with disabilities back into the community.

Although many rehabilitation hospitals nationally have adapted sports programs, few have offerings with the breadth and scope available here at TIRR Memorial Hermann.

We know that the arts and sports can benefit a person’s well-being, regardless of their health status. At TIRR Memorial Hermann, we see them as an integral part of the care services we offer, but we also know that they can bring much joy to our patients and their families, as well as the communities we serve.

Gerard E. Francisco, MD
Chief Medical Officer
TIRR Memorial Hermann
Professor and Wulfe Family Chair in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth