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9.04.08 - Angela
Burton
Goes
Home
From
Hospital
A
prominent
member
of
our
community
is
released
from
a
rehabilitation
hospital.
Weeks
ago,
Brownsville
Chamber
of
Commerce
President,
Angela
Burton
was
injured
after
being
hit
by
a
truck,
while
riding
her
motorcycle.
It
was
an
emotional
day
for
Burton,
and
her
loved
ones,
as
she
went
home
from
the
South
Texas
Rehabilitation
Hospital.
Click
here for
KVEO-TV
coverage.
Click
here for
Brownsville
Herald
coverage.
10.05.07 - STRH
CELEBRATES NATIONAL REHABILITATON
WEEK
It’s
been said by some researchers that laughter is the best medicine.
South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital is taking this to heart and making
laughter and comedy the central theme of National Rehabilitation
Week which is being held nationwide September 16th through the 22nd.
The week is designed to promote the value of rehabilitation, highlight
the capabilities of people with disabilities; to salute the professionals
who provide service to people with disabilities; and to renew the
nation’s commitment to fulfill the unmet needs of people with
disabilities.
STRH is Brownsville’s only in-patient rehab hospital which
offers rehab services for patients who have suffered functional deficits
as the result of injury or illness. “Since it’s opening
in May of 2005, we have helped over 1,500 patients regain independence
and a renewed sense of self-sufficiency.” said Jessie Eason
Gonzales, CEO.
In honor of National Rehabilitation Week, fun and humorous activities
for patients and employees will be held throughout the week. Comedies
will be shown every evening in the Hibiscus Café on a big
screen TV for patients and their families, while employees will be
showing off their talent by performing karaoke or stand-up comedy
act during a luncheon on Wednesday. Patients will also be designing
their own funny hat during occupational therapy sessions.

“We thought this was a fun way to celebrate what this week
is all about, and that’s helping patients return to everyday
living and thanking our staff for their hard work and dedication
to our
patients.” said Eason Gonzales. “We want everyone to
have fun and laugh.”
“I believe that if people can get more laughter in their lives,
they are a lot better off.” says Steve Wilson, MA, CSP, a psychologist
and laugh therapist. “They might be healthier too. Yet researchers
aren’t sure if it’s actually the act of laughing that
makes people feel better. A good sense of humor, a positive attitude,
and the support of family and friends might play a role, too.”
“The effects of laughter and exercise are very similar,” says
Wilson. “Combining laughter and movement, like waving your
arms, is a great way to boost your heart rate.”
Here are some effects laughter has on the body:
• People who laugh heartily on a regular basis have lower standing
blood pressure than the average person.
• Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases infection fighting
antibodies.
• Laughter can be a great workout for your diaphragm, abdominal,
respiratory, facial, leg and back muscles.
• Laughter stimulates both sides of the brain to enhance learning.
• Laughter eases muscle tension and psychological stress.
To learn more about STRH visit our website at STRH.ernesthealth.com
or call us for a tour at 956.554.6000.

Jessie Eason Gonzales, CEO, was presented with a
proclamation in
honor of National Rehabilitation
Week by the City of Brownsville
4.06.07 - Press
Release – South
Texas Rehabilitation
Hospital’s Specialized
Brain Injury Program. Click
here to read article.
09.15.06 - LOCAL
FOOTBALL PLAYER SERVES AS INSPIRATION FOR NATIONAL REHABILITATION
WEEK
Fernando Enriquez would rather be playing football; the
17-year old Rivera High School senior is instead praying
he can miraculously recover from the tragic accident he
suffered in a football scrimmage. In the meantime, rehabilitation
is now a major part of his life.
Enriquez suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury making
a tackle he successfully executed numerous times over the
years. He is now unable to move his legs, but he is recovering
sensation and movement to his upper extremities. He and
his family are hopeful about his future.
“My goal is to walk,” he said.
Enriquez is just one of the many reasons why South Texas
Rehabilitation Hospital will be celebrating National Rehabilitation
Week, which is September 17 through the 23rd. The week
is designed to promote the value of rehabilitation, highlight
the capabilities of people with disabilities; to salute
the professionals who provide service to people with disabilities;
and to renew our nation’s commitment to fulfill the
unmet needs of people with disabilities.
“We are celebrating by acknowledging all our past and current
patients we have had the honor of helping return to everyday
living,” said Jessie Eason Gonzales, CEO. “We
also want to thank our wonderful staff who is very caring
and dedicated to our patients.”
In honor of National Rehabilitation Week, South Texas Rehabilitation
Hospital would like to invite the community to a Health
Expo on Saturday, September 23 from 9 a.m.-noon The Health
Expo will feature numerous activities which highlight rehabilitation.
They include: blood pressure and glucose check-ups; educational
information on relaxation techniques, benefits of exercise
and healthy diet choices. Therapists will be on hand to
conduct walker and cane adjustments along with demonstration/information
on Vital Stim Therapy, which helps patients with swallowing
disorders.
In addition, two medical lectures are scheduled. Dr. Surya
Raguthu, STRH Medical Director and Physiatrist, will present
information on “Rehabilitation for Parkinson’s
Disease” at 10 a.m. ; Dr. Luis Gaitan, Neurologist
and Neurophysiologist, will present “Stroke 101,
Identifying risk factors” at 11 a.m. Patients who
have previously suffered a stroke and may still need rehabilitation
will also have the opportunity to be evaluated for further
intervention
Tours of the facility will also be offered. For more information,
please call 956.554.6000.
05.25.06 - “CHALLENGES
MET…..LIVES TOUCHED” STRH Celebrates One Year
Anniversary
Patients and employees of South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital will celebrate
hundreds of successful challenges met at the one year anniversary celebration
and patient reunion on Thursday, May 25. The festivities will start at 4 p.m.
with remarks by patients and employees starting at 4:30 p.m.
For the past year, South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital has been helping patients
recover from debilitating illnesses and injures and re-gain a sense of independence
and self sufficiency. STRH is Brownsville’s only acute rehab hospital and
Cameron County’s only free-standing rehab hospital.
"We
have had the honor of touching so many lives over
the past year and they have equally touched all
our lives” said Jessie Eason Gonzales, CEO.
According to medical literature, patients receiving rehabilitation in an inpatient
rehab facility are more than likely to be discharged home than those receiving
services in other settings.
"Our team approach is guided by our philosophy that every patient deserves
a chance," said
Eason Gonzales. "We
work together with the sole focus being getting our patients to a level that
they can care for themselves at home. We are
very
proud of our outcomes, and the fact that last year we discharged to home
85% percent
of our patients speaks to the caring and dedicated staff."
From stroke, amputee, brain injury and spinal cord injury patients, former
patients credit the staff and facility to their recovery.
"I received outstanding care,” said Meredith Guerin. “So
many people gave so much time and energy, all for my welfare. It’s
humbling. I can’t
say enough. This is the best," she
said.
The patient reunion will allow former patients and their families an opportunity
to come back and visit the staff and celebrate “challenges met and
lives touched.”
05.11.06 -
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY: THE PROFESSION THAT
FOCUSES ON LIFE SKILLS
For millions of people, the service of occupational therapy is a lifeline. People
of all ages receive it to help them participate in the activities of their daily
life. Sometimes people need occupational therapy to do the things we take for
granted, like getting dressed, being productive at school or work, eating unassisted,
even socializing.
That is why, the South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital would like to thank
it’s
Occupational Therapists and Certified Occupational Therapist Assistants in
helping to make a difference in the lives of their patients, said Jessie
Eason Gonzales,
CEO.
"Occupational therapy doesn’t just treat medical conditions, it helps people
stay engaged in the activities that give them pleasure or a sense of purpose,
despite the challenges,” said Eason Gonzales.
Occupational therapists do this by helping people surmount their disabilities
or medical conditions to do everyday things. The therapists consider the
whole person when developing a therapy plan and work closely with the facility’s
medical director and other therapy and nursing professionals to ensure a comprehensive
approach to the patient’s rehabilitation.
The South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital is the only in-patient acute rehab hospital
in Brownsville and the only free-standing rehabilitation hospital in Cameron
County. The 40-bed facility, who will be celebrating its 1 year anniversary May
16, offers occupational, physical and speech therapy to patients who have suffered
a debilitating illness or injury.
"Our goal is to help our patients recover quickly and return home with a
renewed
sense of self-sufficiency,” said Eason Gonzales.
02.16.06
- South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital
hosts Stroke Awareness Health Fair on February 18th. Click
here to learn more.
06.22.05 - South
Texas Rehabilitation Hospital celebrates grand opening. Click
here to learn more.
05.01.2005 – South
Texas Rehabilitation Hospital launches advertising campaign
for South. Click
here to view print ads and outdoor billboards.
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