May Is Stroke Awareness Month

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Patrick McGehee listened intently to an interview on TV about a woman discussing her recovery from stroke. At the time, he didn’t know his body would soon be experiencing something so similar. “I remember sitting there watching her on Oprah and I was amazed by all that she went through and just a few months later I had my stroke. I just couldn’t believe it happened to me.”

The woman featured in that interview was Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor. A Harvard trained and published neuroanatomist and professor, Dr. Taylor suffered a brain hemorrhage in 1996. With her background, she was all too familiar with what was happening to her at that time. For the next eight years, she worked hard to recover from the effects of her stroke and went on to author the New York Times bestselling book – “My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey”, detailing her experience. She was also selected as one of TIME Magazine’s Most Influential People in the World for 2008 and was a premiere guest on Oprah’s Soul Series webcast and a special guest on the Oprah Show in October 2008.

McGehee will soon meet Dr. Taylor in person where she will be the featured speaker.

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Stroke Patients Walk Again, Regain Hand Control At South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital
New Therapy, New Results for Many

Stroke patients and other patients suffering from upper and lower extremity paralysis caused by central nervous system injuries or disease will find new treatment options at South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital, the NESS H200® Hand Rehabilitation System and the wireless NESS L300™ Foot Drop System from Bioness, Inc. of Valencia, CA.

The innovative functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems help patients recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and incomplete spinal cord injury regain muscle control, giving them more function, more freedom, more life.

STRH is the first and only rehab hospital in the Rio Grande valley to offer this new advanced technology. A free seminar and screening for patients living with Stroke, MS, Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury will be held on Thursday, November 12th from 9:00 to 11:00 am or 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Click here to learn more

9.29.09 - TEACHER WINS BATTLE AGAINST SERIOUS DISORDER

The bell at Putegnat Elementary had already rung, and a hush gradually fell over the school’s hallways after the morning shuffle of backpacks and notebooks. Only a small boy with a mop haircut interrupted the silence as he rushed out of class to the water fountain.

"Ah, ah, ah, not so fast," a voice reprimanded in the distance. The boy’s eyes widened and his pace obediently slowed, when he saw Nancy Skidmore leaning on her silver metal walker a few steps away.

"That’s better," she said, smiling.

At 5 feet, Skidmore is a petite 53-year-old woman battling the last traces of Guillain-Barré, a rare neurological disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system — and that in the worst cases, such as her own during its peak of severity, paralyzes a person almost completely.

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STRH CELEBRATES NATIONAL REHABILITATION WEEK

Even after Nancy Skidmore was diagnosed with Guillian-Barre, a serious neurological disorder, she always knew she would win the battle and return home. It took her over three months of rehabilitation, but she accomplished her goal.

It is that kind of spirit and courage that South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital celebrates during National Rehabilitation Week. The week is designated 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 renew our nation’s commitment to fulfill the unmet needs of people with disabilities.

A special celebration will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at noon in the STRH Therapy Gym. Skidmore and her team of therapists will have the honor of accepting a proclamation from State Representative Eddie Lucio III to commemorate her success and National Rehab Week (September 20-26).

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Empathy - Relay for Stroke, Friday May 22

In observance of National Stroke Awareness Month, South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital employees will be participating in “Empathy - Relay for Stroke” on Friday, May 22 starting at 3 p.m.

There will be several events based on day-to-day activities with the challenge being that the contestants will have to try and complete the tasks with a deficit that would be typical of a stroke survivor. The goal is to raise awareness and experience the challenges stoke patients have to face.

Click here to learn more

5.10.09 - Brain injury affects many

March was Brain Injury Awareness Month. On Friday, March 27, our CEO (Jessie Eason Gonzales), Director of Case Management (Corina Humphreys) and I attended a Brain Injury Symposium in San Antonio. Little did I know I would be, ironically, returning with a concussion. Here is my story:

One of our specialized programs at South Texas Rehabilitation Hospital is our Neuro Program, which encompasses rehab for stroke, neuro (Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, etc.) and brain injury patients. So when we received an invitation to attend a Brain Injury Symposium in San Antonio, we were excited about the opportunity to learn more about Brain Injuries, network with other rehab hospitals and of course get ideas that would help our program.

Click here to learn more

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.