Meet Our Rehab Team

Child life specialists are trained professionals with expertise in helping children and their families cope with health care experiences. Child life specialists minimize stress and anxiety of hospitalization through preparation and procedural support. They use play, developmentally appropriate language and teaching aids to increase patients’ and siblings’ understanding of illness, injury or diagnosis. Child life specialists provide individual or group play to aid in coping and adjustment opportunities.

The clinical nutritionist assesses the child’s nutritional status. They formulate a plan of care when there is nutritional risk, following the child’s progress throughout the rehabilitation process.

Early intervention teachers provide services to children from birth to age 5 who either have developmental delays or are at risk for developmental delays. They perform a developmental screening on each child and participate in developmental play sessions. A referral may be made to appropriate community services prior to discharge.

The family is the primary advocate for the child’s needs and desires. Families provide continuous support throughout the acute stage, into rehabilitation and when the child returns home. The family provides detailed and insightful information about their child’s personality, interests and learning style.

Licensed massage therapists use various techniques to enhance relaxation, relieve muscle tension and pain, reduce anxiety, enhance self-esteem and increase circulation, muscle strength and flexibility. They focus on parent teaching and enhancing feelings of safety and comfort.

Music Therapists use music and music interventions to target the motor, cognitive, sensory, emotional and/or social needs of the patient. Treatment focuses on using the way the brain responds to music to support the patient’s rehab goals through the use of instruments, singing, songwriting, etc. Music therapy interns function under the direction of the music therapist.

The neuropsychologist provides specialized evaluation of cognitive processes associated with traumatic and nontraumatic brain injuries. Neuropsychological evaluation is typically completed toward the end of the inpatient rehabilitation stay. The results of the evaluation assist the physician and therapists in understanding the extent of the cognitive problems and aid in determining specialized school needs for discharge.

Occupational therapists address physical, perceptual and cognitive deficits. The OT works on self-care skills such as feeding, grooming and dressing. They provide adaptive equipment if necessary, along with special techniques to enhance independence. They work on building strength and coordination of the arms and hands. The OT also works with the speech therapist to ensure eating and swallowing skills are performed safely.

Physical therapists assist patients with their gross motor skills. They work on strengthening the body and legs to assist in mobility, transfers and walking as well as working to improve the child’s balance during sitting and standing activities. Physical therapists also assess the child’s coordination skills, such as running, hopping and jumping.

A physiatrist is a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). Physiatrists are trained in caring for physically disabled patients. They have an expertise in medical management and the prescription of braces and wheelchairs. Physiatrists are skilled in working with the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team to maximize the benefits of therapeutic interventions. PM&R residents, fellows and medical students function under the attending physiatrist.

The discharge planner is the patient advocate, who promotes the participation of the patient and family on an ongoing basis in the discussion and decision-making process as it relates to plans, goals and status. The discharge planner also maintains communication with family, primary care physicians, payers and rehabilitation team members. In addition, they coordinate discharge planning for successful return to home, school and the community.

The rehabilitation psychologist assists the child and family with psychological issues such as agitation, anxiety, confusion and depression. The psychologist also assists the child and family in coping with the injury or illness and adapting to functional life changes.

The school liaison coordinates with families, schools, and the medical team to establish a plan for return to learning by communicating the child’s needs and recommendations. The school liaison provides support through the guidance of special education planning, documentation, and facilitation of school reintegration when appropriate.

The social worker advocates for the child and the family. They evaluate how the child’s injury or illness has affected family life and provide support and assistance in the utilization of resources in the community prior to discharge.

The speech-language pathologist addresses communication and language skills. They work on listening, speaking and thinking skills and help the child with following directions and memory skills. Speech language pathologists also work with the occupational therapist to ensure eating and swallowing skills are performed safely.

The teacher on the rehabilitation unit is contracted through Columbus City Schools and provides educational services for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. They maintain contact with your child’s school and offer academic support tailored to your child’s developmental and recovery level, helping ensure continued educational progress during their stay.

The therapeutic recreational specialist uses recreational or leisure activities to improve or maintain physical, mental, emotional and/or social functioning. Group activities are offered to encourage socialization and peer interaction. Community reintegration activities are used to practice daily living skills, mobility skills, street safety and other necessary life skills.

The goal of a rehabilitation nurse is to assist the child in restoring and maintaining maximum health. Nurses conduct ongoing assessments of medical, physical, safety and cultural needs. They help the child and family incorporate what they have learned in therapy into their daily routine on the unit. Nursing clinical leaders are certified rehab nurses who are expert resources for the nursing staff and families. Patient care assistants (PCAs) and nursing students function under the direction of the RN.