Inova Rehabilitation Center helps stroke patient regain his active lifestyle

Back In The Swing 

After defense contractor and golf enthusiast Bill Tanner suffered a left-brain stroke, the Rehabilitation Center at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital helped him get back on his feet with expert and caring occupational, physical and speech therapy.

Last February 17 started out like any other Monday for defense contractor Bill Tanner. But as he prepared breakfast before going to work, the unexpected happened.

Tanner felt a sudden, sharp pain jolt through his head.

“I felt a lightning bolt in the back of my head and I noticed my speech started deteriorating and my legs started giving way,” remembers the golf enthusiast.

Recognizing the severity of his situation, Tanner reached for the phone and called a colleague with medical experience. Within minutes, an ambulance arrived to take Tanner to the emergency room. Tests revealed he had suffered a left-brain stroke.

After spending the next six days in the intensive care unit at Inova Alexandria Hospital, Tanner was transferred to Inova Rehabilitation Center (IRC) at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital. With the help of a competent, compassionate team of specialists, he began a slow, sure path to recovery.

At first, Tanner’s right leg was so weak, he relied on a wheelchair to get around. He had so little control over his right arm that he couldn’t raise it high enough to put on a jacket. His speech was slurred and he had trouble writing. Over time, with the help of highly trained occupational, physical and speech therapists, he gradually regained his strength and his faculties.

After successfully completing inpatient therapy, Tanner returned home and enrolled in Inova Mount Vernon’s outpatient Bridge Program. Soon he was able to walk independently and even jog on a daily basis. By mid-June, Tanner was driving to work and playing golf in his spare time.

“The doctors and the therapists were incredible,” says Tanner. “They work together and they’re really there for the patients. They’re just wonderful people, all of them.”

Rehab Care for Alexandria South, Mount Vernon and the DC Metro Region

For patients who have experienced brain, stroke, spinal cord, orthopedic, neurological or workplace injuries, IRC offers extensive restorative services. What sets the center apart from other rehabilitation facilities is its comprehensive services delivered in a top-notch medical setting.

“Having our rehabilitation center located in an acute care hospital is a definite advantage,” says IRC Medical Director Roger Gisolfi, MD. “We have a full battery of consultants who take care of many illnesses on the rehabilitation unit, and if a patient requires additional care they can be transferred into our intensive care unit. Everything is contained in one building.”

Patients come from all over Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC, metro area to IRC, seeking to reclaim independent and active lifestyles following an injury or illness.

New and Improved

To meet the growing demand for its state-of-the-art services, IRC has expanded onto the fifth floor of a brand-new tower at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital. The center now provides 67 patient rooms, 35 of which are private.

“We anticipate we’ll be able to greatly improve the magnitude of our patient care with the new facility,” says Dr. Gisolfi.

The new tower provides a calming, healing environment for patients and their families. Spacious windows bring in plenty of natural light, highlighting the natural green and blue hues on the walls and the genuine wood floors. Nature-inspired artwork adds a serene element to the center’s soothing atmosphere.

“It is very warm and welcoming with a lot of natural light coming in from the windows,” says Liane Boon, Senior Director of Rehabilitation Services at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital. “It’s been very exciting to go through the process, creating, developing and designing the new facility,” she adds. “We received input from our staff and input from patients as we were building it.”

In addition to adding private rooms with pullout couches for families to stay with their loved ones, the center provides a large patient living space featuring comfortable seating and a large-screen TV. The new floor also features a brand-new family day room and a large therapy gym.

“A lot of work went into the expansion, and I think our patients and our community are really going to love it,” says Boon. “I think it’s really going to enhance our program and meet our patients’ needs.”

Certified To Heal

Inova Rehabilitation Center at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital attracts patients from all over the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, regions.

“We have a highly specialized team,” says Liane Boon, Senior Director of Rehabilitation Services at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital. “Most of our therapists have specialty certification in different therapy techniques.” Here is a list of staff certifications at IRC:

  • Certified Rehabilitation Nurse
  • Certified Gerontology Nurse
  • Assistive Technology Professional through RESNA
  • Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist
  • Certified Brain Injury Specialist
  • Lee Silverman Voice Training (LSVT) – LOUD
  • Lee Silverman Voice Training – BIG
  • Vestibular Certification through American Institute of Balance
  • Vital Stim Certification
  • Neuro Certified Specialists through the APTA
  • National Institutes of Health Stroke Certification

Peer Mentor Program

Following a stroke or a brain injury, adjusting to everyday activities such as running errands, paying bills and doing leisure activities can be challenging and sometimes frustrating.

The Peer Mentor Program at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital’s Rehabilitation Center provides a unique opportunity for individuals healing from a stroke or brain injury to learn from mentors who have recovered from the same conditions. By partnering with a mentor, new patients can find out more about rehabilitation and hospitalization plus strategies for adjusting to home and work. If you’re interested in mentoring, call the Outpatient Rehabilitation Office at 703.664.7190.

Back in Action

Click here to learn more about Inova Rehabilitation Center > 

For outpatient services, call 703.664.7190. For inpatient services, call 703.664.7592.

 

Leave a Comment