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The Brain Injury Program at National Rehabilitation Hospital is the busiest in the Washington, DC area, treating more than 200 patients every year. The program is renowned for innovative care that uses repetition to expand on small, incremental gains in recovery to achieve the best possible results.
This focused and proven method of care is the reason why so many people, including politicians, military service members and entertainers, choose NRH.
About the Condition
The result of a trauma to the head can range from a minor bump on the skull to a devastating brain injury. Some head injuries can result in serious and prolonged brain damage. The signs and symptoms of a head injury may occur immediately or develop slowly over several hours.
Who We Treat
We treat patients with all types of brain injury and illness, including:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Brain tumors
- Infections
- Brain hemorrhages
The NRH Continuum of Care
Before discharging a patient, our Team will recommend services the patient will need in order to transition to the next level of care. This might include our Day Treatment Program or Outpatient Services through NRH Regional Rehab. We also offer access to quality skilled nursing facilities and home care through the MedStar Visiting Nurses Association. Our job is to build a roadmap for your recovery — and to support you along the journey as you rebuild your life.
Team Highlights
- Dr. Michael Yochelson, MD is the Medical Director for the Brain Injury Program. Dr. Yochelson was named a "Best Doctor in America" for 2009-2010.
- Dr. Penny Wolfe, PhD is the Co-Director for the Brain Injury Program.
- The program is directed by physicians who are board-certified in neurology and in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Based on a patient’s individualized plan, the team may include: a physician team leader, rehabilitation nursing, social worker/case manager, psychologist, neuropsychologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, therapeutic recreation specialist, and dietician.
- Spiritual care services are also available.
Program Highlights
- The NRH Brain Injury Program is the only fully accredited CARF Specialty Program of its kind in the Washington, DC area.
- We have a secure, 28-bed specialty unit dedicated to the rehabilitation of patients with brain injury.
- Inpatient care focuses on evaluation of each patient’s injury and impairments, and centers on physical recovery, as well as management of cognitive and behavioral issues and the secondary conditions that can accompany brain injury.
- Short-term and long-term goals are set for patients and reexamined regularly at the care team’s daily meetings.
- Both individual and group therapy are utilized to provide patients the opportunity to practice skills in different environments and to share experiences with other people suffering brain injury.
- Throughout the acute rehab process family and caregivers are a critical part of the treatment team, and receive important training to help them cope with changes in patients’ behavior and skill level.
- The Brain Injury Families & Friends support group meets each month at NRH.
More Information
To learn more about admitting a patient to the Brain Injury Program, see the Admissions & Referrals section.
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