“Spinal Cord Injuries & Disorders Expo” Hunter Homes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia 23249 – September 18, 2009

Spinal Cord Injury & Disorders

About The Program:

The Spinal Cord Injury & Disorders Service at Hunter Homes McGuire Veterans Health Administration began operations in 1947 and is one of the 23 spinal cord injury centers in the Veterans Affairs Medical Center System.

The Service is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and affiliated with the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Model Spinal cord system. Richmond serves 14 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers across 10 states. We also receive patients from Department of Defense Medical Centers and private hospitals.

The Spinal Cord Injury & Disorder Service multidisciplinary teams provide lifetime care and coordination of medical and equipment needs for veterans with spinal cord injuries. The service is comprised of 80 inpatients beds, an outpatient clinic and a 20 bed lodger unit. Our service typically handles 500 admissions per year, provides rehabilitation services to approximately 35 newly injured veterans annually, and counts nearly 1,000 outpatient visits each year.

For patients with new injuries or new problem:

Diagnostic, surgical and early post-injury management is provided. Our rehabilitation program is designed to maximize physical and psychological independence. Beyond the rehabilitation phase, the team provides ongoing follow-up care including primary care; preventive care and specialty care in areas where spinal cord injured patients are prone to experience unique problems. Specialty care services are provided in the medical center for all medical and surgical sub specialties.

Richard (Rich) Seely Jr, Director, Home Construction & Designs for the DVCH

Richard (Rich) Seely Jr, Director, Home Construction & Designs for the DVCH spent the day bringing veterans and family members and visitor to the awareness and needs of the veteran especially in the home with Spinal Cord Injuries & Disorders.

SAM SCHMIDT’S PARALYSIS FOUNDATION: The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF) helps individuals overcome spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders by funding scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technological advances. This research benefits stroke victims and people diagnosed with ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. SSPF funds its national Day at the Races program and quality of life grants to organizations throughout the country benefiting people with paralysis and other life challenges. It also provides college scholarships for people with spinal cord injuries / paralysis.

The Foundation works tirelessly in its advocacy efforts both locally and nationally on behalf of the disabled.

For more information visit: www.samschmidt.org