LIST OF THE 18 MODEL SCI CENTERS IN THE COUNTRY

[BirdeR]

The eighteen SCI rehabilitation programs listed below are receive grants and funding from the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). Called Model Centers, they are supposed to be at the forefront in the treatment and research on spinal cord injury.

Further information on this program is available from:
NIDDR, Med Science Program, M.E. Switzer Building, Room 3430, 303 "C" Street, Washington, DC 20202, 202-205-9194

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Alabama
1. Spain Rehabilitation Center, University of Alabama in Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, 205-934-3330, 205-975-9754 (Fax)

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California
1. Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, Room 130 HB, 7601 East Imperial Highway, Downey, CA 90242, 310-940-7161, 310-803-5623 (Fax)

2. Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, 751 South Bascom Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128, 408-885-2000, 408-885-2028 (Fax)

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Colorado
1. Craig Hospital, Rocky Mountain SCI Center, 3425 Clarkson Street, Englewood, CO 80110, 303-789-8220, 303-789-8740 (Fax)

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Georgia
1. Shepherd Spinal Center, Georgia Regional SCI Center, 2020 Peachtree Road, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-350-7353, 404-350-7596 (Fax)

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Illinois
1. Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 250 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 619, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-908-3425, 312-908-1819 (Fax)

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Massachusetts
1. Boston University Medical Center, 88 East Newton Street, F-511, Boston, MA 02118, 617-638-7300, 617-638-7313 (Fax)

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Michigan
1. University of Michigan, Model SCI Care System, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Room NI-2A09, 300 North Ingalls Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 734-763-0971, 734-936-5492 (Fax), forchm@umich.edu

2. Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, S.E. Michigan SCI System, 261 Mack Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48201, 313-745-1095, 313-745-1063 (Fax)

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Missouri
5R01 Rusk Rehabilitation Center, 1 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65212, 573-882-6271

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New Jersey
1. Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Inc., 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052, 201-731-3600 X 250, 201-325-7027 (Fax)

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New York
1. Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave Levy Place, Box 1240, New York, NY 10029, 212-241-9654, 212-348-5901 (Fax)

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Ohio
1. Dept. of PM&R, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 Metro Health Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109-1998, 216-778-3483, 216-778-5560 (fax)

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Pennsylvania
1. Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, 11th & Walnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-955-6573, 215-955-3729 (Fax)

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Texas
1. The Institute for Rehab. & Research, Texas Medical Center, 1333 Morsund Avenue, Houston, TX 77030, 713-797-5910, 713-799-7017 (Fax)

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Virginia
1. VCU/MCV Spinal Cord Injury Model System, Virginia Commenwealth University, Box 980677 Richmond, VA 23298-0677, 804-828-0861, 804-828-5074 (Fax)

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Washington
1. University of Washington, Rehabilitation Medical Center, RJ-30, 1959 N.E. Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, 206-543-8171, 206-685-3244 (Fax)

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Wisconsin
1. Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226, 414-259-3645, 414-259-7927 (Fax)
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[angel7]

I wouldn't recommend The Institute for Rehab and Research in Texas. I went through TIRR. Their weren't enough techs and the equipment was antiquated. Their were other worse things that happened at TIRR but I won't go into them here.

All just my own personal opinion.

Debbie

[marmalady]

to Wise and BirdeR

This is an excellent resource for the newbies posting re questions about rehab. Is there anywhere permanent on the forums where this info could be posted? With the caveat that we are not recommending any one, that it's just a listing to give folks somewhere to start. (Debbie, read your post!)

Thank you again BirdeR!

_____________
Tough times don't last - tough people do.

[Wise Young]

I am going to move this thread to the Doctors and Clinics Forum. It is beginning to look as if that Forum is going to fail for the lack of posts and attention. Wise.

[webbtj]

Anyone have current info or opinions on TIRR? We are considering admitting our daughter and it seems like the only specialized hospital in driving distance of where we live (in Louisiana). It scored high on the "Best Hospitals" list, but we know how facilities don't always live up to reputations. Our daughter is not a "jock" and she did not respond well to the last facility's high school football coach motivational tactics (C'mon - you're tougher than that-push harder), especially with medical complications and ineffective pain management. We are looking for a facility that concentrates on education, everyday life skills, coping, socialization and a supportive therapy approach.

[SCI-Nurse]

The above list is significantly out of date. I would recommend instead using the Model System website (http://www.ncddr.org/rpp/hf/hfdw/mscis/), as well as the www.carf.org website to research potential SCI rehabilitation programs. One or the other (or both) of these organizations ideally should have accredited the SCI program.

In addition, for active duty military or military veterans in the USA, you should seriously consider a VA SCI Center (all 22 of which are CARF accredited): http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/spinalcfs.html

TIRR is a Model System Center, and has a good reputation in general.

(KLD)

[CapnGimp]

I went through TIRR in 1996. The medical education of the patient is TREMENDOUS! THAT alone helped me more than anything. The staff was perhaps the best interpersonal relationship, supportive, understanding and educated that could be asked for in my opinion.
They didn't at that time have some of the equipment that has been listed RECENTLY at some of the sites posted about here. You could check that with a trip or call I suppose.
They have been doing this for many years, since the 50s if I remember correctly. Have a large financial support system through their various foundations. Located right in the Medical Center, Colleges around. They in my opinion train you very well for life after injury.
I had somewhat of a problem attempting some of the training but I was not healed sufficiently at the time and they brought me back a couple of months later to finish.
The only complaint I had was that there was not as much emphasis on trying to regain use of my below injury areas. But I NOW realize that would have been a waste of time, as I had severe damage to the cord and return was not possible.
I think you will be well served by them. Have a consultation with them beforehand and see for yourself.
Baylor and UoT Medical College are nearby, they work closely with them in research and we got to go there to interact with the students, use the book store, etc. Part of the social integration training, and exercise as we wheeled there and around the campus too.
The staff were the most helpful, caring people I have ever been involved with in my life. Some of the nurses would come in on days off and visit me, even prayed with me. We were close in the two seperate months I was there. I personally can only give them HIGH marks.
If I had to do it all again, I would NOT hesitate to go there again.

" We are looking for a facility that concentrates on education, everyday life skills, coping, socialization and a supportive therapy approach"
I'd score them 100% in these areas!
There were also many Outpatient Therapy patients who would return in the evenings and you could talk with them, to see how they handled the new life in months and years after their injury. Another BIG help.

THey also deal in rehab of head trauma patients. I had a friend go through there for that in late 80s. He ironically was with me in my wreck in 96 and was uninjured.

[Jesse's Mom]

Anyone have current info or opinions on TIRR? We are considering admitting our daughter and it seems like the only specialized hospital in driving distance of where we live (in Louisiana). It scored high on the "Best Hospitals" list, but we know how facilities don't always live up to reputations. Our daughter is not a "jock" and she did not respond well to the last facility's high school football coach motivational tactics (C'mon - you're tougher than that-push harder), especially with medical complications and ineffective pain management. We are looking for a facility that concentrates on education, everyday life skills, coping, socialization and a supportive therapy approach.


The therapy room was great when Jess was there in 2003. Of course we dont have any thing to compare it to but the PTs and OTs were great. Jess felt like part of a big family. However, the staff on the floors were pretty disgusting. The nurses relied on the techs to do almost everything. If I wouldnt have been there pushing the techs, I think he would have been late every day for his therapy times. BUT, I would still say go to TIRR. Jess was injured at the same time a young man in MN was and he stayed in MN for therapy at (I wont name the place) and Jess was doing everything for himself while the para still had to have his Mom do his BP. He wasnt trained in MN to take care of himself.


Oh, and if you do choose TIRR, look up Rhonda, Jesse's PT. They became such good friends. She cried her eyes out when he left. One year ago we went to TIRR to visit, she was off but loaded up her baby and came to TIRR just to see him. I hope if you go you get Rhonda PT and Eric OT...whatever, just mention Jesse Honl.