Center for Head Injuries
Edison, New Jersey

Created in 1981, the Center for Head Injuries is regarded as a pioneer in head trauma evaluation and treatment. Through a comprehensive continuum of care, from acute inpatient to long-term, the Center restores real-life skills to those with head injuries so that they may return to their family and community at the maximum level possible. Patients may enter the continuum at any level and may move to other levels during the course of their treatment. The Center was recently featured in the 2007 HBO documentary, “COMA.”

The Center for Head Injuries provides specialized services that are conducted in both individual and group settings and provided by licensed therapists. These services include rehabilitative medicine and nursing, neuropsychology, audiology, and physical, occupational, speech, recreational, vocational and respiratory therapies.

The Center For Head Injuries has been awarded a TBI Model Systems Grant. Residents have the opportunity to participate in ongoing research funded by this grant.

Acute Brain Trauma Unit (BTU)
Edison, New Jersey

Patients are admitted to the BTU at the Center for Head Injuries following medical stabilization for severe head injuries, from cognitive impairment to coma. Evaluation and treatment are provided by an interdisciplinary team, including a physiatrist, a neuropsychologist, nurses, social workers, and physical, occupational and speech therapists.

Extended Recovery Unit (ERU)
Edison, New Jersey

Licensed in the affiliated JFK Hartwyck at Oak Tree Nursing, Convalescent & Rehabilitation Center in Edison, NJ, the Center For Head Injuries’ ERU provides subacute rehabilitation to patients who no longer require acute care, but still need intensive rehabilitation on an inpatient basis. The ERU's individualized programs include coma intervention and intermediate recovery. The ERU's residential activities program improves a patient’s self-esteem and functional abilities through group therapy.

Cognitive Rehabilitation
Edison, New Jersey

The Cognitive Rehabilitation Department at the Center for Head Injuries provides several integrated outpatient programs for individuals who have sustained a traumatic brain injury and require rehabilitation for thinking and memory disorders. Day treatment and day activity programs are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm at JFK Hartwyck at Oak Tree. Self-referral into these programs is accepted.

The Cognitive Rehabilitation Department also features a Transitional Living Program. This program offers supervised care in an eight-bed apartment at the Hartwyck Oak Tree facility for clients who wish to re-enter the community but need help in learning to live independently.

Spasticity Clinic
Edison, New Jersey

The Spasticity Clinic offers specibotulinum toxin injections, nerve blocks, Baclofen pumps, medications, and other therapies and treatments. Several grant-funded clinical trials are presently underway.

Amputee Rehabilitation (Prosthetics and Orthotics Clinic)
Edison, New Jersey

At JRI, the residents participate in patient care with the prosthetics and orthotics team. The team is comprised of a physiatrist, a certified prosthetist/orthotist, a certified pedorthotist and a licensed physical therapist, who evaluate, treat and provide lifetime follow-up care to individuals who have lost a limb. Treatment plans include the fabrication of braces and artificial limbs, as well as the design of custom footwear for diabetic patients who are often plagued by foot problems. The Prosthetics and Orthotics Laboratory is one of only a few facilities in the country to offer CAPOD laser imaging and computer technology to ensure ideal fitting of custom-designed prosthetics. Initial instruction in caring for and using artificial devices is also provided by the team on an inpatient or outpatient basis, followed by long-term physical therapy and continued outpatient prosthetics and orthotics training.

Industrial Rehabilitation Program
New Brunswick, New Jersey

The Industrial Rehabilitation Program fully evaluates Worker’s Compensation patients and follows them from initial evaluation through testing (EMG, etc.) and into the Robert Wood Johnson Work Hardening Program. Residents are taught how to evaluate and assess these patients including using an independent medical evaluation.

Day Rehabilitation Program
Edison, New Jersey

The Day Rehabilitation Program serves clients who require intensive rehabilitation, but do not need to be hospitalized. A cost-effective alternative to inpatient care, day rehabilitation provides the full range of services necessary to help patients modify known skills as well as develop new ones to live independently after a stroke, spinal cord injury, joint replacement, or other illness or injury. A physician coordinates the rehabilitation team, which includes occupational, physical, speech and recreational therapists, a psychologist and social worker. A typical schedule calls for three to five hours of therapy either three or five days per week; the program runs daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Throughout the day, patients participate in individual and group physical, occupational and recreational therapies. The program provides lunch and a snack.

To participate in the program, clients must be well enough to live at home with sufficient support from family and friends. Admission is approved after review of the patient’s medical records from the referring institution or physician. Transportation assistance may be available.

Chronic Pain Clinic
Edison, New Jersey

Physiatrists who are experienced in chronic pain treatment train residents in injection techniques, acupuncture and medication management for the chronic pain patient. Each patient is attended by a team including a physiatrist, a rehabilitation psychologist, a physical therapist, and a social worker.

Outpatient Musculoskeletal and EMG Clinic
Edison, New Jersey

At the Outpatient Musculoskeletal and EMG Clinic, physiatrists who are experienced in musculoskeletal and sports medicine treatment train residents in assessment of this patient population. EMGs and nerve conduction studies are a major part of this rotation. Residents are trained by AAEM-certified faculty.