In recognition of Brain Injury Awareness Month, Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing (RHRW) is hosting an education event on Saturday, April 1, from 8 a.m. to noon. The event will take place in the Reading Hospital Conference Center, Room 1. Brain injury survivors, their families, caregivers, and other community members are invited to attend the event, connect with available resources, and acquire information that can be helpful on the journey to recovery. The event will address strategies for coping with brain injury, memory tools, guidance on mindfulness and meditation, and provide access to community resources.
Speakers include Kevin McDonald, a brain injury survivor and current Vice-Chair of the PA Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board; Allison Albrycht, MS, OTR/L, CBIS; Jessica Walter, MSCCC-SLP, CBIS; Dilip Jindal, MD, Certified Meditation Instructor; and Frances Musto, PsyD, MSN.
“Last year at Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing, we admitted 133 patients with a brain injury diagnosis,” said Kelley Crozier, MD, Chair, Department of Physician Medicine & Rehabilitation. “Events like these are vital to our patients and their care team in providing access to all the necessary resources as they continue to grow and heal after their injury. It is also a wonderful opportunity for patients to connect, speak with, and encourage one another.”
The mission of the Mind Your Brain event at Reading Rehabilitation of Wyomissing is to enhance − through education, advocacy, support, and research − the quality of life for those affected by brain injury, including patients, their families, and caregivers. All those affected by brain injury should, and can, have immediate and equal access to services and support to help lead satisfying and meaningful lives.
Event registration is required, and space is limited. To register, or inquire about the virtual attendance option, contact Nicole Hartman at nicole.hartman@towerhealth.org
Various factors can lead to Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), including a blow to the head, penetration of the skull, or whiplash. You can help prevent brain injury by taking precautions such as wearing a seat belt when driving or traveling in a motor vehicle, using the proper protective equipment during recreational activities, and wearing shoes with non-slip soles. Interested individuals can learn more at Brain Injury Association of America, biausa.org.
RHRW has an 11-bed, secured brain injury rehabilitation unit that provides specialized care for patients with both traumatic and acquired brain injuries. The Brain Injury Unit team includes physicians and a neuropsychologist who maintain special certification and training in brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, and musculoskeletal conditions. Many of our nursing and therapy staff have earned advanced certifications in the rehabilitation and neuroscience fields – a unique attribute of our program.
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 697-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years (and moving up to America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2022) and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.