Nashville, Tenn. – Saint Thomas Health Services announced a comprehensive expansion of its neurosciences division today. The new additions include occupational, speech and physical therapists, all formerly with Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital, as well as a renowned neuropsychologist.

Currently, neurology patients are underserved in Middle Tennessee, with STHS being one of only three regional providers that offer a multidisciplinary approach. With a larger and more diverse staff, Saint Thomas Health Services aims to better care for patients in its service area, where almost 15% increase in stroke incidents is expected between 2007 and 2012 (Thomson Reuters).

"Stroke is a serious cardiovascular disease which ranks as the third leading cause of death behind cancer and heart disease. The devastating impact of stroke on the people of Middle Tennessee is very concerning and our growing neuroscience team seeks to comprehensively address this issue," said Donna Nave, Saint Thomas Health Services Neurosciences Service Line leader.

"Saint Thomas Health Services remains at the forefront of the delivery of neurological care, and takes a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team approach to the diagnosis and treatment of people suffering from neurological diseases."

A large part of this expansion is the growth of the Outpatient Rehabilitation division--which includes the occupational, speech and physical therapists. This team is developing an extensive neurological program which is targeted at patients with neurological conditions, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis or Cerebral Palsy.

Outpatient Rehabilitation’s therapists, with an average of 16 years experience evaluate the specific needs of the patient, and select a technique or a combination of techniques to serve the individual's needs using the following disciplines:

• Occupational Therapy, including self-care skills and treatment activities that promote functional use of the hand and arm.
• Speech Therapy, including swallowing therapy and cognitive retraining.
• Physical Therapy, including gait analysis and training to promote improved skills for walking.

"With the new additions to our team and other upcoming expansions to services, we are able to provide the Nashville community with the most complete approach to neurological rehabilitation," said Trent Nessler, Managing Director of Saint Thomas Health Services Outpatient Rehabilitation.

The new staff members include:

• Licensed neuropsychologist Gary Solomon, Ph.D.;
• Occupational therapists Kirsty Livingston and Shelley Pevahouse;
• Physical therapists H. Barbee Majors, Danielle Stroller and Rachel Taylor; and
• Speech pathologist Bonnie Wagner.

About Outpatient Rehabilitation
A division of Saint Thomas Health Services, Outpatient Rehabilitation provides healthcare, sports medicine and outpatient rehabilitation services through its two branches, Baptist Sports Medicine and Life Therapies. With over 40 licensed therapists, we have the right specialist for you. Our clinics are conveniently located throughout Middle Tennessee and we offer Sports/Orthopedic rehab, Neurological physical, occupational and speech therapy, Lymphedema, Vestibular rehab, Pediatrics, Women's Health, Worker's Comp/FCEs, pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapy, and speech/voice therapy. For more information, call 284-7555.

Baptist Sports Medicine, a division of Saint Thomas Health Services, provides healthcare, sports medicine and outpatient rehabilitation services. With over 40 licensed therapists, we have the right specialist for you. Our clinics are conveniently located throughout Middle Tennessee and we offer Sports/Orthopedic rehab, Neurological physical, occupational and speech therapy, Lymphedema, Vestibular rehab, Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Worker’s Comp/FCEs, pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapy, and speech/voice therapy.