According to the CDC, fall death rates among adults age 65 and older increased about 41% from 2012 to 2021. From 2021-2022, in the WakeMed Trauma units at Raleigh Campus and Cary Hospital, the upward trend in falls has also been evidenced — with a 8% increase in falls-related trauma among patients 65+. Fall prevention is critically important as […]
Category: Rehab/Physical Therapy
Taking New Steps with Technology
At WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital, therapeutic technologies have become an integral part of patient treatment over the past decade. These specialized therapeutic interventions help patients navigate their own unique paths to healing. The treatment plan for each patient is far from one-size-fits-all. “As therapists, we want to optimize treatment time with our patients. Therapeutic technologies that […]
A Will to Win: Olivia Jacob’s Story
Olivia Jacobs was born with the attributes of a winning athlete. With passion, self-confidence, self-discipline and resilience, she channeled her competitive spirit into her most beloved sport: basketball. For years, she was motivated and optimistic about her future as a high school and even collegiate athlete, but setbacks followed. A Debilitating Knee Injury In November 2020, […]
Fighting Congestive Heart Failure with an Advocate Who Cares: Jade DeBerry’s Story
Jade DeBerry’s story began in February 2007, when at just 23 years old, she experienced a severe cough and shortness of breath. Jade visited the emergency room where a series of tests and scans were run, including one to test her ejection fraction rate. An Idiopathic Congestive Heart Failure Diagnosis An ejection fraction rate is […]
Amputation after a Cat Bite: Tom Keck’s Story
After retirement, Tom Keck became a hobby craftsman, making upgrades and repairs around his home. In 2017, while working on a home project, Tom fell off his ladder. Unfortunately, the fall was severe, resulting in several crushed ribs that impacted his spleen. He had to have his spleen removed. The years went by, and Tom […]
An Injured Athlete and a Team that Wouldn’t Give Up: Savannah Anderson’s Story
Strong-willed, compassionate, loving, an animal whisperer: these are the words Gwen Anderson (a mom and WakeMed employee) uses to describe her highly athletic daughter, Savannah Anderson, who began showing horses at the young age of five. “She loves animals,” shares Gwen, “especially her three horses. She is also persistent, so when she sets a goal, […]
Waking Up to the Good Life After Coma: Nigeria McMichael’s Story
Independence Day is a great time to get together with friends and family, cookout on the grill and watch celebratory fireworks. For Nigeria McMichael, the 2021 event was an especially wonderful time since her family had not been able to get together in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Loved ones came from […]
Virtual Reality in Rehab Therapy
History of Virtual Reality in Health Care Dating back to 2011, researchers noted that virtual reality (VR) was proven an effective methodology for rehabilitative treatment. “In clinical settings and experimental studies, participants immersed in VR experienced reduced levels of pain, less general distress/unpleasantness and report[ed] a desire to use VR again during painful medical procedures.” […]
Looking Under the Hood: How WakeMed Heart & Vascular Physicians Saved a Car Dealer’s Life
WakeMed cardiologist Chelsea Ngongang, MD, FACC, walked into a car dealership in December 2019. She was greeted by Roy Roth, who sold her the vehicle of her dreams, and their lifesaving friendship began. Roy says, “I was fortunate enough to have been the one to greet her that day. She pulled out her cell phone […]
Program Spotlight: Neuropsychology
Director of WakeMed Neuropsychology Laurie Leach, PhD, ABN, explains what’s next for the program in 2023. WakeMed is home to one of Wake County’s most accomplished brain and spine health centers as well as comprehensive rehabilitation programs — housed within the rehab division is WakeMed’s neuropsychology program. What is Neuropsychology? But, what exactly is neuropsychology? […]
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