2009 Annual Report - Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center

2009 Annual Report
Bouncing Back!
Working together to rebuild lives
and achieve amazing outcomes.

“When I left the hospital after
my accident, I went to Mount
Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital.
At Mount Sinai they treated me
like I was their daughter. I don’t
think I would’ve gotten this much
better if it wasn’t for them. I’m
living back on my own and I’m
back to work. There are no
words to express how much
gratitude I have.”
~AMY, PUTNAM CT
On the cover: Dr. Tom Halligan, whose
story appears on page 4, works with
Jen Shockley, his physical therapist, to
increase strength and coordination.
Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital
Board of Directors
Officers
Christopher M. Dadlez
President and Chief Executive Officer
Howard W. Orr
Chairman
Delores Graham
Vice Chairman
P. Anthony Giorgio, Ph.D.
Secretary
Jeannine Mara
Treasurer
Edward S. Johnson, D.D.S.
Assistant Secretary
CONTENTS
Directors
Michael Cummings
Christopher M. Dadlez
Brad Davis
Wendy E. Elberth
P. Anthony Giorgio, Ph.D.
Delores Graham
Rolf Knoll, M.D.
Jeannine Mara
Howard W. Orr
John Suisman
1 Message from the
President and the
Chairman
2 2009 Highlights
3 Message from the
Medical Director
4 A “Christmas Miracle”
6 Acute Rehabilitation Nursing
8 Focus on Physiatry
10 Outpatient Services
12 Mandell MS Center
14 Administration
14 Medical Staff
14 Clinical Services
15 Therapy Staff
16 Mount Sinai Foundation

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE CHAIRMAN
The field of medical rehabilitation is in a state of constant
The spectrum of research activities at the Mandell Center
evolution, largely as a result of recent changes in Medicare policy has broadened as well, positioning Mount Sinai as an increasingly
and pending national healthcare reform legislation. Although important contributor to the Saint Francis Care research portfolio.
there is considerable uncertainty surrounding
At a time that is challenging healthcare
these changes, Mount Sinai Rehabilitation
providers everywhere in ways never before
Hospital continues to adapt its policies,
At a time that is
experienced, the Mount Sinai team remains
procedures and services to remain compliant; challenging healthcare focused on improving outcomes and preserving
ensure appropriate reimbursement; and,
most importantly, provide exceptional
patient care.
For example, in 2009, revenues realized
providers everywhere in ways
never before experienced, the
Mount Sinai team remains
access to the valuable care and services we
provide.
The success stories incorporated into
this annual report underscore that value and
through our growth in stroke patient volume focused on improving reflect the true meaning of “Working Together,
continued to compensate, in part, for
outcomes and preserving Rebuilding Lives.” Patients and families alike
Medicare changes that now exclude most
total joint replacement patients from acute
rehabilitation. This exclusion is unfortunate
because outcome data reflect a more rapid
recovery for joint patients in the acute rehabilitation
setting than any other level of care.
access to the valuable care
and services we provide.
benefit from individualized care provided in a
contemporary setting by a dedicated,
multidisciplinary team of skilled professionals.
It is worth explaining that one of the distinguishing factors
of acute rehabilitation is an intensive 3 hours of scheduled therapy
at least 5 out of 7 days per week. As the only freestanding, acute
inpatient rehabilitation facility in Connecticut, Mount Sinai
Rehabilitation Hospital is well-prepared to provide this intensity
of care.
In our outpatient setting, growth continues at a brisk pace.
The Mount Sinai sites, in Hartford and Bloomfield at the Jewish
Community Center, provide a broad array of services; and the
Mount Sinai Campus site offers warmwater aqua therapy and a
fitness program that many patients continue to use on an
outpatient basis after completing their prescribed treatment.
To date, hospital-based outpatient services are not subject to
therapy caps imposed on other categories of providers.
The Mandell Center for Multiple Sclerosis at Mount Sinai
has enhanced its services to include a complete functional
evaluation for each new patient. The evaluation encompasses
physical and occupational therapy, as well as a speech and
language assessment. By providing the therapy evaluation at
the Center, patients benefit from a comprehensive continuum
of care that is not available elsewhere. The positive
synergy between MS symptom management and rehabilitation
services is well understood and documented in literature.
Christopher M. Dadlez
President and Chief Executive Officer
Howard W. Orr
Chairman

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2009 Highlights
The Connecticut Adaptive Rowing Program (CARP) enjoyed its most
successful season in 2009 with 22 members rowing on Wednesday
evenings and 10 additional members rowing on Monday evenings.
Four teams participated in the Head of the Riverfront Regatta on
October 4, 2009. This is the 3rd year that events were offered in the
adaptive classification.
The Wii Fit ® system proved to be an
effective rehabilitation tool. Fitness video
games that have the user perform lowerbody
balance and weight-shifting activities
help patients with weight-bearing
rehabilitation after an injury or surgery.
The Mount Sinai
Rehabilitation
Hospital participates
in a number of
research projects and
educational training
programs with area
universities and high
schools.
Pet Therapy is a popular
program at the Rehab
Hospital. The dogs and
their human partners
provide comfort and
companionship to patients,
and studies show that pets
can lower heart rate and
blood pressure as well as
being a positive distraction.
The dogs are highly trained
and know how to interact
in a special way with each
individual patient.
Volunteers from the Day Treatment Program continue to assist a
steady stream of customers at the Cream and Two Sugars coffee shop.
Golfers in Motion — Members of the Connecticut Section of the Professional Golfers
Association volunteered in the “Golfers in Motion” program. The program assists golfers
with physical disabilities to get back on the links. The Connecticut Section PGA Foundation
also awarded the program a grant to purchase adaptive golf equipment to maximize the
independence and improve the skills of participants.

A MESSAGE FROM THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital, Connecticut’s only comparisons. So, as Congress continues to wrestle with the
acute rehabilitation hospital, has continued to build on past
complexities of healthcare reform, it is imperative that we advocate
successful initiatives during another busy year.
for continued access to the specialized care and services we provide
I invite you to explore this annual report to gain an
to those in need.
understanding of the importance of outcomes in the field of
I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to our staff for the
rehabilitation. What we like to refer to as a “three-pronged
compassion, commitment, and expertise demonstrated on a daily
approach” to patient care allows an
basis; to our Board of Directors and generous donors for their
interdisciplinary team to actualize each
vision and leadership; and finally to our patients
individualized plan of care.
…as Congress continues who inspire us all. It is an honor and a privilege
While acute rehabilitation involves
many different medical consultants and
ancillary services to address complex medical
conditions, it is our outstanding therapists
to wrestle with the
complexities of healthcare
reform, it is imperative
to serve as Medical Director of Mount Sinai
Rehabilitation Hospital.
(PT, OT and Speech), specialized rehabilitation that we advocate for
nursing and cutting-edge technology; all
continued access to the
coordinated by physicians board certified in
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation that make
the difference in the outcomes.
Mount Sinai outcomes are consistently
superior to regional and national peer
specialized care and
services we provide to
those in need.
Robert Krug, M.D.
Medical Director,
Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital
Some very healthy numbers
659 discharges
10,007 patient days
228 stroke patients,
continues to be highest
inpatient volume
22,539 outpatient
visits, a 5.5% increase
over 2008
6,192 wellness visits
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A Christmas
‘Miracle’
PERFORMED WITH THE HELP
OF AN INTENSE PHYSICAL
THERAPY REGIMEN
Dr. Tom Halligan’s stroke was a thief in the night. As he slept, it
stole away with the left side of his body and the next morning he
woke to a new and frightening reality. When he tried to make his
wife understand that he could not move or get out of bed, she
thought he was pulling one of his jokes on her. After the couple’s
next-door neighbor — an emergency room doctor — confirmed
the seriousness of the situation, an ambulance was called to take
Dr. Halligan to Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. Following
a week of acute care, he was moved to Mount Sinai Rehabilitation
Hospital.
“When Tom came here, the entire left side of his body was
paralyzed,” says Jen Shockley, M.S.P.T., physical therapist. “He was
still being tube-fed because he couldn’t swallow. He had trouble
speaking, he slept a lot and when
he was awake, he couldn’t get out
of bed.”
A retired surgeon with an
active social and community life
before the stroke, Dr. Halligan
recalls how helpless he felt. “I
didn’t realize how difficult a thing
just getting out of bed is,” he says. “They had to hoist me with a
sling into the wheelchair. It was scary. I couldn’t assume that I
would ever do anything I had done before. I had no idea what the
future held.”
What the future held was hard work — in the form of
intense therapy sessions with Jen. In the beginning, progress was
painfully slow. “We started with basic exercises in bed,” Jen
explains. “We got him to roll over, then we worked on sitting up.
“
I couldn’t assume that I would ever do
anything I had done before. I had no idea
what the future held.
”
One of Tom’s biggest obstacles was that he had no awareness of
his deficits. He had what we call a ‘field cut,’ and he simply didn’t
acknowledge his left side. When he sat up, he would tilt to one
side — and not realize what the problem was.”
At one point, Dr. Halligan’s family was told that he was
making insufficient progress and might have to be moved to
another facility. Whether it was the knowledge that he could be
leaving or just his sheer determination to succeed, Dr. Halligan and
his team may never know. But something changed. “You have to
make progress to stay here,” Dr. Halligan points out. “You gotta
stand up.” And stand up he did. Then he walked, using the parallel
bars in the physical therapy room. Within days he had progressed
to a walker and not long after, to a cane.
Ask Dr. Halligan what made
the difference, and he’ll tell you
about his team. Besides Jen, his
team included physiatrist Dr.
Thomas Miller; Carrie Burns, M.S.,
O.T.R./L., C.B.I.S., for occupational
therapy; and Nicole Scinto, M.S.,
C.C.C.-S.L.P., speech language
pathologist, for speech therapy. “I had seamless care,” he says.
“Everyone on my team knew what I needed. They were on top of
the situation — especially Jen.” Indeed, Jen knew that Dr. Halligan
had the capability to work hard in his therapy sessions, and she
saw the time and effort pay off. “Tom had the endurance to
tolerate intense therapy. He was motivated and he took pride in
what he accomplished. He could tell when he did something better
than the day before.”

“I thought she was gonna kill me,” jokes Dr.
Halligan. “I learned that when she asked me if I
wanted to do something, ‘no’ was not an option.
She was a slavedriver — also ingenious.” To help
Dr. Halligan recognize that he was tilting to one
side, Jen would sit him in front of a full-length
mirror and compare his position to hers. She had
him hit a balloon with a badminton racket, an
activity that required not just coordination but
also a light touch. Dr. Halligan also used the Wii
system, which he found challenging. “Standing to
‘bowl’ and ‘golf’ tested my stamina, coordination,
timing and strength,” he says. During a visit from
his grandsons, Jen set up a game with them that
required Dr. Halligan to move sideways to catch a
soft basketball. He didn’t miss a toss. Dr. Halligan
wells with emotion as he recalls that day. “I knew
I was going to be better after that.”
Dr. Halligan spent both Thanksgiving and
Christmas at Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital. On New Year’s
Eve, he went home, walking out of the hospital on his own. “We
called him our Christmas miracle,” says Jen. “Everyone was
astounded.” Following his discharge, he underwent eight weeks of
outpatient therapy and participated in the Adaptive Golf Program,
getting back to the game he loves. He’s also a regular at the Fitness
Center. Perhaps most important, he’s giving back. Each week, he
returns to Mount Sinai
Rehabilitation Hospital as a
volunteer, talking with patients
and their family members,
sharing his experiences and
offering encouragement.
He also volunteers his medical
services at a walk-in clinic.
“I never dreamed I’d get back
to medicine,” he says, beaming.
Fitness video games helped
Dr. Halligan to improve his
balance and coordination
which allowed him to once
again play golf.
Members of Dr. Halligan's treatment team included (from left to right)
Frank Pasini, P.A.-C., Kathy Barone, R.N., Nicole Scinto, M.S., C.C.C.-
S.L.P., Jennifer Shockley, M.S.P.T. and Thomas Miller, M.D.
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On the front lines of
care and recovery
ACUTE REHABILITATION NURSING, 24 HOURS A DAY
“
Every aspect of daily life, from
eating and dressing to taking
medication and transferring from
bed to chair, is an opportunity to put
skills learned in therapy to work.
”
It’s 3 a.m. and rehabilitation is in session as a night nurse guides a
patient toward the bathroom. Here, the same instructions and the same
encouragement are given as during the day. Twenty-four hours a day,
on all three shifts, rehabilitation is woven into the fabric of life at Mount
Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital — and the acute rehabilitation nurse is
there. Fully engaged and integrated with the rehabilitation process,
the nurse advances and reinforces the goals of therapy, all the while
providing ongoing care, education and coordination. This complex mix
of roles — and the challenges that come with it — sets the acute
rehabilitation nurse apart.

“Rehab nursing is very different from
acute care nursing,” explains Amy Calvo, R.N.,
C.R.R.N. “In the acute care hospital, patients are
evaluated, treated, stabilized and discharged.
Here, the focus for most patients is on getting
them home and back to their family, work and
everyday life.” This focus, combined with the
more complex medical needs of today’s patients
(the result of ever-shorter acute hospital stays)
means the rehabilitation nurse must play a
variety of roles. As a caregiver, he or she
performs all the functions normally associated
with nursing. “A patient may not be able to do
much on his or her own at first,” says Amy. “So we’re tending to
basics like feeding, toileting, wound care and skin integrity. And
because acute rehab treats the whole person, we’re addressing
psychological and social needs as well.” As the patient progresses,
caregiving incorporates rehabilitation strategies. Every aspect of
daily life, from eating and dressing to taking medication and
transferring from bed to chair, is an opportunity to put skills
learned in therapy to work. It’s also an opportunity for education.
“We do a heavy amount of teaching,” Amy says. “Every patient
has a discharge plan when they come here and that plan most
often involves the family, because patients will need assistance
when they go home. As educators, we help family members
understand the patient’s medical condition and the stages he
or she will go through over time. We also teach them about
medication, wound care and quality of life issues. And we make
sure the patient understands, as much as possible, what he or
she can do in terms of self-care at home.”
As a member of the rehabilitation team, the acute
rehabilitation nurse is part of a coordinated effort to achieve the
best possible outcome for each patient. Nurses attend weekly team
meetings with physiatrists, physician assistants, therapists, case
managers, consultants and other adjunct staff. “We talk about
After two years of rehabilitation nursing
experience, a registered nurse may qualify
to sit for the Rehabilitation Registered
Nurse certification examination
administered by the Association of
Rehabilitation Nursing (ARN). Candidates
who successfully pass this examination
are awarded the Certified Rehabilitation
Registered Nurse (C.R.R.N.) credential.
where the patient is currently,” Amy explains. “And we go over
therapy and nursing goals.” To ensure these goals and other vital
information are communicated to everyone who comes in contact
with the patient, they are posted on a white board in the patient’s
room. The board may indicate, for example, the patient’s level of
mobility, speech and swallowing abilities, and whether he or she
can use a sliding board to transfer from bed to wheelchair. The
therapy schedule is posted as well. While sharing information is
important, patient privacy is safeguarded. “We’re careful with the
type of information we post,” explains Amy. “And what we do
post is all in our own ‘hieroglyphics.’”
Another vital role of acute rehabilitation nursing is the
collaborative relationship with the case manager. Right from
admission, the rehabilitation nurse and the case manager focus
on preparing patients for their return home, often to a new and
different life. Every dimension of this new life is incorporated into
the discharge planning process and the rehabilitation nurse is an
integral member of the planning team.
Equipment unique to acute rehabilitation nursing includes the
Arjo Sara Lift (a standing lift that allows secure transfers); the
Arjo Maxi Move (a mobile passive floor lift); sliding boards for
patients who can bear weight; special reclining chairs for
showering; and a rotating disk, which allows patients to change
direction without moving their feet.
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Achieving the best quality of life
for each patient
THE PHYSIATRIST TREATS THE WHOLE PERSON,
ADDRESSING PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS.
Acute rehabilitation brings together a unique group of
medical professionals who blend and coordinate their skills and
expertise over the full continuum of care. Overseeing and directing
that care — and the team that provides it — is the physiatrist, a
doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
The practice of physiatry took shape during and after World
War I as doctors began to use “physiotherapy” in “reconstruction
hospitals” to treat injured soldiers. Today, the scope of physiatry has
broadened to restoring function lost through a variety of injuries,
illnesses and disabling conditions. “Physiatry is not
specific to any one disease category,” says
Dr. Thomas Miller, Medical Director, Brain Injury
unit and Day Treatment Program. “It can address
a wide range of problems, from arthritis and
sports-related injuries to amputation,
neurological disorders and brain injury.” At
Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital, the
common denominator for all is an integrated,
team approach to care, personalized for each
patient and overseen by the physiatrist.
“All patients admitted to the hospital
are under the care and supervision of a
“
It is the physiatrist who develops
the rehabilitation plan of care
and assembles the team that will
address the patient’s needs.
”
physiatrist as their primary care physician,” Dr. Miller explains.
“Sometimes there are other consulting physicians — such as
neurologists, cardiologists, orthopedists, urologists, psychologists —
whom we need to bring in or ask questions of.” But it is the
physiatrist who develops the rehabilitation plan of care and

The physiatrist reviews consultations and reports, incorporating the
input of all team members in overseeing the continuum of care.
assembles the team that will address the patient’s needs. Physician
Assistants (PAs) work closely with the attending physiatrist,
handling day-to-day management of medical issues. As Dr. Miller
points out, “The PAs are my right hand. They interact with the
patient and family, work with other team members and
consultants, write medical orders and do discharge paperwork.”
Acute rehabilitation nurses provide patient care 24 hours
a day, complementing and supplementing the work of
occupational, physical and speech therapists and serving
as case managers. Depending on a patient’s particular needs
and goals, consultants such as orthotists, prosthetists and
wheelchair seating specialists may also be part of the
team. “Everybody plays a vital role,” says Dr. Miller. “We like
to say it’s not just a multi-disciplinary team, it’s also an interdisciplinary
team. It’s not only different people doing their
thing; it’s those people doing their thing in a very
coordinated way.”
This kind of coordination enables an intense,
personalized, holistic approach to care — an approach
essential in situations that require a full court press of acute
rehabilitation. A good example is brain injury, where
disability may run the gamut from physical and cognitive, to
behavioral and emotional. “Brain injury is one of the most
complicated situations in rehab,” Dr. Miller says, “because the
brain controls everything we do. Not just the ability to move, but
thoughts and emotions. This has a dramatic impact on the patient
— and his or her family.” Once the level of that impact is assessed
(can the patient walk, speak, swallow, eat, dress?) physical
interventions, special equipment, medication, community resources
and other services are coordinated and implemented to rebuild the
patient’s life, step by step, goal by goal.
In fact, as Dr. Miller says, “Rehabilitation is all about setting
goals — and achieving measurable outcomes. There are very
specific outcomes measurements in rehab that consider all the
different activities of daily living a patient needs to do against his
or her current level of function. Based on how much assistance is
needed with these activities, we give the patient a number, on a
0 to 7 scale — from dependent to independent. Then we reassess
that score throughout his or her stay, and at discharge. The score
not only indicates how the patient is doing, but how the hospital is
performing as a whole.” For many patients, the focus on goals and
outcomes doesn’t end with discharge. Rehabilitation — and the
physiatrist’s role — continue with outpatient care in the day
treatment program. “It’s still intensive rehab,” says Dr. Miller, “and
the team still meets on a regular basis to discuss outpatient goals.”
Care also may extend beyond day treatment with visits to the
physiatrist’s office. Throughout, the emphasis is not just on
restoring function, but also a meaningful life — and hope for the
future. “It’s not just about therapy”, Dr. Miller explains. “It’s also
about attitude.”
Education is an important component of rehabilitation therapy.
Patients and families need to understand the patient’s medical
condition and how they can work together to achieve the best
possible outcome.
Following medical school, physiatrists
complete four additional years of residency
training in physical medicine and
rehabilitation. Specialty board certification
requires written and oral examinations
administered by the American Board of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
(ABPMR).
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Serving the community with a full spectrum of
outpatient rehabilitation care
Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital also provides comprehensive physical rehabilitation
on an outpatient basis for people who have incurred loss of physical and/or cognitive
function through illness, injury, or disease process.
Gym Equipment — The Mountain Laurel Room features modern
therapy and exercise equipment to help patients reach their functional
potential. Highly qualified professional staff work with the patient to
identify treatment goals, discharge plans, and treatment intensity,
frequency and duration in order to maximize results.
Reading Comprehension — Speech and language pathologists
assist patients with activities and exercises to improve reading
comprehension to better perform routine activities of daily living.
Fine Motor Skills — Exercising workstations and
boards are used for treatment and rehabilitation in
developing fine motor skills and exercising forearm,
wrist and hand muscles.
Swimming Pool — The 92-degree water in the therapeutic pool aids
pain control and increases the elasticity of soft tissues. The buoyancy also
aids muscle re-education and builds strength. The pool is an integral part
of the hospital’s outpatient community arthritis program.

GAITRite ® Mat — The GAITRite mat,
a portable, instrumented walkway, is
used to analyze details of walking, such
as gait pattern, step length and width,
that can guide treatment decisions.
S A T E L L I T E F A C I L I T I E S
FES Stim Bike ® — The FES (functional
electrical stimulation) Stim Bike is used to create
patterned movement of the legs, enabling muscles
to perform cycling work even though the user
may have lost voluntary control of those muscles.
Balance Master ® — The Balance
Master provides assessment and
retraining of the sensory and voluntary
motor control of balance, assisting the
patient in achieving better balance control.
Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital also offers a wide variety of outpatient diagnostic and treatment services at off-site
locations. Advanced technology and treatment, delivered by licensed, registered, and certified professional staff, are available
at the Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital Physical Therapy Center at the Mandell Jewish Community Center in Bloomfield
and at the Saint Francis Center for Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine at 95 Woodland Street in Hartford.
Mandell Jewish Community Center Saint Francis Care at 95 Woodland Street
Dynavision — Dynavision is used to
evaluate and treat patients through forced
cognitive training, honing visual reaction
and sensory-motor integration.
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Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital 2 009 Annual Report
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Caring for MS patients and their families
in our community — and beyond
At the Mandell Center for Multiple Sclerosis Care and Neuroscience Research, people with MS
are making strides toward a better life with comprehensive care tailored to their individual needs.
A multi-faceted treatment approach is used to address this complex disease, coupling therapeutic
interventions with advanced technology for improved outcomes.
The Mandell MS Center emphasizes early and ongoing treatment.
The neurology team consists of neurologists and ancillary care
providers with MS expertise who offer comprehensive treatment to
address the full continuum of care. Services include consultations
and evaluations for initial diagnosis and second opinion, as well as
ongoing care. In each case, the goal is to control the disease and
its symptoms.
Rehabilitation services can make an important difference in
helping the MS patient with the challenges of managing everyday
tasks, activities and movements.
A physiatrist leads a skilled team of physical and
occupational therapists and speech and language
pathologists who help to prevent disability and
improve function. Spasticity management,
pain control and suggested functional
adaptation are also part of the
available services. Infusion
therapy is offered in
a suite dedicated
exclusively to MS
patients. Patients at
the Mandell MS Center
benefit from this
comprehensive approach
to care, taking MS treatment
to exciting new levels.
A patient works with a
member of the research team
using the Anklebot ® , a robotic
device designed to improve a
patient’s ability to walk
through computerized therapy.

Research at the Mandell Center, led by Neurologist Albert
Lo, M.D., Ph.D., works specifically on understanding the role of
rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis, from the biological to the
interventional, through a comprehensive research program focused
on improving outcome measures, educating the community and
studying the effect symptoms of the disease have on the daily life
of a person with MS.
A variety of approaches towards understanding the patient’s
perspective of living with the disease, how its various forms
progress, treatment of its symptoms, and even the effects of a
variety of medications are all of interest. Leading-edge technology
such as the Lokomat ® , Ankle-bot ® and GAITRite ® mat, leverage
new discoveries about the adaptability of the human nervous
system.
Working together with the experienced clinical and
rehabilitation staff, the research team believes that progress in the
area of mobility impairments will be made even more rapidly than
ever before.
“
Leading-edge technology such as the
Lokomat ® , Ankle-bot ® and GAITRite ® mat,
leverage new discoveries about the
adaptability of the human nervous system.
”
Members of the Research Team
include from left to right:
Bottom row, Albert Lo, M.D., Ph.D.,
Jennifer Fawcett, Research Coordinator,
Michelle Labas, Research Associate.
Back row, Amy Neal, P.A.-C.,
Wendy McCabe, M.S.P.T.
A patient receives infusion therapy as part of her treatment for MS.
Neurologists are part of the treatment team for patients of
the MS Center, providing evaluation and treatment
recommendations to help control symptoms and disease process.
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Mount Sinai
Rehabilitation Hospital
ADMINISTRATION
Christopher M. Dadlez
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Edward S. Johnson, D.D.S.
Senior Vice President
Robert Krug, M.D.
Medical Director
Maura Murray, CRRN, BSN
Director of Nursing
Joan Page, MA, PT
Director of Clinical Programs
Shirley Fisher
Administrative Associate
MEDICAL STAFF
MEMBERSHIP
ACTIVE STAFF
Raymond Chagnon, M.D.
Robert Krug, M.D.
Thomas Miller, M.D.
ASSOCIATE MEDICAL
STAFF
Michelle Brisman, Ph.D
Cristina Ciocca, Psy.D.
Corinne Harrington, Ph.D.
Beth Karassik, Ph.D.
Howard Oakes, Psy.D.
William Padula, O.D.
Stephen Peters, Ph.D.
Eugene Piasetsky, Psy.D.
Tracey Sondik, Psy.D.
ASSISTANT MEDICAL
STAFF
Denise Abate, APRN
Tara Breslin, PA-C
Sarah Bruns, PA-C
Adrienne M. Clements, APRN
Denise Cologne, PA-C
Concepcion Cortes, APRN
Judith Ebbets, APRN
Eleanor Fritz, APRN
Geriann Gallagher, APRN
Sue Keefe, APRN
Ann Navage, APRN
Amy Neal, PA-C
Francis Pasini, PA-C
Sandra Rabis, APRN
Nancy Scheetz, APRN
PER DIEM STAFF
Ovanes Borgonos, M.D.
Andrew Ganeles, M.D.
Noam Harel, M.D.
Elizabeth Hill, M.D.
Roger Jou, M.D.
Malik J. Kelly, M.D.
Robert Koorse, M.D.
Haklai Lau, M.D.
David Matuskey, M.D.
Syed Naqvi, M.D.
Maria Quinones, M.D.
Ricardo Ruiz, M.D.
Mark Safalow, M.D.
Christian Sarra, M.D.
Attiya M. Siddiqi, M.D.
David Silver, D.O.
Satyarani Tallapureddy, M.D.
Aliz Tercius, M.D.
Jaykumar R. Thumar, M.D.
David Wolpaw, M.D.
Sergio Yero, M.D.
CONSULTANT STAFF BY
SPECIALTY
DENTISTRY
Paul F. Mitchell, D.M.D.
Mark Schmidt, D.D.S.
J. Robert Stanko, D.M.D.
FAMILY MEDICINE
Patricio Bruno, D.O.
Susan Wiskowski, M.D.
MEDICINE
Ronald Bloom, M.D. (Cardiology)
John Cardone, M.D. (Cardiology)
William Carney, M.D. (Nephrology)
Robert Chamberlain, M.D.
(Cardiology)
Russell Ciafone, M.D. (Cardiology)
Leonard Cohen, M.D. (Allergy)
Ari Geller, D.O. (Nephrology)
Steven Goldenberg, M.D.
(Gastroenterology)
Bruce Gould, M.D.
Carolyn Kosack, M.D. (Cardiology)
Steven Lane, M.D. (Cardiology)
Robert Lyons, M.D. (Infectious
Disease)
Michael Moustakakis, M.D.
(Nephrology)
Visvanathan MuraliDharan, M.D.
(Gastroenterology)
Danilo Pangilinan, M.D.
John Polio, M.D.
(Gastroenterology)
Susan Rabinbowe, M.D.
(Hematology/Oncology)
Mervyn Rimai, M.D.
Frederick Rowland, M.D.
(Geriatrics)
Eytan Rubinstien, M.D. (Infectious
Disease)
Niranjan Sankaranarayanan, M.D.
(Nephrology)
Paul Shapiro, M.D.
(Gastroenterology)
Cheryl Smith, M.D. (Infectious
Disease)
Richard Stone, M.D.
(Gastroenterology)
Paul Stroebel, M.D. (Cardiology)
Michael Teiger, M.D. (Pulmonary)
NEUROLOGY
Gary Belt, M.D.
Phaniraj Iyengar, M.D.
Michael Krinsky, M.D.
Albert C. Lo, M.D.
Zachary Macinski, M.D.
Keshav Rao, M.D.
Peter Wade, M.D.
NEUROSURGERY
Stephen Calderon, M.D.
Bruce Chozick, M.D.
Howard Lantner, M.D.
OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
James Egan, M.D.
OPHTHALMOLOGY
Andrew Epstein, M.D.
William Maron, M.D.
ORTHOPEDICS
Michael Aron, M.D.
Steven Bond, M.D.
David Burstein, M.D.
Jesse Eisler, M.D.
Andrew Gabow, M.D.
Robert Green, M.D.
John Mara, M.D.
Paul Murray, M.D.
John O’Brien, M.D.
Steven Selden, M.D.
Anthony Spinella, M.D.
Thomas Stevens, M.D.
Aris Yannopoulos, M.D.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY
Sheldon Nova, M.D.
Ronald Saxon, M.D.
Stephen G. Wolfe, M.D.
PATHOLOGY
George Barrows, M.D.
PEDIATRICS
Ellen Marmer, M.D.
PSYCHIATRY
Luis Gonzalez, M.D.
Ladan Hamdheydari, M.D.
Nina Jacobs, M.D.
Tracey Krasnow, M.D.
John Levine, M.D.
David Matuskey, M.D.
Muhammad I. Munawar, M.D.
Yaser Mushtaq, M.D.
Yann Poncin, M.D.
Eugenia Popescu, M.D.
Osman Qureshi, M.D.
Surita Rao, M.D.
Bruce Rothschild, M.D.
RADIOLOGY
Borden Brown, M.D.
Robert Feld, M.D.
Michael Firestone, M.D.
Clifford Freling, M.D.
Jonathan Getz, M.D.
Pupinder Jaswal, M.D.
Elinor Kron, M.D.
Amy Martin, M.D.
Sean McKeon, M.D.
Peter Morrison, M.D.
Harold Moskowitz, M.D.
Pongsa Pyn Muangman, M.D.
Anthony Posteraro, III, M.D.
Joseph Sala, M.D.
James Slavin, M.D.
George Stohr, M.D.
Michael Twohig, M.D.
George Wislo, M.D.
John Ziewacz, M.D.
Stephen Zink, M.D.
REHABILITATION MEDICINE
Raghubinder Bajwa, M.D.
Michael Saffir, M.D.
SURGERY
Saumitra Banerjee, M.D.
(Colon/Rectal)
David Cherry, M.D. (Colon/Rectal)
Scheuster Christie, M.D.
Scott Fecteau, M.D. (Vascular)
N. Chandra Narayanan, M.D.
Eugene Sullivan, M.D.(Vascular)
David Walters, M.D. (Colon/Rectal)
SECTION OF PODIATRY
Donna Boccelli, D.P.M.
Rafael Gonzalez-Perez, D.P.M.
Richard Grayson, D.P.M.
Robert Kalman, D.P.M.
Eric Kosofsky, D.P.M.
Elliot Pollack, D.P.M.
Loren Schneider, D.P.M.
Brian Wagner, D.P.M.
Deborah Waterman, D.P.M.
UROLOGY
Peter Bosco, M.D.
James Boyle, M.D.
Carl Gjertson, M.D.
Hugh Kennedy, M.D.
Marlene Murphy-Setzko, M.D.
Adine Regan, M.D.
G. Thomas Trono, M.D.
CLINICAL SERVICES
NURSE MANAGER
Emily Hahn, CRRN, BSN
NURSING STAFF
Gail Abel, RN
Leigh K. Akerlind, RN
Ann Marie Alcide, RN
Nicovia Anderson, CNA
Kathleen Barone, RN
Dianne Bernier, RN
Jajet Brown, CNA
Amy Calvo, RN
Colette L Carroll, RN
S. Shinymol Chemmarappaly, RN
Phyllis Cox-Garvey, RN
Jacqueline Dawkins-Jones, CNA

Maureen Dehaney, LPN
Linda Fader, RN
Renee Fevrier, RN
Hannah Fevrier, LPN
Darnell Glass, RN
Lena Goforth, CNA
Janette Gordon, RN
Gail Gruszczynski, LPN
Claudette Holmes, LPN
Macrina Hopko, RN
Saly Huertas, CNA
Denise Jackson, RN
Beverly Jones, RN
Gosseth Jones, CNA
Juanita Lancaster, LPN
Manuel R. Lopez, RN
Anne MacKenzie, RN
Catherine Mann, LPN
Carmen Martinez, CNA
Laurie Martini, LPN
Simone McDougall, CNA
Reyna McFarland, CNA
Denise Naylor, RN
Darlene Nukis, LPN
Kathy Olson, RN
Nora Osafo, RN
Mayra Oyola, CNA
Patricia Pickett, LPN
Odessa Adren Poplin, RN
Donna Ricketts, RN
Nancy Robinson, RN
Joanne Rose, RN
Sylvia Rubie, CNA
Diane Schank, LPN
Barbara Semple-Cort, RN
Donna Marie Stanford, CNA
Emily Steele, LPN
Otasha Stephens, CNA
Troiano, Lois, LPN
Margaret VanSteenburgh, RN
Monica Walters, RN
Talisha Webb, CNA
Letitia Williams, RN
MANAGER OF CARE
CONTINUUM
Karen M. Prior-Topalis, RN, BSN,
MBA, CCM, A-CCC
QUALITY & OUTCOMES
COORDINATOR
Colin B. Lavoie, RN, BSN
CASE MANAGEMENT
SERVICES
Frances Matkowski, RN
Susan Pearson, MSW
REHABILITATION
ADMISSION NURSES
Denise A. Farrah, RN
Mary Kathryn Harding, RN
Annie L. Parker, RN
Kathy Sylvia, RN
Robin Hinckley Wachs, RN
THERAPY STAFF
REHABILITATION
MANAGERS
Cynthia L. Griffith, MHS, PT, CSCS,
CCRP
Steven M. Kunsman, MSPT, PT, CBIS
Linda Mackay, MA, CCC-SLP,
BRS-S, CBIST
THERAPY STAFF
AUDIOLOGISTS
Claudia Janusko
Margaret R. Pohlman
CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY ASSISTANTS
Jennifer U. Allyn
Alyssa Greenberg
Kelly E. Versteeg
Gina Waltos
FITNESS COORDINATOR
Wesley P. Norris
LYMPHEDEMA SPECIALISTS
Nola A. Eddy
Michelle Aafedt
Joanne C. Mitchell
MANDELL CENTER FOR MULTIPLE
SCLEROSIS AND NEUROSCIENCE
RESEARCH
Jennifer Fawcett
Amy C. Neal, PA-C
Michele Labas
Jessica Vegerano
Jacquelyn C. Wright, RN
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS
Janice A. Bane
Nicole Burdick
Deborah Drown
Melissa L. Dusza
Heidi L. Gauthier
Stacy L. Godin
Amy E. Goodwin
Michelle M. Haudegand
Melanie Henry
Christina Hillemeir
Fatima Joao
Timothea Kimball
Robin Lindboe
Melanie Morrison Riddle
Bethany Suzanne Pisati
Michelle P. Sacdalan
Robin N. Tripp
Emily H. Vincent
Christopher White
Kimberly Wilson
Kimberley A. Wood
Christy R. Zarlengo
OUTPATIENT COORDINATOR
Pamela Freeman-Brown, RN, Med,
CCM, CRC
OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Matthew D. Durst, MA, PT
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
Georgia Angelopoulous
Jeffrey Baker
April M. Barthuly
Sarah A. Begina
Sally Campbell
Victor Chandler
Ruth Clancy
Todd K. Clayton
Stephen T. Davis
Amanda L. DeAngelo
Jennifer A. Dearth
Michele Dery
Lisa T. Farr
Eric A. Fay
Laura H. Filipek
Clint R. Galamgam
Thomas Gostyla
Joseph Grabicki
Joan Karpuk
Judith B. Knowlton
Jillian K. Kossbiel
Amy M. Lambert
Deborah A. Ludwig
Wendy McCabe
Paul E. McCloskey
Catherine Milewski
Nancy A. Mullen
Gary E. Naples
Michael G. Perin
Danielle Provost
Barbara A. Robinson
Peggy Romine
Tracey Ruvolo
Deborah H. Ryan
Tamra A. Ryan
Wendy Scutt
Jennifer Shockley
Karen W. Smyth
Kathryn Streb
Bryan R. Tronosky
Patricia Uhl
Kerry Watts
PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS
Christine E. Castler
Denise A. Dieli
Hollie M. Marshall
Michelle C. Russi
REHABILITATION DAY
TREATMENT PROGRAM
COORDINATOR
Tara B. Rothstein, OTR/L, MSW, CBIS
REHABILITATION TECHNICIANS
Mercedes Bello
Kathleen Curtis
Mercedes Garcia
Laura Maldonado
Leonardo Mason
David McNamara
Emilia Neves
Irene Oyola
Grace Simpson
Jason Teles
Joseph Wojtkowiak
SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS
Elizabeth D. Bouchard
Julie Carpenter
Alexandra Carso
Christina Collin
Kelly L. Coyne
Bernadette Fowler
Carley Hauser
Julie Leska
Jessica Levy
Erin Lewis
Julie A. Logan
Gerald R. Nadeau
Lauren A. Quagliaroli
Arlene S. Rande
Nicole Scinto
Ashley Zapata
THERAPEUTIC RECREATION
SPECIALIST
Paige McCullough-Casciano
CLINICAL/ADMINISTRATIVE
SUPPORT STAFF
Jenny Almenas
Takisha Archer
Mary Ann Bukowski
Elaine Cloutier
Janet Cormier
Tanya Cruz
Martha Curtis
Nancy Garthwaite
Pauline Howell
Karin Kaczynski
Deborah McGuire
Nelia Oriola
Joanne Plaza
Suzanne Polak
Damaris Rivera
Ana Santillan
Linda Smith
Susan J. Tigno
Herminia Tuell
Theresa E. Turgeon
Andrea Violette
Carleen L. Young
Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital 2 009 Annual Report
[ 15 ]

Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital 2 009 Annual Report
[ 16 ]
The Mount Sinai Foundation
continues its long history of support of programs
and services to special populations in our community.
Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital has been enriched
by the Foundation’s commitment to the Hospital and
the North Campus.
Through the Foundation’s support, patients with
Multiple Sclerosis and stroke-related complications
have access to expertise and technology not readily
available elsewhere.
The future for the Rehabilitation Hospital is bright,
in part because of the members of the Mount Sinai
Foundation who remain committed to our
important work.
Once again we extend our gratitude to the leadership
of the Foundation for continuing to care.
Mount Sinai Foundation, Inc.
Board of Directors
Robert B. Bruner
Robert E. Cohn
Samuel P. Cooley
Christopher M. Dadlez
Robert M. Fechtor
Edward S. Johnson, D.D.S.
E. Merritt McDonough, Sr.
Steven Rosenberg
Roslyne E. Rosenfield
Henry S. Scherer
John R. Suisman
David Title, Ed.D.
Michael Wilde
The 2009 Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital
Golf Classic was held on Monday, May 18 at
Blue Fox Run Golf Course, in Avon. This year’s
event brought in a record number of participants
and proceeds to help Mount Sinai support the
Stroke Rehabilitation Program, specifically the
special technology that will provide invaluable
benefit to our stroke patient population.

PHOTOGRAPHY: JOE DRISCOLL DESIGN: JOHN JOHNSON ART DIRECTION & DESIGN
Working Together, Rebuilding Lives —
is an accurate portrayal of the environment of care at Mount Sinai
Rehabilitation Hospital and the benefits enjoyed by the patients and
families who receive our specialized medical rehabilitation care.
The Mount Sinai Team is exceptionally skilled. The technology we
employ is leading-edge, and we are constantly upgrading our facilities
and expanding our services. These are the critical elements of the
high-quality care that our communities have come to expect from
Mount Sinai.
As we look beyond the horizon toward the challenges that lie ahead
for healthcare, we know that only through generous philanthropic
support, particularly from those who have benefited from care
provided here, will innovative growth and groundbreaking research
be possible. Reimbursement, much of it government-funded, will
simply not meet the need to grow, innovate and discover.
Just a few of the wonderful patient stories and the important
involvement of our staff are featured in the pages of this report. It is
our hope that they will engage your interest and encourage your
support.
Please consider a gift to Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital either
now or in your estate planning.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
For more information contact:
Dr. Edward Johnson
Senior Vice President
860-714-2111
Mr. Paul Pendergast
President, Saint Francis Foundation
860-714-4900

490 Blue Hills Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06112
860-714-3500 • 800-789-7709
www.rehabct.com
Our Mission
We are committed to health and healing
through excellence,
compassionate care
and reverence for the spirituality
of each person.
Our Core Values
RESPECT
We honor the worth and dignity of those
we serve and with whom we work.
INTEGRITY
We are faithful, trustworthy and just.
SERVICE
We reach out to the community,
especially those most in need.
LEADERSHIP
We encourage initiative, creativity,
learning and research.
STEWARDSHIP
We care for and strengthen
resources entrusted to us.