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Southern Ocean Medical Center
After Richard Martin was treated for an infection,
Southern Ocean’s Transitional Care Unit helped
him regain his independence and health. Richard
progressed from being unable to feed himself or
move his legs to resuming his job as a meat cutter.
“I can’t say enough about the entire therapy team,”
he says. “They are family.”
Arvind Baliga, M.D.
Board certified in Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation
Northfield • 609-641-2581
MeridianHealth.com • 1-800-DOCTORS
from Paralyzing Infection
Richard Martin didn’t think
anything of the heel pain that
started in May 2011. But soon,
the active 62-year-old Barnegat
resident was unable to walk. In
constant agony, he developed lifethreatening
symptoms including
a dangerously fast heartbeat and
was admitted to Southern Ocean
Medical Center. The diagnosis? An
infection with flesh-eating bacteria.
“By that time, Richard couldn’t
move at all. He was slowly losing
his ability to speak clearly and was
drifting in and out of consciousness,”
remembers his wife, Susan. “We
weren’t sure he would survive.”
Thanks to surgery on his right
heel and calf to remove the
bacteria, Richard did survive. But his
ordeal was far from over.
After three weeks in critical care,
he was strong enough to leave the
hospital but too weak to return
home. Southern Ocean’s Transitional
Care Unit (TCU) helped Richard
regain his independence and health.
Hope Through Therapy
The TCU, which celebrated its 10th
anniversary in August, is an inpatient
subacute unit within Southern Ocean
Medical Center. Staffed by physicians,
nurses, therapists, and other experts,
it helps patients recover function and
independence after an illness or injury.
“When I first got there, I couldn’t
move my arms or legs, couldn’t
feed myself or touch my nose, and
required a mechanical lift to get in
and out of bed,” says Richard. “Even
so, the first thing my doctor said to
me was, ‘You’re going to walk again.’”
That doctor was Arvind Baliga,
M.D., a physical rehabilitation specialist
who oversaw Richard’s treatment.
“Richard’s disease caused his
nervous system to shut down,
paralyzing him,” Dr. Baliga explains.
“However, he had tremendous
motivation to improve, which is vital
to recovery. My job was to ensure he
had the right prescription of therapy
to account for his unique illness.”
Who Benefits from Transitional Care?
Staff Like Family
Twice a day, Richard received physical
therapy to help him regain the
use of his legs. He also worked on
strengthening his upper body and
relearning everyday tasks such as
feeding himself. Nurses and aides
encouraged him and celebrated
his progress.
“I can’t say enough about the
entire therapy team,” says Richard.
“They are family.”
In all, Richard spent three months
in the unit. Slowly, he regained the
use of his body and was able to walk
out of the TCU unassisted.
“Since the illness, I have a
different perspective and know
what’s important,” says Richard,
who is now back to work as a
meat cutter. “I’ve probably visited
the TCU staff at least five times to
say thanks.” •
The TCU is ideal for medically stable people who need short-term
skilled care, as well as those who are possible candidates for intensive
acute rehabilitation services. Learn more about transitional care and who it
helps at SouthernOceanMedicalCenter.com. Click on “Services.”
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