News

Sargent Rehabilitation Center recently celebrated its annual staff meeting where eleven employees were recognized for their many years of service. The Center celebrates employees’ years of service in 5 year increments, beginning at the 5-year level. Since the Center began this service recognition program in 2004, a total of 56 employees have been awarded. The staff who have been recognized this year are:

• Stanley A. Slowick, Senior Vice President for Finance & Administration, for 35 years of service
• Colleen McCarthy, Senior Vice President for Programs & Professional Services, for 30 years of service
• Nedo Nora, MD, Chief of Medical Services, for 30 years of service
• Normand Caya, Senior Vice President for Management & Financial Information Systems, for 15 years of service
• Elizabeth Gilman-Simpson, Occupational Therapist, for 15 years of service
• Laurie Hicks, Social Worker, for 15 years of service
• Thom Ring, Vocational Specialist, for 15 years of service
• Janet Colardo, Receptionist, for 10 years of service
• Patricia Turner, Vocational Specialist, for 10 years of service
• Maryann Firmino, RN, Campus Nurse, for 5 years of service
• Christopher LeBlanc, Special Educator, for 5 years of service

Sargent Center featured in RI Medical Society journal

Marilyn F. Serra, MS/MEd, CCC-SLP, President/CEO of Sargent Center, was a contributing writer for Medicine Health Rhode Island, a publication of the Rhode Island Medical Society. Guest editor for the publication, Jon Mukand, MD, PhD, Physiatrist from Southern New England Rehabilitation Center, invited Marilyn to participate as featured writer for the April 2010 issue on rehabilitation medicine. The full article entitled, 'Pediatric Rehabilitation Day Treatment for Children with Brain Injury and Neurodevelopmental Disorders,' can be accessed with this link.

Community Resource Information on the RI Special Needs Emergency Registry

Sargent Center is happy to share some community information for individuals and families impacted by disabilities.  A registry has been established via the RI Department of Health and the RI Emergency Management Agency for all Rhode Islanders who have disabilities or special health care needs.  The registry is aimed at assisting those individuals who would require additional assistance from first responders during an emergency.  For more information or to enroll in this new registry please visit www.health.ri.gov/emregistry.

Boxed note cards available for purchase

Students in Sargent’s Pediatric Day School created spirited note cards as part of an art project funded with a grant from the Fogarty Foundation. The foundation funded a weekly art experience for students to work with local artist Charles Pollock. Eight of the students’ drawings were chosen to be featured in a note card package which is for sale.  Proceeds will support future art projects which showcase students’ creativity.  To purchase a set of note cards, please contact the Center's Development Office at 401-886-6613.

State-of-the-art therapy equipment at Sargent!

With an advanced piece of physical therapy equipment called the Lite Gait, Sargent offers partial weight-bearing gait therapy to both adults and adolescents who have sustained traumatic brain injuries, strokes or other neurologic injuries. Gait therapy features a suspension system to provide proper upright posture as well as balance and safety during treadmill walking. The equipment at Sargent is being used for clients with a wide range of physical difficulties with the primary goal of helping clients practice a normal gait for better mobility.

Sargent remains in the forefront of identified leadership in sensory integration experience and expertise. We recently expanded our pediatric sensory integration (SI) services with new suspension equipment, outfitting two SI units on our campus. Children with neurologic disability benefit from this treatment which stimulates brain sensations with the use of specialized equipment. This treatment is particularly beneficial to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, attention/hyperactivity deficit, learning disability, behavioral disorder and traumatic brain injury.