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Community Programs
SIRH provides a hub for community activities that supports the care and
encouragement of patients and their families.
Brain Injury Awareness and Prevention
The Southern Indiana Brain Injury Support Group, a chapter of the Brain Injury
Association of Indiana, meets at SIRH on a monthly basis.
Camp Sir H offers a fun-filled two-day/one-night camp for individuals ages
18 and over who have sustained a brain injury, and provides a respite for their
caregivers. Brain Injury Prevention Program: Each year, staff from SIRH teach
approximately 2,000 first and second graders about the brain: where it is located,
how it functions, what happens when it is injured and the importance of
wearing a helmet while bike riding.
Bike Rodeo
Each summer, children in grades 3-5 learn about bicycle safety in this interactive class that discusses the use of hand signals, the do’s and don’ts of riding a
bike in traffic and the importance of wearing a helmet. Therapists also guide
students through a specially designed “mini-town” that provides a variety of
road obstacles that children learn to navigate.
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness and Prevention
Project P.L.A.Y. (Positive Leisure Awareness for Youth) is an educational program for fifth graders that increases their awareness of spinal cord injury and
prevention. Students have the opportunity to participate in sports activities from
a wheelchair level, to interact with a person with spinal cord injury and to see
the special equipment adapted for
his/her use.
Stroke Awareness
SIRH provides a multitude of services for the stroke survivor. We take
pride in the strides our patients make in functional improvement before
being discharged to the home environment. Our stroke program outreach
efforts include:
• Free Stroke Clinic: The Stroke Clinic is led by Medical Director, John Shaw,
M.D., with support from a treatment team consisting of case management,
nursing and occupational and physical therapists. Anyone who has
experienced a stroke is welcome to attend the clinic.
The team of experts ensures that stroke survivors and
their loved ones receive ongoing, reliable information
regarding the latest treatment in stroke recovery.
The team provides recommendations to the survivor
and a follow-up letter is sent to his/her primary
care physician. The clinic is free of charge
and is held on the first and third Tuesdays of
each month. An appointment is needed to attend.
• Free Stroke Support Group: The focus of
the monthly group meeting is to provide support
for emotional and educational needs.
SIRH 2012 Board of Directors
Meredith Loeb, Chairperson
Jerol Miller, Vice Chair
Sam Gardner, Secretary/Treasurer
Dave Ehringer
Ben Jackson
Martin Padgett
Mark Shugarman
Guy Wall, Ph.D.
Ex-Officio Members
Randy Napier
Robert L. Thompson, M.D.
John C. Shaw, M.D.
Bev Webe
Stroke Camp
Since 1995, SIRH’s “Adventure Days” Stroke Camp is held over two nights and
three days. It operates with two main goals:
• Provide stroke survivors with the opportunity to take part in educational
and leisure-time activities in a secure environment
• Offer much-deserved respite for the caregivers of stroke survivors
Stroke Camp, located on the 200-acre Country Lake Christian
Retreat Center in Underwood, Indiana, gives campers the opportunity to
participate in a variety of outdoor experiences in a structured, accessible
environment. They hear from guest speakers and learn more about stroke
recovery and readjustment. They also a lot of fun! Participants take part
in recreational activities such as hayrides, dinner parties, movies, cookouts,
arts and crafts, fishing and more.
Anyone who has experienced a stroke and does not require 24-hour
supervision is eligible to attend Stroke Camp, but space is limited.
For more information on the Stroke Clinic, Support Group or Camp,
call 812-941-6154.
Certified Therapy Service Dog
Lily, our Certified Therapy Service Dog, is a four-year-old Goldendoodle.
She comes to work every day at Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital with her
facilitator, a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Lily helps people
with physical and cognitive disabilities to regain independence. Often times
people will do things for Lily, such as give her commands to “sit” or “shake”
or brush her coat, before working with their therapist. She also offers a
“paw” in support of their efforts to get well.
Senior Games Sponsorship
Each year, SIRH welcomes a unique, yet competitive set of athletes as
host of the Senior Games. Nearly 300 senior athletes ages 55 and above
participate in seven days of competitive activities to help raise funds for
Lifespan Resources’ programs such as “Meals on Wheels.” Lifespan
provides services for the aging and disabled populations in Clark, Floyd,
Harrison and Scott counties in Indiana.
Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital is a 60-bed
facility owned and operated by Frazier Rehab Institute,
Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services and Clark
Memorial Hospital. Since 1994, SIRH has been providing
inpatient and outpatient physical, occupational, speech
and psychological therapy services to children and
adults suffering from injuries, illnesses and disabilities.
SIRH is southern Indiana’s only freestanding, inpatient
physical rehab facility offering a full-range of therapies
and services. At SIRH, a highly skilled and devoted
team of staff delivers specialized and individualized
Inpatient and Outpatient Services
A wide range of comprehensive inpatient and outpatient therapies treat adults and
children with injuries or diseases that result in temporary or permanent disability,
such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury and amputation, as well as
chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis and
asthma. Treatment for arthritis and multiple sclerosis is also provided in addition to
orthopaedic rehab for patients with fractures, total joint replacements, spinal fusions
and multiple traumas.
Inpatient Services
Short-Term Acute Rehab Care
Since it was founded in 1994, SIRH has been recognized as a provider of the highest
quality long-term rehabilitation services. In 2002, we changed status to include acute
rehab to better meet the needs of the community. Acute rehab enables us to offer
more intensive therapies with an average of three hours per day to more patients in
the most appropriate setting – and conveniently closer to home.
care through inpatient programs. SIRH also provides a
variety of customized outpatients programs for people
throughout the community.
Progressive Care Unit
The 26-bed Kathryn M. Raines Progressive Care Unit provides short-term sub-acute
rehab services for patients who require less intense therapy than acute rehab
patients, but still in a rehabilitation hospital setting. The unit offers nursing care,
physical, occupational and speech therapies to assist patients in regaining strength
and skills needed to return home as independently as possible.
SIRH patients can continue their rehab in the outpatient setting with the focus on
home and community reintegration.
SIRH’s Independence Square™ recreates a familiar
community setting with a grocery store, theater
and automobile that allows patients to re-learn the
SIRH is licensed by the State of Indiana and is accredited
by the Joint Commission. SIRH holds additional
SIRH outpatient services include physical, occupational and speech therapy
focused on rehabilitating adults and children. We treat post-surgical, orthopaedic,
neurological and developmental diagnoses on an outpatient basis. Specialty programs
in outpatient care include, LSVT for treatment of Parkinson’s, Vestibular Rehab,
Women’s Health Physical Therapy, Video Movement Analysis, Running and Walking
and Golf Performance and Fitness. Our fully accessible building and convenient
parking provide easy access for individuals with limited mobility.
Team Approach to Care
SIRH’s interdisciplinary team approach includes physicians, nurses, therapists,
case managers, pharmacists, psychologists and dietitians all dedicated
to providing for the physical, emotional, nutritional and social needs
of patients. These talented professionals develop unique care plans
tailored to each patient’s diagnosis, assuring that all patients achieve
their maximum potential.
Our clinical expertise extends from individuals needing treatment
to family members affected by a loved one’s condition. We provide
education and interaction with physicians and therapists while
working within the framework of an individualized rehab program
that considers the needs of everyone involved.
accreditation for its Comprehensive Inpatient Rehab,
Brain Injury, Stroke and Case Management programs
from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation
Facilities (CARF).
Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) Stroke Services
SIRH offers a variety of comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehab services
to meet the needs of individuals affected by stroke or CVA, a neurological disorder
that results from a lack of blood flow to the brain. Stroke is the third leading cause
of death in America and the primary cause of disability in adults. We are proud of
our program, and our patient outcomes exceed both national and regional norms.
We provide:
• Intensive Inpatient Therapy Services: An interdisciplinary team provides at least
three hours of therapy per day, five days a week along with stroke education services.
• Outpatient Services: Stroke survivors can continue their rehab in our outpatient
programs by receiving a combination of speech, occupational and physical therapy.
• Free Stroke Clinic: Scheduled after completion of inpatient services, we provide
screening services for anyone who has experienced a stroke. Clients are screened
by a variety of professionals including therapists, nurses and a physician,
and recommendations are made to enhance recovery.
Women’s Health Program
SIRH’s Women’s Health Program was designed to treat spinal and pelvic joint dysfunction, pain and incontinence—conditions reported to affect up to one-quarter of
American women. Physical therapists are specially trained and skilled in evaluating
and developing an effective patient-centered treatment for women as they proceed
through the stages of their lives from childbearing years through the postmenopausal period.
Outpatient Services
skills they need to perform daily tasks of living and
reintegrate into the community.
Spinal Cord Injury
Our Spinal Cord Injury program helps patients and families design a lifestyle
that emphasizes self-care and mobility, builds self-esteem and encourages
independent living.
Rehab for Brain Injury
SIRH treats individuals ages five years and older with
Traumatic Brain Injury resulting from illness or injury.
Our intensive, outcome-oriented program relies on a skilled
interactive treatment team that includes Certified Brain Injury
specialists who work with family members to help patients return
to the community and resume normal activities. SIRH’s Brain
Injury program holds a national accreditation from the Commission
on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and many of the staff
are certified as Level 1 Brain Injury Specialists by the American
Academy of Brain Injury Specialists.
Treatments include exercises to address muscle weakness and imbalance, and
instruction related to the modification of activities of daily living, especially during
prenatal and postpartum phases. A wide variety of treatment options are available
including therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, biofeedback and electrical stimulation
to improve overall function and quality of life. SIRH’s Women’s Health Program works
to ensure the best treatment available to promote optimum outcome.
Pediatrics
The Pediatrics Program at SIRH offers exceptional inpatient services for children
ages five to 18, and outpatient services for patients from birth to age 18.
Our physical and occupational therapy programs deal with the needs of children
and young adults with gross and/or fine motor skill injuries, impairments or delays.
Our speech therapy program treats youngsters with acquired language impairment,
developmental language delays, motor speech and articulation disorders and
swallowing/feeding needs. Psychological services address issues of grief, adaptation
and behavior management.
Southern Indiana Rehab/Bridgepointe
In February 2006, SIRH joined forces with Bridgepointe Services to provide high
quality pediatric physical, occupational, psychological and speech therapies for more
than 800 children from southern Indiana each year. Their combined strengths and
expertise ensure that excellent, close-to-home services remain available to this area’s
most fragile children.
Autism Spectrum Diagnostic and Treatment Program
Autism Spectrum Disorders are believed to be neurological disorders of the brain
usually recognized within the first three years of development. Each individual is
affected differently and with varying degrees of severity. Autism impacts development
in the areas of social interaction and communication skills and also frequently
affects all areas of daily living. SIRH’s Autism Spectrum Program was developed to
help families coping with the special challenges that are part of living with Autism.
Services often begin with a diagnostic evaluation by program specialists and clinical
professionals to create a treatment model that incorporates proven best practices
and the latest advances in autism treatment. Parent/caregiver input is critical to
the development of a treatment plan tailored to each family’s needs, values and
goals. SIRH’s Autism program is provided at the Bridgepointe location and uses
a team approach that might include psychological, occupational, speech and
physical therapies.
Southern Indiana Rehab/Hunter Station Medical Plaza
The Physical Therapy Clinic at Hunter Station in Sellersburg provides increased
convenience and accessibility to rehabilitation service for those living north of SIRH.
The clinic treats patients with a wide variety of orthopaedic diagnoses and those
with neurological impairments, vestibular problems and pain issues.
Patricia Gilles
Patricia Gilles, her husband, Darrell, and their three children, Caleb, Collin and Mia,
were huddled in the hall closet when their Henryville, Ind. home was sucked into a
devastating tornado on March 2. In a matter of only seconds, they were flipped,
whirled and dropped 400 yards from where their home once stood. The house
collapsed around them like a pile of twigs. And they all survived to tell about it.
Almost all of them had a laundry list of injuries:
Jesse Beyl
After suffering from a stroke, Jesse Beyl was transferred to the sub-acute unit at
Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital so that therapists could help him regain strength
and coordination on the right side of his body. His time in rehab wouldn’t be long,
his therapies mitigated, he didn’t have much potential—so doctors thought—
because Beyl had been wheelchair bound for the past 10 years. He wouldn’t need
to learn to walk again.
None of the doctors that Jesse had seen in the past 10 years could explain his
inability to walk. When he first started having issues, he said it felt like “walking on
rocks.” Doctors guessed that it may have been related to an old war injury, when
Beyl was blown backwards by an explosion during WWII.
But after several weeks Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital, and plenty of hard work,
doctors and therapists began to see Jesse gain strength and coordination in his
legs—they decided to move him into the acute rehab unit to ensure that he got the
extra attention he required.
It wasn’t long after that when this spry 88-year-old said, “I’m going to walk again.”
And that he did. Now he trots around as if the wheelchair had never existed.
“Mr. Beyl is the epitome of a successful rehab patient. In 40 years of medicine, I’ve
never seen anyone do this,” said Dr. John Shaw, medical director, SIRH. “It’s hard to
believe he was ever disabled, but nobody is going to believe it when he walks home.”
For Jesse, it’s a new lease on life, “I feel younger now than I did when I got here.”
On June 22, just four weeks after he was admitted, Jesse Beyl was discharged from
SIRH, now fully able to walk after being wheelchair bound for the last decade.
He’s off to care for his wife of 67 years, Agnes, who is battling cancer. He has faith
in her, though, he describes as a “go-getter.”
And while Jesse had the will, he knows the care he received at SIRH helped make
walking possible. “I feel blessed. This was hard work for me, but they worked very
hard too. The staff has me walking again, but of course with God’s help,” he said.
“I’ve seen so many people who walk around focused on doom and gloom,”
said Jesse. “If they would just get up and do things, they end up feeling better
about themselves.”
Jesse certainly has a whole lot to feel good about these days. While he will
continue to return to SIRH for outpatient therapy, Jesse looks forward to having the
ability to say “thank you and I love you” to the many friends who have helped him
along the way. He also looks forward to spending time with his two daughters
and his grandkids.
“I just don’t know if I can put it into words,” said Jesse. “I just feel so blessed.”
Darrell fractured his sternum, all of his ribs and his right shoulder blade. His jaw was
shattered and he had a punctured lung. His recovery progressed quickly and he was
released from the hospital without further rehabilitation.
Caleb, 12, had three broken vertebrae in his back. Mia, 8, had a stage three
lacerated liver and suffered a concussion that caused seizures. She was placed in a
medically induced coma. Collin, 10, was injury free. Today, all three children and
Darrell are healthy.
Patricia had a shattered pelvis, three broken ribs, a punctured lung and her vertebrae
separated from her tailbone. After 10 days at University of Louisville Hospital and two
surgeries, Patricia was ready for inpatient rehab.
“They asked where I wanted to go and we chose SIRH,” said Patricia. “It’s much
closer to home.”
Trinity O’Neal
Trinity O’Neal has never been one to follow along the “typical” Down Syndrome
developmental guidelines. Like most babies, Trinity came into the world kicking and
screaming. She’s been, as her mother, Kendra, describes her, a “pistol” ever since.
With her husband and children often at her side, Patricia had physical and
occupational therapy four to five times a day during her stay at SIRH. In the beginning, she was very limited due to her severe pelvic injury. She worked to rebuild
strength in her arms and had to learn to get in and out of the car, bathe and perform
many of the other daily living activities to care for herself with her limited mobility.
Described by Kendra as a very happy, strong-willed and stubborn seven-year old,
Trinity has met and exceeded nearly all of her goals for physical, occupational and
speech therapies, year after year. And in part, it’s owed to the therapists who
understand what motivates her and know how to push her to achieve these goals.
“A lot of people think that therapy is asking for help, but it’s not. It strengthens you,”
Patricia said. “It isn’t fun to depend on people, but the therapists are there to teach
you to be independent again and give you the confidence you need.”
From the time she was eight weeks old, Trinity has received therapy at Southern
Indiana Rehab Hospital at Bridgepointe. She has grown to love her therapy and her
therapists fiercely.
Through it all, Patricia knew that someday, she would walk again.
“Trinity sometimes requires bit of tough love, you really have to push her. You have to
be a good therapist to work with a personality like hers,” said Kendra. “But once she
likes you, she likes you forever.”
Patricia was discharged and went home to heal for some time before continuing
therapy. She was excited to return to SIRH for outpatient rehab in July. Walking short
distances on a walker, she hopes to walk independently this fall…and without a limp.
“I want to heal as best I can to make things more normal for my children,”
Patricia said. The verdict is still out on whether or not she would like to wear
high heels again!
With the help of her outpatient therapist, she’s setting goals to track her progress.
They are simple, like standing 10 minutes at a time, but each time she reaches a
goal she knows that she is closer to walking.
“There are great therapists here,” Patricia said. “I can see other people healing too
and it feels good. Therapy is just part of the journey.”
In the meantime, she’s enjoying life and taking nothing for granted. She relishes
in watching her children return to sports and regular activities, like summer camp.
She’s also enjoying choosing the finishing touches for the families new home,
which is being rebuilt where there old one once stood.
Through therapy, Trinity now understands the concept of time and the knowledge
of passing days, asking for her beloved therapists by name on the days she is
scheduled to see them.
Even when Trinity is having a bad day, Kendra says she always leaves therapy with
a smile. “To me, that’s the sign of a good therapist,” said Kendra. “Her therapists not
only know how to get her to do the work, they totally change her attitude about it.”
Trinity has recently moved to a special education class at her new elementary school,
but Kendra believes that SIRH is the reason that she was able to stay in a regular
classroom up until this point, “it’s all based on what she can do for herself.”
The continuum of Trinity’s care extends beyond the therapy gym, however, and into
the home, where Kendra works with Trinity on her fine motor skills and a variety of
exercises to strengthen and improve her overall coordination. Much of this growth is
due to the fact that SIRH therapists continually involve the parents, reporting regularly
on growth and progress so that parents know what areas to focus on at home.
“This place is more than just a business. These therapists are constantly
going above and beyond what they’re required to do. I have complete trust in the
therapists she works with and the care she receives at SIRH,” said Kendra.
“Nothing seems like work for Trinity and that’s a really good thing.”