JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute

Meet Alyson, a clinical consultant speech-language pathologist at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. Alyson's passion lies in helping individuals with Parkinson's and other neurological conditions regain and maintain their communication, cognitive, and swallowing abilities. Through innovative programs like SPEAK OUT! and the ParkinSINGS choir that she directs, Alyson empowers patients to find their voice and improve their quality of life. Her commitment to personalized care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community outreach makes her a true champion for her patients.

Meet registered nurses Marian and Flordeliza, your dynamic nursing duo at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute's 1 East! Flordeliza finds immense fulfillment in witnessing her patients' progress, taking a holistic approach and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure every need is met. Marian, equally committed, proactively addresses patient concerns with regular check-ins. These work besties support each other daily and are excited to come to work not just to care for their patients, but to see each other too!

April is Occupational Therapy Month! It's time to honor this vital profession that helps people live life to its fullest, no matter their health condition, disability or risk factors. Meet Moriah, occupational therapist at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison, NJ. Occupational therapy helps people participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Moriah's passion for helping patients achieve their goals shines through in her personalized approach to neuro and ortho rehabilitation. She works closely with patients, building a strong rapport and tailoring treatment plans to their individual needs, from post-surgical recovery to regaining functional skills like skiing. Moriah's commitment to continuous learning and collaboration with her team ensures patients receive the highest quality care.

One of many JFK Johnson residents who presented at Physiatry '25 last month, Dr. Esha Patel presented two posters: "Multisensory Stimulation Group Therapy For Patients with Brain Injury: A Research Protocol," with coauthors Arielle Fallon and Dr. Kristen Harris, developed a protocol to implement multisensory stimulation therapy for brain injury patients with a disorder of consciousness in skilled nursing facilities. "Parsonage-Turner Takes an Unexpected Turn: A Distal Arm Dilemma," with coauthors Dr. Shirley Shen and Dr. David Brown, showcased an atypical presentation of Parsonage-Turner involving the median, ulnar, and radial nerves, highlighting the importance of a strong physical exam and electrodiagnostic studies.

Congratulations to our 2025 Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation matched applicants!

Meet Kim, a certified hand therapist who brings her three decades of specialized experience to JFK Outpatient Rehabilitation in Edison. Kim leads our collaborative hand therapy team, working alongside skilled occupational therapists to provide comprehensive care for all types of hand and arm injuries and conditions. From initial assessments to personalized treatment plans incorporating therapeutic exercises, custom splinting, and pain management, Kim and her team are dedicated to helping patients regain function and overcome pain. Contact us or visit https://lnkd.in/eBm8NCMG to schedule an appointment with our hand therapy team.

Dr. Ally Ferber presented two posters at AAP Physiatry '25, examining unusual complications in neurology and rehabilitation medicine: Persistent Complete Aphonia After Acquired Brain Injury highlighted the limited understanding of post-brain injury voice disorders, particularly persistent aphonia. The poster discussed potential etiologies of dysphonia, including cerebral origins, and explored its impact on overall rehabilitation and utilization of speech therapy interventions. Undetected Artery of Percheron focused on the diagnostic challenges and treatment implications of this rare anatomical variant, especially in stroke patients. It emphasized the importance of accurate diagnosis and secondary prevention to reduce the risk of recurrent, potentially devastating strokes.

Considering speech therapy for your child? Meet Indira, a bilingual (Spanish-English) speech-language pathologist with over 30 years of experience. She's passionate about helping children overcome communication challenges, from mild delays to severe disabilities. Indira works closely with families, incorporating them into therapy sessions and providing support every step of the way. Witnessing her patients achieve breakthroughs, whether expressing needs through verbal skills, non-verbal communication, or AAC devices, fuels her passion. Indira provides evidence-based, culturally sensitive care at Palisades Medical Center.

On the morning of April 20, 2022, Malachi knew where he was heading. A 19-year-old college student, he was an entrepreneur with his own sneaker business and a criminology major with a goal of becoming a police officer or detective. But hours later, everything changed. Malachi was struck by a vehicle while changing a tire and suffered multiple broken bones, a collapsed lung, a fractured skull, a traumatic brain injury and a crushed right leg that would be amputated. After six weeks in a coma, he was transferred to the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute brain trauma unit. With unbelievable effort, strength and determination, Malachi was able to recover. As he would be the first to say, there's no need to dwell on it — this is a story about the future. “God put me in this situation. He told me, ‘I know you have the tools, now use them,’” he says. In the years since, he's been using those tools to share his story. Our CEO, Robert C. Garrett, heard one of his moving speeches and knew he could make a huge difference. In that moment, he offered Malachi a job. Today, he works primarily with the students assigned to the cafeteria in JFK JRI's vocational rehabilitation program — the same one he worked in as part of his own journey. In his new role, Malachi empowers the students as much as he teaches them the ins and outs of the job. “I was upfront with them about my disability, so they know I can relate to their challenges,” Malachi says. “When I notice one of them is down, I talk to and listen to them.” It helps him fulfill a new dream: to give back to the team members who helped put him back together.   “They push you to be your greatest self,” he says. “They made me want to impact other people’s lives. They made me want to help someone else in need.”   “I think everyone can benefit from hearing a message about not realizing what you are capable of, no matter the situation you face,” he says. “I intend to live a big life and not a life hampered by a disability. I don’t cry about what I can’t do. I focus on what I can do.” #PeopleofHMH

It's Brain Injury Awareness Month. Veronica received an upsetting call while in New York City, informing her of her husband Christian's involvement in a car accident that left him with severe brain injuries. After weeks of uncertainty, they found hope at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. Christian’s journey through intensive rehabilitation, from relearning basic functions to returning to work, exemplifies the transformative impact of dedicated care. Now, Christian shares his experience to inspire others facing similar challenges and has become an advocate for brain injury awareness through his involvement with the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey. Together, the family moves forward with gratitude, empowered by hope and the support they received during their most challenging times. #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth