Meet the Team!

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If your family member or loved one is on a brain trauma unit in a specialized hospital, you may encounter different medical professional and staff members who are involved in their care. These may include …

1. Neurocritical Care Nurse: Nurses with specialized training in caring for patients with brain injuries. They monitor patients closely, provide medications, and provide support for patients.  
2. Neurologist: A physician that specializes in diagnosing and treating brain injuries. They may help with determining the extent of the brain injury, managing care, and planning with overall care. 
3. Neuro-ophthalmologist: A doctor who deals with vision problems caused by issues in the nervous system, not just the eyes. They have specialized training in both neurology (brain and nerves) and ophthalmology (eye care). They provide services like eye exams, medical treatments for eye conditions, surgeries for eye injuries, and recommendations for vision problems related to other health issues.
4. Neuro-optometrist: A special type of eye care that looks at how the brain handles what the eyes see. It includes eye exams, fixing common eye problems, giving glasses or contacts, providing aids for low vision, diagnosing eye diseases, and suggesting treatments for brain-related vision issues.
5. Neuropsychologist: A psychologist who specializes in understanding how the brain affects behavior following a brain injury. 
6. Neurosurgeon: This is a surgeon who specializes in treating conditions and injuries related to the brain. They may perform surgeries to help with damage caused by the brain injury. 
7. Pharmacists: Experts on medications to help assist patients and their recovery
8. Radiologist: Study pictures of the brain scans such as CT scans and MRIs to understand the level of brain injury and help guide doctors and rehab team with treatments. 

1. Case Manager: Responsible for coordinating care across different healthcare providers and settings, being sure patients are receiving correct services and support throughout their recovery journey  
2. Internal Medicine Doctor: An internal medicine doctor specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating adult diseases. They manage a wide range of health conditions, provide primary care services, and coordinate care for patients with multiple health issues.
3. Medical Fellows: A fellow is a term used in the medical field to refer to a physician who has completed their medical residency and is pursuing further specialized training in a specific area of medicine, known as a fellowship. During their fellowship, they work closely with experienced specialists to gain advanced knowledge and skills. 
4. Medical Residents: A resident is a trained doctor who is still learning and gaining practical experience in a specific medical specialty. They work under the supervision of experienced physicians while providing direct patient care in hospitals or clinics. Residents typically rotate through different departments to gain exposure to various medical specialties and procedures as part of their training.
5. Nurses: Perform tasks such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, assisting with personal care needs like bathing and dressing, and providing emotional support to patients and their families. General nurses work collaboratively with doctors and collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to ensure patients receive high-quality care.
6. Occupational Therapist: Assist patients in relearning activities of daily living, such as dressing, grooming, and feeding to overall promote independence and functional recovery. Occupational therapist will also help with vision and cognition. 
7. Patient Care Technicians: Help patients with basic care needs such as helping with grooming, dressing, and toileting. 
8. Physical Therapist: Helps patients regain mobility, strength, balance, and coordination through exercise and different rehabilitation techniques. 
9. Physiatrist: A  physiatrist, also known as a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) physician, is a medical doctor who specializes in treating a wide range of conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, such as muscles, bones, nerves, and joints. Physiatrists focus on improving function and quality of life for patients with disabilities or impairments resulting from injuries, illnesses, or neurological disorders. Physiatrists often treat conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, arthritis, sports injuries, and chronic pain.
10. Recreational Therapist: Works with patients to complete enjoyable activities such as games, arts and crafts, and other activities to help patients improve their emotional and cognitive abilities. 
11. Rehabilitation Aides: Also known as “rehab aide” help assist the rehab team with performing physical and occupational skills and treatment. 
12. Respiratory Therapist: Works with patients with managing their breathing needs, specifically those that are on ventilators or require breathing support. 
13. Speech-Language Pathologist: Works with patients who may have difficulty with speaking, swallowing, communicating, and overall help people improve their ability to understand others as well as properly express themselves.  They also work with patients to help improve their overall cognition which includes problem solving, attention, executive functioning, and decision making. 
14. Social Worker: Provides support and assistance to patients and their families in coping with the emotional, financial, and practical challenges that come with a brain injury. This will include discharge planning and accessing community resources.  

1. Dietitian: Develop nutrition plans for patients to ensure they are receiving the correct nutrients to support their healing and recovery 

1. Wound Care Nurse or Specialists: Manages wounds patients may have related to surgical procedures or trauma. They provide education on wound care practices and monitor the healing progress. Wound care will prioritize the heel and sacral region when performing skin checks because those are the two most common areas for skin breakdown. Wound care may recommend special foot wear, cushions, and mattresses to prevent skin breakdown.