Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Dallas

09/30/2025

After a spinal cord injury changed his life, Jesse Cortez found strength, support and new independence in the SCI Max program at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Dallas. Through determination and the guidance of his care team, Jesse learned new ways to regain his independence and resume the activities he enjoys – including driving.

Read Jesse’s story: https://bit.ly/4mG1JYI

09/30/2025

For patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) and their families, discharging from the hospital is a critical period. The process can be emotional and overwhelming for some with lots of information to absorb.

The goal of the discharge process is to help patients and families navigate the medical, functional and psychosocial aspects of life after SCI. Patients are provided individualized training sessions, home exercise programs, education on bowel/bladder management and daily care materials. Physiatrists – medical doctors who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) – welcome the support of family and friends as part of a compassionate transition.

Among these resources is the Community, Healing, Education and Training (CHET). It provides straightforward education guides about SCI and other conditions and what to expect throughout a patient’s recovery journey: https://chetcommunity.com/recoveryGuideDetails/EQEXAYWiliIR4sfxw20La

09/26/2025

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) demand highly specialized care. At Select Medical specialty hospitals, an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, therapists, and dietitians and others collaborate to address the complex challenges patients’ face – from blood pressure fluctuations and pain, to muscle loss, pressure sores and digestive issues that can lead to malnutrition.

“Good nutrition plays a supportive role in recovery,” said Camilla Johnson, clinical dietitian, Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation. She supports and educates patients with SCI during their rehabilitation. “In the hospital, good nutrition reduces the length of stay and … it enhances overall outcomes,” she said.

Here are four ways our dietitians contribute to patient care to promote healing and prevent complications.

09/25/2025

Laz Reeder checked into a hospital for hernia surgery, but aspirated during anesthesia and went into respiratory failure. The 35-year-old Florida man needed two life support machines to survive. A month later when Laz had stabilized, his wife Sierra turned to the continuum of care at Select Specialty Hospital - Pensacola and Select Medical Rehabilitation - Pensacola to continue his recovery and rehabilitation. Laz had mountains of motivation waiting for him at home: his baby daughter, Nyla.

Read his full story: https://bit.ly/3IEJZPj

09/25/2025

Life changes with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Nurses play an important role in supporting patients with an SCI and their loved ones as they navigate their recovery journey.

As instrumental players on our physician-led multidisciplinary care team, nurses direct care and advocate for their patients’ physical and emotional needs as they recover and prepare to return home after rehabilitation.

Our Registered Nurses (RNs) provide 24-hour hands-on care, tending to a range of needs from administering medications to monitoring patients’ bowel and bladder functions to ensuring patients change position frequently to avoid pressure wounds. Nurses also reinforce therapy, helping patients put into practice exercises to strengthen deconditioned muscles and new ways of dressing and grooming.

Additionally, nurses offer emotional support to their patients with an SCI – problem-solving with them as they work through challenges. In preparation for discharge, nurses also ensure patients and their loved ones are aware of community resources to support their independence and well-being.

09/24/2025

Pain is a significant problem for patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) and can come in many forms. Working closely with the patient’s physician and therapy team, the pharmacist will develop a comprehensive pain management plan that helps mitigate and manage pain throughout the patient's journey.

Pharmacists regularly review medications to help these patients manage their pain, calibrating dosage and mitigating side effects. Here are the types of pain experienced by patients with an SCI.

09/23/2025

“Anything can be done. You just have to change your mindset on what it might look like and how it’s done.”

Austin native Nick Ferris was enjoying the 4th of July holiday with friends when a freak accident changed his life forever. He was paralyzed from the waist down due to a spinal cord injury (SCI).

Hear what Nick has to say about the Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation – Dallas SCI Max program.

09/22/2025

Patients living with spinal cord injury (SCI) can experience sensory challenges that inhibit mobility and create fall risks. Fall prevention education is a focus throughout the SCI rehabilitation journey by Select Medical specialty hospital teams, including physical therapists.

Physical therapists help educate individuals with SCI about fall risk by integrating safe mobility strategies early into their care plan. For instance, the introduction of any new equipment, such as a bed or wheelchair, increases the risk for falls. Fall prevention is also underscored in a comprehensive rehabilitation plan of care across disciplines to incorporate equipment that builds muscle strength, promotes balance and improves mobility.

Deep commitment and collaboration across the interdisciplinary team of rehabilitation specialists is essential to ensuring the safe discharge of our patients with an SCI.

09/19/2025

Back home and back to living…

Ride along with Michael Segalotto, 61, a former brain Injury patient at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Lakeway inpatient and day neuro programs, as he takes his inaugural bike ride, nine months after a brain abscess left him weak and unable to use the left side of his body.

His next goals: golf and skiing.

Read more about Michael’s recovery from brain injury: https://bit.ly/3UIEqC3

09/18/2025

We asked our clinicians to talk about the importance of the environmental services team, and they did not disappoint.

09/17/2025

A devastating rollover car accident left 19-year-old Nathan Beck with a spinal cord injury. Two spinal fusion surgeries were necessary to prevent any further damage to his spinal cord. Once he was stable, Nathan transferred to Select Specialty Hospital - St. Louis. There, his care team would help him regain the strength to move on his own and care for himself again.

To learn more about Select Medical’s network of hospitals, visit: https://www.selectmedical.com/about-us/

A devastating rollover car accident left Nathan Beck with a spinal cord injury. Two spinal fusion surgeries were necessary to prevent any further damage to his spinal cord. Once he was stable, Nathan transferred to Select Specialty Hospital – St. Louis. There, his care team would help him regain t...

07/04/2025

We wish you and your family a safe and happy Fourth of July.

06/19/2025

Today, we acknowledge the importance of Juneteenth, which commemorates the abolition of slavery.

06/18/2025

In recognition of CNA Week, we asked our nursing assistants and patient care technicians, “Why did you choose a nursing career?”

To join our nursing team, please visit our current job openings: https://bit.ly/4lcHhOP

06/12/2025

Our nursing assistants and patient care technicians champion the recovery of every patient from admission to discharge. An integral part of the nursing team, they obtain vital signs, assist patients with daily care and support their physical and emotional needs.

Join us as we celebrate these compassionate health care professionals. 🌟

06/04/2025

You may have heard the words “aphasia” and “dysphagia” when supporting a loved one’s health journey and wondered what they mean and how they differ.

June is National Aphasia Awareness Month—a fitting time to highlight this communication disorder and contrast it with dysphagia, another disorder patients may face after injury or illness.

Aphasia affects a person’s ability to speak, read or write—although not necessarily their thinking. After a stroke or brain injury that damages the language centers in the brain, a patient may have trouble finding the right words, understanding what others say or comprehending text.

Dysphagia is the difficulty in swallowing, and can occur as a symptom of many different conditions, including brain and muscle disorders.

05/29/2025

Stroke recovery goals can look very different for each stroke survivor. Some simply want to stand or eat on their own. Others envision returning to work, travelling the world or reclaiming the role of family event planner. The most common goal among patients? Returning home. Select Medical’s nationwide network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals focuses on helping patients do just that.

05/26/2025

This Memorial Day, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving and protecting our country.

05/21/2025

Clark Crist once helped MLB players like Kenny Lofton (Cleveland Guardians), Mike Leake (Seattle Mariners) and Albert Pujols (St. Louis Cardinals) sign their contracts. Then suddenly the former player, manager and Major League scout needed help himself. He suffered a massive stroke, which affected his ability to walk, feed and dress himself.

In addition to friends and former teammates like Terry Francona (The University of Arizona, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox), Barry Larkin (Cincinnati Reds) and Luis Gonzalez (Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros), Clark needed a coach. Instead he found a team. The therapists at HonorHealth Rehabilitation Hospital helped Clark come home again.

Read Clark's story: https://bit.ly/4jeZzNZ

To learn more about Select Medical’s network of hospitals, visit: https://www.selectmedical.com/about-us/

05/18/2025

Many of our patients struggle to speak, swallow or think clearly when they transition to our care. They’re recovering from injury or illness and want to talk with a loved one, eat their favorite food and manage their daily activities.

Certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play an important role in making that happen. As part of a multi-disciplinary care team, SLPs diagnose communication and swallowing conditions and create individualized plans to address them.

For some patients, that may mean exercises to strengthen their tongue, lips and throat. For others, it might be activities to improve memory and problem solving—all with the goal of getting them back to their lives.

05/16/2025

We partner with top-tier, innovative health care systems nationwide. Select Medical’s network of hospitals is devoted to helping patients recover, achieve successful outcomes and regain their quality of life.

05/15/2025

Caleb Utley, a 34-year-old restaurant server, enjoyed an active life with his fiancé and their two dogs. But a catastrophic vehicle accident changed everything. The incident left him with multiple traumatic wounds including a brain injury. He faced a long road to recovery. His first stop after the ICU was Select Specialty Hospital - Dallas Plano, a critical illness recovery hospital, where he continued to heal from his injuries. After meeting his goals, he transferred to Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Frisco, to regain his mobility, communication skills and other abilities to return to the life he loved.

Read more about Caleb’s amazing recovery: https://bit.ly/4mhHmSF

To learn more about Select Medical’s network of hospitals, visit: https://www.selectmedical.com/about-us/

05/14/2025

It is a myth that only older people can suffer a stroke. In fact, rates of stroke among younger adults are on the rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In a study conducted from 2011-13 and from 2020-22, the prevalence of strokes in people ages 18 to 44 rose 14.6%, while those ages 45 to 64 rose 15.7%.

Though strokes remain most common in those who are 65 or older, they can occur at any age. The CDC report highlights a rise in obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes and high blood pressure as contributing to increased strokes among younger people. Despite the rise, there are steps younger adults can take to lower their chances of having a stroke now and in the future.