JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute

10/10/2025

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're highlighting the power of education in the healing journey. Navigating a breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, and many women find themselves searching for reliable information and resources.

Recognizing this critical need, Devon Fanelli, Elizabeth Martinez and Lauren Walsh created EMPOWER—a free, virtual lecture series featuring experts who speak to the most pressing issues affecting women with breast cancer.

Here are a few tips to help you care for your mind, which can be your best friend on this journey:

- Find Your Calm: Practice simple meditation or breathwork. We offer these sessions in our infusion suite and virtually once a month to help manage treatment-related anxiety.
- Soothe Your Senses: Aromatherapy can be a powerful tool. We provide calm aromatherapy inhalers to create a more peaceful and grounded state of mind.
- Talk It Through: You don't have to carry the emotional weight alone. Our Integrative Center in Neptune has an integrated psychologist ready to provide support.

This initiative is more than just a lecture series; it's a research study investigating how free, accessible education can directly improve patient outcomes and quality of life. We are proud of our team's commitment to not only treating patients but also empowering them with the knowledge and tools to take control of their health.

10/08/2025

Welcome Dr. Stacey Jou, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician specializing in concussion. Dr. Jou completed residency at JFK Johnson last year, with a strong interest in brain injury and neurorehabilitation. She grew up in New Jersey and was keen to stay on at JFK Johnson because of how the program leadership genuinely prioritizes education, wellness and success. We are excited to have her working with the growing brain trauma unit and highly expert concussion team.

10/06/2025

Did you know physical therapy can help with much more than injuries - therapies address balance issues, weakness, chronic conditions and more. Our team at JFK Johnson is dedicated to creating a safe, personalized plan to help you reach your goals. Here are nine common myths about physical therapy:

Debunk 9 common physical therapy myths. Learn how PT helps various conditions, improves mobility, and reduces pain. JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute offers expert care.

10/03/2025

Meet Brittany, a physical therapist at the Hackensack University Medical Center Center for Wellness!

A member of the Hackensack Meridian family for nearly 7 years, Brittany provides specialized care in aquatic therapy, orthopedics and pelvic floor rehabilitation. Brittany might use the supportive properties of water to help an orthopedic patient or apply principles of body mechanics to address pelvic floor dysfunction, ensuring a comprehensive approach to healing. She encourages new patients to be open to the process, as communication is key to a successful recovery. To learn more about aquatic, orthopedic, and pelvic floor therapy, schedule an evaluation with Brittany.

10/02/2025

Welcome Dr. Phillip Gordon, physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, joining our expanding spinal cord rehabilitation program. Dr. Gordon was a member of the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute resident class of 2024 and chief resident. He hails from Haverford, PA, and spent the past year as a Spinal Cord Injury Fellow at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York.

10/01/2025

October is National Physical Therapy Month. Celebrate by taking the first step toward a pain-free life. Our physical therapists specialize in everything from sports injuries to orthopedic conditions, creating personalized plans to help you heal and regain function. Discover how JFK Johnson can help you today: https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/services/rehabilitation/physical-therapy

09/25/2025

Meet Laura, a registered nurse in our rehabilitation unit! Laura's journey began when she became a patient care technician and has spanned a decade. Inspired by her older sister, she is driven by a passion for making a difference and treats every patient as she would want her own family to be treated.

Rehabilitation nursing requires a unique skill set to support patients recovering from conditions like stroke, spinal cord injury and more. Laura navigates challenges like communication barriers with aphasia patients and managing complex physical care. She collaborates closely with a multidisciplinary team of therapists and physicians to create patient-centered goals. For Laura, the most rewarding part of her job is witnessing a patient's progression, seeing them regain independence, and knowing she was a part of their journey back home.

09/23/2025

Dr. Roger Rossi shares tips on exercising through the stages of Parkinson's. Drawing on his experience as medical director for the acute rehabilitation unit at St. Joseph's Rehabilitation, in partnership with JFK Johnson, he highlights the importance of regular workouts to maintain balance and muscle strength.

“Exercise has been strongly associated with better functioning in activities of daily living, in cognitive processing, in speed of activities, postural stability, balance, gait,” Dr. Rossi says. Read more:

Exercise can benefit patients with Parkinson’s at any stage of the disease. Our expert explains why exercise is so important for people with Parkinson’s, and what type of exercise is helpful for people with early, moderate and advanced disease.

09/19/2025

After a car accident, resident physician Dr. Lauren Trachtenberg suffered from persistent concussion symptoms that hindered her ability to work and live her life. She found a new path to recovery at the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, where a multi-pronged treatment plan addressed the root causes of her pain and balance issues. Through specialized therapies targeting her vision, balance, and neck pain, her debilitating symptoms have now mostly resolved, allowing her to get back on her feet.

Read more about her story and the evolution in concussion treatment: https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/healthu/patient-perspectives/2025/07/an-evolution-in-concussion-assessment-and-treatment

09/17/2025

This National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, we're celebrating the incredible journey of recovery after a brain injury. Our world-class, multidisciplinary team focuses on helping you regain independence in every aspect of life, from motor skills and communication to memory and emotional well-being. With time, hard work, and a compassionate team behind you, a meaningful recovery is possible.

Learn more about our nationally recognized Center for Brain Injuries and the "magic" of our team approach:

After a brain injury, it’s natural to fear you’ll never be the same person again. But with time and hard work, you can make a meaningful recovery.

09/15/2025

This National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, we're celebrating the power of determination and consistent care. After a sudden medical crisis left her paralyzed, Giannina Feliciano began the long road to recovery at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. Today, thanks to her dedicated care team and her own incredible hard work, she has regained her independence and is living life to the fullest.

Read her inspiring story:

After a paralyzing spinal cord injury, continuous, personal care from experts at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute got Giannina her independence back.

09/10/2025

Dizziness and balance problems are common conditions that affect a significant number of adults and can impact daily life.

In our HealthU article, Dr. Christine Greiss, director of our concussion program, outlines eight possible causes for your dizziness and explains how they can be treated.

Some of the potential causes she discusses include:
- Dehydration
- Migraines or head injuries
- Medication side effects
- Inner ear disorders and sinus issues

When is dizziness a sign of a serious problem? Dr. Greiss warns that if dizziness is accompanied by vision disturbances, weakness on one side of the body, or confusion, you should call 9-1-1 immediately.

Don't let dizziness or vertigo control your life. Our team uses a collaborative approach to find the root cause and determine the best course of treatment.

Learn more about all eight causes and their treatments in the full article.

Read more:

Research shows that dizziness, vertigo and balance problems affect about 15 percent of U.S. adults each year.