• Clinical trials
• Research projects
• Research labs

Children and Disability

Health and Human Performance

Rehabilitation Engineering

Rehabilitation of Neurological Illness and Injury

Veterans

Vocational Rehabilitation

• Resident research projects

Research Labs: Rehabilitation of Neurological Illness and Injury

Rehabilitation of Neurological Illness and Injury: committed to advanced scientific research and training relating to persons with brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other forms of trauma that have a major effect on the central nervous system.

Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Director: William C. Walker, MD.

The brain injury (BI) rehabilitation service provides care to patients with traumatic & acquired brain injury, stroke, aneurysms, brain tumors and Parkinsons disease in a 14-bed specialty BI unit. The brain injury rehabilitation unit treats adult patients with traumatic brain injuries stemming from falls, gunshot wounds, assaults or car accidents, as well as those with nontraumatic injuries from causes such as aneurysms, hemorrhages or brain tumors. The goal of this program is to facilitate neurologic and functional recovery of individuals with brain injury in order maximize physical, psychosocial and vocational independence.

More information:
William C. Walker, MD.
Phone: (804) 828-4230

COOR (Clinical Biomechanics, Orthopedic and Sports Outcomes Research) Laboratory

Director: Lori Michener, Ph.D., PT, A.T.C., S.C.S.
VCU Department of Physical Therapy

This research laboratory is located in the Department of Physical Therapy. The lab contains equipment to examine the diagnosis and treatment outcomes and the mechanisms of upper quadrant, as it relates to musculoskeletal dysfunctions of the cervical spine and shoulder seen in general orthopedics and sports medicine. The primary focus of the lab is two-fold: to examine the diagnosis and treatment outcomes of upper quadrant disorders via clinical trials, and to elucidate the mechanisms of shoulder disorders to facilitate the design of interventions to reduce shoulder pain and restore the ability to perform activities and participate at work, home and sports.

More information:
COOR (Clinical Biomechanics, Orthopedic and Sports Outcomes Research) Laboratory
Lori Michener, Ph.D., PT, A.T.C., S.C.S.
Phone: (804) 828-0234
Email: lamichen@vcu.edu

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Director: William McKinley, MD

The RRC's specialized Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program serves Central Virginia as a part of MCV Hospitals' designated treatment center for spinal cord injury. The spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation service provides care to patients with traumatic and non-traumatic SCI. There is a 14-bed specialty SCI inpatients service along with SCI consult & long-term outpatient follow-up services.

More information:
William McKinley, MD
Email: wmckinley@mcvh-vcu.edu

TBI Model System

Director: Jeffrey Kreutzer, Ph.D.

The VCU Model System of care provides comprehensive, coordinated inpatient and outpatient care for persons with traumatic brain injury. The system includes emergency medical services, early intensive and acute medical care, comprehensive rehabilitation services, and long-term rehabilitation follow-up care. The VCU program also carries out scientific research. Our research programs focus on improving care and quality of life for people with brain injury and their families. The benefits of family support and education, identification and treatment of depression, and the effectiveness of early rehabilitation also are areas of study.

More information:
Jeffrey Kreutzer, Ph.D.
Email: jskreutz@vcu.edu

VCU Rehabilitation and Research Center

Director: Macon Sizemore, M.H.A.
VCU Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

The Rehabilitation and Research Center has 27 beds and provides treatment for patients with neuromuscular or vascular accidents (stroke) and multiple trauma. A 14-patient brain injury rehab unit treats adult patients with traumatic brain injuries. The RRCs specialized Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program serves Central Virginia as a part of the VCU Medical Center's MCV Hospital's designated treatment center for spinal cord injury.

More information:
VCU Rehabilitation and Research Center
Macon Sizemore, M.H.A.
Phone: (804) 828-0861
Email: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation