The NeuroRehab and Balance Center is expanding access to neurologic physical therapy thanks to grant funding. The grant will help bring Greater Dayton’s first neurologic physical therapy residency program to Kettering Health.

Neurologic physical therapy helps patients with neurologic and vestibular disorders improve muscle control, strength, walking, coordination, dizziness, functional mobility, and balance.

Expanding care to rural areas

The residency will produce neurologic physical therapists. This is part of an ongoing effort to expand neurological physical therapy into rural areas by increasing the number of physical therapists equipped to provide this specialty care.

The grant was awarded by the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, one of the fastest-growing sections of the American Physical Therapy Association elevating physical therapy. It aims to optimize movement and well-being for those at risk for or impacted by neurologic conditions. 

“There is a great need for neurologic physical therapy among patients living in rural areas who are currently facing lengthy travel times to the Kettering Health NeuroRehab and Balance Center, a barrier hindering them from consistently receiving this much-needed care,” said Erika Rollyson, the neurologic physical therapy residency coordinator at Kettering Health. “This funding from the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy has assisted us in putting a program in place that will not only usher in a new wave of advanced care providers but will also help us meet a community need.” 

The program

Throughout the one-year program, residents will do clinical rotations in multiple Kettering Health medical centers. Included centers are Kettering Health Hamilton, Kettering Health Main Campus, and The NeuroRehab and Balance Center.

Residents will receive mentorship from highly skilled physical therapists and observe with specialty physician clinics. They will also undergo extensive training to gain comprehensive hands-on experience to hone their skills and elevate their expertise. The goal is to have residents establish practices in rural areas upon completion of the program.

The NeuroRehab and Balance Center provides advanced therapy for patients with neurological and balance disorders.

The NeuroRehab and Balance care team incorporates a variety of therapeutic disciplines. Disciplines include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, case management, and exercise physiology to create individualized care plans for each patient.