Marquette University’s College of Health Sciences plans to establish a neurologic disorder rehabilitation clinic on its campus after receiving a $1 million gift from an anonymous donor.
The Neuro Recovery Clinic will treat individuals with chronic disability following neurologic conditions like stroke, brain injury and spinal cord injury through intensive and long-term services. It will be the first of its kind in the state, the university said. The clinic is modeled after programs originally developed by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The clinic will be located in Cramer Hall on Marquette’s campus, adjacent to the Marquette Physical Therapy Clinic and the Marquette Speech and Hearing Clinic. The space is being renovated and expected to open in 2019.
College of Health Sciences faculty will staff the clinic. Marquette Physical Therapy Clinic director Dr. Jeff Wilkens will oversee its administration and Dr. Kim DeChant will be the clinic coordinator.
“Neuroscientific research has shown that the nervous system is plastic and that further functional advances can be attained through repeated, rehabilitative exercise and activity,” said William Cullinan, dean of the College of Health Sciences and director of the Integrative Neuroscience Research Center at Marquette. “The Neuro Recovery Clinic will be a state-of-the-art training center that will provide intensive programming for people living with life-altering brain and spinal cord injuries and illnesses. We are very grateful for this generous gift, without which this clinic would not be possible.”
Patients will access the clinic services through referrals or walk-ins. Once it’s operational, additional staff will be hired as needed.
The clinic will also provide clinical experience opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
