?I?m fortunate to be able to join an amazing staff in such a beautiful, well-equipped facility,? said Rao.  ?The rehab team here is truly compassionate and dedicated to what they do, which makes my job much easier.?

Dr. Aruna Rao (left) and Cindy Steffl, RN

review the rehabilitation plan for a patient.

?Dr. Rao brings with her a lot of energy, competence, and compassion, the qualities that we are so proud of here,? said Director of Inpatient Rehab, Cindy Steffl of Dover.  ?She?s quite personable and her dedication to what she does is evident.  Our patients really seem to respond to her.?

Union Hospital?s Inpatient Rehabilitation Center opened in 2008.  The 10-bed unit helps patients regain a high level of independence after suffering a stroke, fractured hip, amputation or other neurological disorder or in dealing with chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson?s disease and muscular dystrophy.  The staff includes a team of nurses, physical and occupational therapists, speech pathologists, social workers, and dietitians who work closely together to coordinate the patient?s therapy.

?I love what I do because our goal, from the onset, is to get you home,? said Dr. Rao.  ?Watching our patients go home is the most rewarding and exciting part of this job.  I think it?s wonderful for the community to have a facility like this so close, and I?m excited to be part of it.?

According to Steffl, 83 percent of patients who complete the inpatient rehabilitation program at Union Hospital go directly home following their therapy, exceeding the national average of 76 percent.

?The fact that we exceed the national average in helping our patients return home following rehabilitation is a tribute to the staff of our center and their skill in caring for patients following as serious illness or injury,? Steffl added.

For more information on Union Hospital?s Inpatient Rehabilitation Services, visit unionhospital.org or call (330) 602-6582.

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