INTERVIEW
Craig Hospitalsetting global standards in neurorehabilitation With a global reputation for its work in brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation, Craig Hospital has delivered life-changing outcomes for thousands of patients for 65 years. Deborah Johnson meets Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis, CEO of the pioneering US hospital, to learn more about its work With an unrelenting focus on rehabilitation, underpinned by world-leading technology and led by a team who pride themselves on being by their patients’ sides every step of the way, Craig Hospital has built a global reputation for its work. Having offered neurorehabilitation since 1956, supporting over 34,500 brain and spinal cord injury patients during that time, Craig is known the world over for its pioneering and brave programmes which empower patients and maximise their independence. From its base in Denver, Colorado, Craig attracts patients from across the United States - and often internationally, too - with its ‘Craig graduates’ routinely building a lifelong affection with the hospital and its team, forever indebted to the life-changing impact they have made. Led by Dr Jandel Allen-Davis, who became CEO of Craig in 2018, Craig’s reputation for pushing the boundaries of possibility for its patients through intensive rehabilitation is one she is committed to taking forward even further. “We work hard, we’re healing bodies, minds and spirits,” Jandel tells NR Times.
NRTIMES
“The people we care for woke up with one reality and went to bed with a very different one - but there is life after brain injury or spinal cord injury, and we will show them that is possible. “The interesting thing about Craig is that typically in United States acute rehab, you’ll get two or three hours a day (of rehabilitation). Here at Craig, it’s between four and six, and it’s usually six. “The day generally starts at 9 and ends at 4, and that hard work could be physical for brain injury and spinal cord injury patients, or cognitive for brain injury patients. “We only have 93 beds, so it’s a precious resource and there is way more demand than we have beds. “They have got to come here ready to work. On the first day here, we’ll get them fitted for a wheelchair if that’s needed, we start work on day one and work hard from there.” But the concept of hard work is something welcomed by Craig patients, with the outcomes of countless Craig graduates showing what can be possible for those living with brain and spinal cord injury. “We achieve stellar outcomes,” says Jandel. 72
