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Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute achieves STAR Program certification
MINNEAPOLIS 04/30/2012--Sister Kenny® Rehabilitation Institute, part of Allina Health, has achieved STAR Program® Certification through Oncology Rehab Partners' model of cancer rehabilitation care. It is the first program of its kind to be certified in Minnesota and also the largest STAR Program in the nation.
Cancer survivor Marlene Miller says cancer rehabilitation has given her a quality of life that she would not have had without it. "There is a definite need for rehabilitation in the course of cancer care. It makes the journey back from treatment a lot easier. It helps bring you back to the best you can be as you're finding your 'new normal,'" she said.
The STAR Program addresses the unique needs that affect cancer survivors, including lymphedema, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, joint stiffness, weakness, cognitive problems, balance problems and issues with communication, swallowing or eating.
"Cancer patients have different needs from other traditional rehabilitation patients, which requires a different rehabilitation skill set to most effectively care for them," said Nancy Hutchison, MD, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute and Virginia Piper Cancer Institute, also part of Allina Health.
Health professionals who completed the rigorous STAR Program training include physicians, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, care coordinators and administrators. The specialized training on how to address the needs of cancer survivors enables these Sister Kenny STAR Certified Clinicians™ to provide each patient with individualized rehabilitation to help him or her regain function and improve quality of life.
STAR Program services are offered at nine Allina hospitals and 14 community-based sites of Sister Kenny Sports & Physical Therapy Center.
Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, part of Allina Health, specializes in treating people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, cancer, work or sports- related injuries and neurological or muscular disorders including arthritis, and multiple sclerosis and speech-language disorders.
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A not-for-profit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 11 hospitals, 15 pharmacies, specialty care centers and specialty medical services that provide hospice care, oxygen and home medical equipment, and emergency medical transportation services. Learn more at allinahealth.org. # # #
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