Spinal Cord Injury Model System
Gaylord is a member of the Spaulding New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center (SNERSCIC), which is one of 14 Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems in the U.S. The Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems (SCIMS) program is overseen by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The NIDILRR awards model system grants to institutions that are national leaders in research and patient care and offer outstanding comprehensive specialty services. The process for becoming a model system is rigorous and the grant must be reapplied for every five years. Gaylord received its second grant for this grant cycle and continues as a member of NERSCIC.
The model system program studies the course of recovery and outcomes following the delivery of a coordinated system of care for SCI patients. Under this program, the 14 centers provide comprehensive rehabilitation services to individuals with SCI and conduct spinal cord research, including clinical research. Research is designed to improve rehabilitative interventions that can help optimize levels of community participation, employment, and overall quality of life for individuals with SCI.
As a model system many of Gaylord's patients with SCI are involved in studies funded through the NIDILRR. These are studies that they would not ordinarily be able to participate in unless they completed inpatient rehabilitation at another model system. There are also other studies that outpatients from the community can participate in if they are eligible.
Our purpose is to:
- Research many different aspects of SCI through onsite and collaborative studies and data collection.
- Inform people with SCI, their families, the general public and medical professionals about SCI - including rehabilitation, the latest resources, adaptive technology, and research.
- Provide services for people with spinal cord injuries during their initial hospitalization and after discharge from Gaylord.
- Work collaboratively with NERSCIC to support individuals with disabilities to live as fully as possible as active members of their communities.
- Provide Gaylord's patients with SCI the opportunity to be involved in research, when appropriate.
Co-Principle Investigator
David Rosenblum, MD, is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and subspecialty certified in Spinal Cord Medicine and Brain Injury Medicine. He is the Medical Director of Gaylord's Milne Institute for Healthcare Innovation, Director of Medical Education, and Director of the Spinal Cord Injury Program. As co-principle investigator of NERSCIC and Research/Site Director of the Model Systems SCI Program at Gaylord, Dr. Rosenblum is responsible for overseeing Gaylord's model system activities and research. He also provides Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation consultations to patients at Yale New Haven Hospital. In addition to his administrative responsibilities and research activities at Gaylord Hospital, Dr. Rosenblum has an active inpatient and outpatient SCI practice.
SCI Toolkit