Ford Vox, M.D., Medical Director of the Disorders of Consciousness Program at Shepherd Center, Named Chair of Georgia Trauma Commission’s Rehabilitation Committee
New committee aims to more closely integrate Georgia’s trauma system and rehabilitation services.
Tens of thousands of Georgians experience trauma each year. Of those, many will next need rehabilitation for their injuries.
With that in mind, the Georgia Trauma Commission recently formed the Rehabilitation Committee and named Ford Vox, M.D., medical director of the Disorders of Consciousness Program at Shepherd Center, as chair. Recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems, Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation and the best in the Southeast. The committee includes leaders from rehabilitation providers throughout the state.
“I am pleased to represent Shepherd Center and take a leadership role in organizing Georgia’s trauma system’s rehab integration efforts,” Dr. Vox said. “As the inaugural chairperson of the Georgia Trauma Commission Rehabilitation Committee, I see tremendous value in convening this highly specialized group of stakeholders tasked with optimizing the delivery of care and recovery outcomes for trauma patients.”
The goal of the Rehabilitation Committee is to foster collaboration among the Georgia Trauma Commission and Georgia’s trauma and rehabilitation centers so that Georgia’s residents get the care they deserve as they heal from trauma and seek rehabilitative care. The Rehabilitation Committee will assess the needs for rehabilitation for patients who sustain traumatic injuries, focusing on pediatric patients and patients with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. The Rehabilitation Committee will also help guide the Georgia Trauma Commission and state policymakers regarding the rehabilitative needs of Georgia’s trauma population as they work toward establishing specific standards, guidelines, minimum qualifications, and transfer agreements for rehabilitative care.
The committee currently includes members from Shepherd Center, Grady Health, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and Wellstar Kennestone. Sub-committees will include groups focused on rehabilitation data analysis, improving the transition to rehabilitation, incorporating rehabilitation quality standards, and developing trauma/rehabilitation quality indicators.
Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems, Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.