NEWS RELEASES
Legacy Health’s Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon named a top rehabhospital in the country by U.S. News & World Report
PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov. 17, 2023) – Oregon’s oldest rehab center is also celebrating 75 years of serving the people of Oregon and Southwest Washington; Joanna Adams was one of them.
Legacy Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon (RIO) at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center was ranked one of the top rehabilitation hospitals in the country by U.S. News and World Report. RIO’s team of health care professionals have treated patients with conditions ranging from strokes to burns to spinal cord and brain injuries for 75 years. During the pandemic, RIO cared for severely ill Covid-19 patients who needed inpatient rehabilitation.
“I’m proud of this recognition because of the exceptional work our RIO staff delivers daily to help patients recover from serious conditions,” said Kevin O’Boyle, Legacy Good Samaritan president. “At RIO, we offer the highest level of care to our patients, round-the-clock, in a caring environment.”
Joanna Adams spent several weeks in RIO after a snowboarding accident in 2009. As a 21-year-old, she already had a biology degree, an emergency medical technician certificate, and experience working as a rehab aide in a skilled nursing facility. So, when she hit the slick, icy mountain slope, she instantly knew she had a spinal cord injury and broke her back because she couldn’t feel or move her legs. After several days at Oregon Health Sciences University Trauma Center, her caregivers suggested RIO for inpatient rehabilitation. She was paralyzed with only movements of her arms and upper body.
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Kevin O’Boyle, Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center President. Photo credit: Legacy Health |
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“They said RIO could help me gain independence and adjust to my new life,” said Adams. She spent five weeks at RIO surrounded by a team of healthcare professionals. “It was a beautiful plan to get holistic support from social workers, nurses, physical, occupational and recreational therapists, and a neuropsychologist.”
Adams led an active life before her accident. “I had tears when I looked in the mirror and saw myself sitting in the wheelchair, wondering what my life would be like,” she said. Her therapists planned to get her back to driving with hand controls and learning adaptive sports like tennis and skiing. Adams had goals before the accident. She completed graduate school and was the first person with paraplegia to graduate from her physician assistant program. She now practices working with patients with spinal cord injuries or neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. She got married and has two young children.
“I now send my patients to RIO,” said Adams. “I love educating my patients to get them back to a functional life. The support at RIO is incredible. When I follow up with patients, they say, you were right.”
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Joanna Adams, paralyzed from a snowboarding accident, spent several weeks at the Legacy Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon spent several weeks in RIO after a snowboarding accident. After the accident, she regained her active lifestyle. |
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Joanna Adams and Kevin O'Boyle are available for interviews.
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RIO is the first in the Pacific Northwest to offer the ZeroG® Gait and Balance Training System, a robotic body-weight support system. The system prevents falls and uses dynamic body weight support to allow patients to practice walking, perform balance exercises and move from sitting to standing. Patients using the system may start exercising and walking faster, potentially shortening their length of stay. |
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About Legacy Health
Legacy Health is a large, nonprofit, integrated health system with seven hospital campuses serving Oregon and Southwest Washington, including a full-service children’s hospital and a behavioral health emergency services facility. Legacy also operates an extensive ambulatory services network that includes 70 clinic locations and offers a broad continuum of care. The organization is a $3 billion + community system of care with over 14,000 employees in two states. Known for its commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care, Legacy Health has earned a strong reputation for clinical excellence, community partnership, and mission-driven service in the Pacific Northwest. For more information, visit www.legacyhealth.org.
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Vicki Guinn 503-890-6216 |
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