The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is proud to be the prime awardee of the grant funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research of the Department of Health and Human Services. This grant will focus on patient-centered, mobile technologies to assess and treat sensorimotor impairment in individuals with neurologic injury. Catholic University has accredited programs in biomedical, electrical, mechanical engineering and computer science.
The labs of Drs. Lee, Lum and Kukke have several computers with Matlab (MathWorks) and SolidWorks (Dassault Systèmes). Also available in the labs of Drs. Lee and Lum are the MTw Awinda 3DOF Motion Tracker (Xsens Technologies), Osprey digital real time 8 camera motion capture system (Motion Analysis Corporation), MyoSystem 1400A 12-channel EMG system (Noraxon), and Trigno 8-Channel Wireless EMG System (Delsys). The lab of Dr. Kukke has a workstation for high definition video analysis and coding (Datavyu), and an EEG system (Compumedics Neuroscan). CUA has a complete machine shop and a full-time master machinist. Several 3-D printers and laser cutters are available to CUA staff. Other major equipment includes Biodex Multi-Joint System 3 (Biodex Inc) and IM2 upper limb robot (Interactive Motion Technologies).
MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH)
NRH is an academic non-profit freestanding hospital that houses the Georgetown University Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, which is ranked among the top 20 for NIH funding among university based PM&R
departments. NRH Research is comprised of five scientific centers: the Center for Health and Disability Research, the Neuroscience Research Center, Center for Spinal Cord Injury Research, Center for Applied Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Research (CABRR), and the Center for Brain Plasticity and Recovery. There is 10,000 squared feet of dedicated research space and 10 PIs with Federal funding from NIH, NSF, VA, and NIDILRR. PIs hold faculty positions at Georgetown, CUA, George Mason and the University of the District of Columbia, a Historically Black University. Research is supported by a full-time Scientific Administrator, a Research Accountant, and an Administrative Secretary. Dr. Alexander Dromerick is the Vice President for Research, and responsible for oversight of all research activities and resources.
Clinical Resources: NRH consists of 137-beds and serves patients with spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury, musculoskeletal conditions, and other orthopedic and neurological disorders. NRH admits >600 stroke rehabilitation patients annually and is one of eight hospitals that comprise MedStar Health, one of the largest health systems in the mid-Atlantic region. The MedStar NRH outpatient network has over 50 sites in the Washington DC and Baltimore MD. Metropolitan area. The building has Independence Square®, which includes a kitchens, bathroom, and laundry room to teach patients the skills needed for independent living in a simulated, real-world environment. Just adjacent to the Independence Square® is a 2000 square foot outpatient gym, with an array of elevated mats, parallel bars, and other standard rehabilitation equipment.
Children’s National Health System (CNHS)
CNHS is the only exclusive provider of pediatric care in the metropolitan Washington, DC area and is the only freestanding children’s hospital between Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Norfolk, and Atlanta. Serving the nation’s children for more than 140 years, CNHS is a proven leader in the development and application of innovative
new treatments for childhood illness and injury. The US News and World Report consistently rank CNHS among the best pediatric hospitals in America. It includes a 310-bed hospital, five community-based health centers in the District of Columbia, and seven regional outpatient facilities in Maryland and Virginia. In addition to over 700 full-time faculty members affiliated with the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, there are more than 600 community pediatricians affiliated with CNHS.
The Children’s Research Institute (CRI) is the research and training arm of CNHS. There are more than 450 scientists, trainees, and staff members in CRI housed in 113,000 square feet of research space. The total grant portfolio was $73 million in 2014. In 2012 CNHS ranked number 7 in NIH funding among children’s hospitals, and number 15 among the combined 135 children’s hospitals and university departments of pediatrics.
The Sheikh Zayed Institute (SZI) for Pediatric Surgical Innovation occupies 20,000 sq. ft. dry and wet lab space on the 6th floor of Children’s National Medical Center. Twenty-five scientists, engineers, and clinicians in the Institute are support by an additional 75 staff members. The Bioengineering Initiative in SZI consists of about 20 scientists, clinicians, staff, and researchers and the Principal Investigator Dr. Cleary serves as the Technical Director. The goal of the Bioengineering Initiative is to work with the clinical departments to enable technology-related projects to improve patient care. The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department is directed by Dr. Evans, and includes 7 other faculty members and 20 therapists.