VCU Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

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50th Anniversary of Rehabilitation

The historic surgical amphitheater of the former Memorial (or South) Hospital was the setting for a special reunion on April 12 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of inpatient rehabilitation at the VCU Medical Center. Former patients, including John Hager, special assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness, joined Dr. Herb Park, the program's founding medical director, to reflect on what rehabilitation programs were like 50 years ago. Other staff members, including Sue Hirt, first chair of the physical therapy school and first technical director of the inpatient rehabilitation program, added to the reflections for the benefit of the audience members who filled the surgical amphitheater.

“There is always hope!” offered Hager as he reflected on his time as a patient of Park in recovery from adult onset polio. “Whatever the challenge, people with a goal can go forward. I appreciate the work of Dr. Park and the other staff for helping me toward my goal of recovery.” Dr. David Cifu, chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, praised the work of Park and others for the strong foundation they established 50 years ago and for the successful clinical and research missions of the program.

Message from John Hager: “There is always hope!”