MESA, Ariz. – Researchers at A.T. Still University (ATSU) in Mesa, Ariz., and SouthWest Advanced Neurological Rehabilitation (SWAN Rehab) in Phoenix are challenging old assumptions about stroke rehabilitation with a new, intensive therapy program for chronic stroke survivors. ATSU-Arizona School of Health Sciences faculty Pamela Bosch, PT, Ph.D., and James Lynskey, PT, Ph.D., together with Kay Wing, PT, D.P.T., NCS, GCS, at SWAN Rehab have teamed up with colleagues to test the new program, which consists of a four-week, intensive, whole body therapy.

Millions of stroke survivors are left with social, motor, and/or mobility deficits, resulting in a reduced ability to perform typical activities of daily living and, ultimately, a diminished quality of life. The intensive approach being tested is based on current principles of neuroplasticity and a vast body of research showing that the brain can be trained to re-organize after injury and re-learn to do things previously done by the damaged area of the brain even years after stroke.

According to Dr. Bosch, a gap exists between this research and the current status of neurorehabilitation in clinical practice. “In spite of the compelling research showing functional recovery after stroke, both acute and chronic, conventional rehabilitation programs have often continued using a traditional model of service delivery,” she said.

Traditional stroke therapy includes in-patient rehabilitation for a few weeks to a month, transitioning to an out-patient program for a few additional weeks. This includes a few hours of therapy per week, limited to a few months after a stroke. In contrast, the new, more intensive treatment being tested involves daily therapy sessions of three hours per day, four days per week for four weeks.

The therapy sessions take place at SWAN Rehab, located in Central Phoenix. SWAN and ATSU have been conducting this study for a year and are currently enrolling participants. The study also includes an education-only group for comparison. The education-only group will not receive the intensive therapy but will be instructed on an individualized exercise program based on the patient’s goals and education on the benefits of remaining active after a stroke.

For more information about the intensive stroke pilot program, call SWAN Rehab at 602.393.0520, or ATSU at 480.219.6063.

Geoffrey Hoffa, PA-C

MESA, Ariz. – A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) alumnus Geoffrey Hoffa, PA-C, was recently named to the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants (ARBoPA) by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. He will replace Randy Danielsen, Ph.D., PA-C, dean of ATSU-ASHS, who has just completed his maximum two terms on the board.

“When completing a term on an important regulatory board, it is always great to see younger, energetic people come forward,” said Dr. Danielsen. “In this case I am even more thrilled to see an ATSU-ASHS PA alumnus of Mr. Hoffa’s caliber appointed to this prestigious board by Governor Brewer.”

Hoffa, a ‘00 graduate of ATSU-ASHS, was appointed to the board on October 9, and will attend his first quarterly meeting on November 18. While serving on the ARBoPA board, which licenses and regulates more than 1,000 Arizona physician assistants (PA), his job will be to ensure public safety through adherence to practice laws and rules. He also sees it as an opportunity to serve the public by helping to attract much-needed healthcare professionals to Arizona through modern, forward-thinking healthcare practice rules that will benefit the physician/PA partnership.

“I am currently pursuing efforts at broadening my contacts locally and around the nation to seize the opportunity which has presented itself in the current healthcare debate,” said Hoffa. “As a leader and consultant, I will persist to push the profession forward, as well as continue to expand my role as a community leader. I believe the two efforts share the common goal of ensuring quality, affordable healthcare.”

After graduating from ATSU-ASHS, Hoffa worked in solid organ transplant for over five years at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix. He started his own independent contracting business, Hoffa Health Care, in 2008, and continues to hold leadership positions with the Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants, lobbying and serving as a delegate at the national level.