Media contact: Scott Samples
Public Information Coordinator
Phone: (772) 223-4920
Cell: (772) 708-3319
E-mail:  ssamples@mmhs-fla.org

STUART, Fla., Oct. 13, 2010 – The Martin Memorial Pediatric Therapy Department recently received an extensive makeover that will benefit its patients.

On Wednesday, an open house was held to celebrate the renovations. That included the addition of more treatment rooms and therapist office space, as well as wall murals and artwork from local artist Brenda Leigh that are designed to provide a calming environment.

The restorations also include new technology and equipment that will help clinical staff provide high-quality therapy to patients. Among the new additions are a Wii and Wii Fit game system, sensory integration equipment, a partial weight-bearing gait trainer and climbing walls – all designed to help pediatric patients improve their ability to function. An audio-video system has also been placed in all speech therapy rooms for parents to see and hear their child in therapy on a remote computer monitor without being present in the treatment room.

The facility improvements were made possible through gifts from the David L. Smythe Children’s Fund, as well as Paul and Aleta Shirley. Local artist Brenda Leigh provided the murals and artwork found throughout the facility.

“These renovations will allow our staff to provide enhanced care to our patients,” said Rebecca Phillips, administrative director of rehabilitation services. “We are grateful to Mr. Smythe, to Paul and Aleta Shirley, and to Brenda Leigh for their commitment to improving the health of Treasure Coast children. That partnership with the community is critical to helping us fulfill our mission of providing exceptional care to the patients and families we serve.”

Located in the Treasure Coast Medical Pavilion at 3496 N.W. Federal Hwy. in Jensen Beach, Martin Memorial’s pediatric therapy department offers physical, occupational, speech and language therapy, as well as audiological services for children ranging from birth to 18 years of age. A wide range of audiology services for infants and young children are also offered utilizing the new Audera system that can evaluate the hearing system for the most frequency specific hearing levels.

Our staff consists of highly trained pediatric physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Children that are seen have diagnoses ranging from developmental delay, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, ADHD and other genetic, neurological and orthopaedic conditions. Martin Memorial also offer aquatic therapy for children in the swimming pool located in the Treasure Coast Health and Fitness Center located on site.

For more information visit mmhs.com and click on the Services and Locations link, then select Rehabilitation.

About Martin Memorial: Martin Memorial Health Systems is a not-for-profit, community-based health care organization that has served the region for more than 70 years. It offers a continuum of care including preventative, primary and acute hospital care, as well as cancer and cardiac care, wellness and rehabilitation services. Its approximately 2,900 Associates, 375 affiliated physicians and 850 volunteers provide care at 12 different locations serving Martin and St. Lucie counties. Martin Memorial is a five-time winner of the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals Award, and was named a National Employer of Choice designee in 2009. To learn more, visit mmhs.com.