Steven Kirshblum, M.D. appointed Chief Academic Officer for Select Medical

By Irene Maslowski
 Steven Kirshblum, M.D., medical director and director of spinal cord injury rehabilitation at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (www.kessler-rehab.com) has been appointed Chief Academic Officer for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital Division of Select Medical (www.selectmedical.com).
    In this newly created position, Dr. Kirshblum (www.http://kessler-rehab.com/patient-center/staff/DoctorDetails.aspx?ID=12) will oversee the development of professional education and training programs, and advance strategic research initiatives throughout Select Medical’s rehabilitation hospital division.  He will also continue to serve in his clinical and administrative roles at Kessler Institute, which is a division of Select Medical.
    “The potential to enhance the research and training programs across our inpatient division cannot be underestimated,” said Dr. Kirshblum.  “Through hospital-specific projects and multi-center collaborations, we will continue to enhance the delivery of quality care as part of an exceptional patient experience, and advance the field of medical rehabilitation.”
    In making the announcement, Bruce M. Gans, M.D., chief medical officer for Kessler Institute and national medical director for inpatient rehabilitation for Select Medical (www.kessler-rehab.com/patient-center/staff/DoctorDetails.aspx?ID=55), noted that Dr. Kirshblum “is a pre-eminent leader in our field. His insight, knowledge and experience will enable us to raise the bar in medical rehabilitation.” 
    Dr. Kirshblum is also a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School and serves as president of the national Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals.
    In addition to Kessler Institute, the Select Medical Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital Division includes Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation in Texas, Penn State Hershey Rehabilitation Hospital, SSM Rehabilitation in St. Louis, Missouri, and West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital in Florida.
About Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation.   Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, the nation’s largest single rehabilitation hospital, is one of only five federally-designated Model Systems in the nation for the treatment and research of both spinal cord and brain injuries. That same level of quality care and innovative treatment is distinguishes its programs for stroke, amputation, neurological diseases, cardiac recovery, orthopedic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation.  Ranked as one of the top two rehabilitation hospitals in the nation and best in the East by U.S.News & World Report, Kessler has three hospital campuses in West Orange, Saddle Brook and Chester, N.J., and more than 80 outpatient centers throughout the state.  For more information, visit www.kessler-rehab.com.