Your rehab specialists

Our team represents a range of rehabilitation professionals who work with patients and their families to ensure a smooth transition to outpatient care and the community. During your visit, you may meet the following people:

Hospitalists

Hospitalists are physicians who focus on the general medical care of patients in hospitals. Their activities include patient care, teaching, research and leadership. They are typically your most responsible physician (MRP).

Nurses

Nurses provide care, and work with colleagues, patients and families; educate and coach patients and their families; and support and manage care for patients. Nurses assess, administer and monitor treatments, help diagnose problems, and watch for complications.

Occupational Therapists (OT)

Occupational therapists empower patients to overcome barriers in the tasks of everyday life, whether it is bathing and dressing, managing a budget, or learning how to get safely in and out of a car. Patients gain skills and adapt their environments to support participation and independence in preparation for a safe transition back to the community.

Occupational Therapist Assistant / Physiotherapist Assistant (OTA/PTA)

OTA/PTAs are dually trained to support both occupational therapy and physiotherapy. They will work with you on the therapy program that is customized for you by your OT and/or PT.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists review your medications for safety and effectiveness throughout your stay at least once a day, choose and dispense your medicine, work together with your health-care team and teach you about your medications.

Physiatrists

Physiatrists are physicians who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), a medical specialty that deals with the evaluation and treatment of patients whose functional abilities have been impaired.

Physiotherapists (PT)

Physiotherapists provide assessment, treatment and education for a wide range of health problems. These involve preventing and managing the effects of injuries and illnesses through treatment that may include therapeutic exercises, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, strengthening exercises using weights, and gait (walk) training.

Psychologists

Psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat emotional health issues. Psychologists help people deal with illnesses, injuries, and personal crises.

Registered Dietitians (RD)

Registered dietitians assess the nutritional status of patients with diabetes as well as cardiac, transplant, stroke, trauma, burns, and cancer. Dietitians are available for individual and group counselling on topics such as: diabetes, cardiac care, falls prevention and living with stroke.

Social Workers

Rehabilitation social work helps patients and their families adapt to changing circumstances in their lives. Social work provides supportive counselling which may focus on adjustment, self-esteem, coping with loss and change of role, changing family dynamics and relationships and reintegration into the community.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)

Speech-language pathologists help individuals prevent and overcome communication problems in the area of language, speech, voice and fluency. SLPs also identify and help manage swallowing difficulties. Typically, patients with neurological impairments and/or burns are seen by SLPs.

Spiritual Care and the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine

The Sisters of St. John the Divine founded St. John’s Rehab in 1937 as Ontario’s first hospital focusing on rehabilitative care. The Sisters promote a multi-faith, multi-cultural approach to health care that emphasizes the dignity of each patient. The Sisters continue to work in various positions throughout the hospital as spiritual care coordinators and care providers; librarians; and as members of the Boards of Directors. They provide hospitality, a listening ear and spiritual care to patients and their families.

Students

We focus on teaching future rehabilitation professionals as a strategy to ensure great care for tomorrow. Sunnybrook is a fully affiliated teaching hospital of the University of Toronto. Our partnerships with many universities and colleges in the Greater Toronto Area help keep our health care providers at the forefront of medical and rehabilitation knowledge.

During your stay, you may come into contact with students who are acquiring clinical experience under close supervision by fully qualified instructors.