Scientist honoured: electrical safety

Director and researcher Dr. Manuel Gomez recently received the 2013 Chief Public Safety Officer's Special Recognition Award for his contributions to electrical safety and to the care of survivors of electrical injuries.

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) presents this award annually to recognize and celebrate the leadership and achievement in the promotion of electrical safety in Ontario.

Dr. Gomez and his team were recognized for their research which examines the physical and psychological effects of electrical injuries on survivors.

"Electrical injury survivors may look perfectly healthy," says Dr. Gomez. "But, they can experience long-term neurological dysfunctions, like muscle fatigue, weakness, or loss of sensation. They may have difficulty doing simple things like walking or using everyday tools."

Findings have emphasized the need for education and also preventative strategies that could decrease the risk of electrical injuries. Other research at St. John's Rehab has helped develop prevention programs to reduce electrical burn injuries caused by the use of multimeters, for example.

Sunnybrook is the only hospital in Canada currently publishing research on electrical injury rehabilitation, and, at St. John's Rehab, we offer the only dedicated electrical injury rehab program in the country.

Learn more about electrical injury rehabilitation research at St. John's Rehab