The Michael Bilirakis DVA Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Center is part of the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital. The mission of the Michael Bilirakis DVA SCI Center is to improve function, promote independence, and enhance quality of life of persons served through state-of-the-art clinical care, education and research. We serve Veterans and active duty Service Members with spinal cord injuries and other disorders of the spinal cord such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Center provides inpatient, outpatient clinic, home care services, and long-term care. Our Center serves the largest number of Veterans and Service Members with spinal cord injuries and disorders in the VA system. In addition to our primary facility in Tampa, we partner with several VA clinics in Florida as part of the Hub and Spokes model for spinal cord injury care.
The Michael Bilirakis DVA SCI Center is a fully wheelchair accessible center with:
- two 30 bed inpatient units,
- one 10 bed ventilator dependent unit,
- a 30 bed long-term care unit which includes 10 beds for ventilator dependent residents,
- outpatient clinics,
- therapy rooms, and adapted outdoor recreation areas.
We offer many services for Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members with spinal cord injury or spinal cord disorder. You must enroll with the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital SCI Registry to receive these special services. This occurs when you have your first appointment with the SCI doctor at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital. We are proud of the SCI Center’s long history of quality, range of services, clinical outcomes, and research. For the past 25 years, we have been recognized as a national leader in the treatment of persons with SCI. Our SCI Acute Rehabilitation Program, SCI Home Care Program, and SCI Outpatient Rehabilitation Program are accredited by Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Our SCI Center was one of two VA Spinal Cord Services nationally designated as a “Center of Excellence” for SCI Care in1997. It was designated as a “Center of Excellence” for multiple sclerosis care in 2008. This Center was the first VA center with ceiling lifts installed throughout the building to enhance comfort and dignity for persons with SCI and to help reduce employee work-related injuries. We have an active SCI research program. Our studies help improve the lives of persons with SCI as well as their care. Customer service is our primary goal and we are committed to provide excellent services to our Veterans and Service Members. We have PVA representatives on-site to advocate for Veterans, Service Members and their families. We work together with our PVA representatives to serve the needs of our Veterans, Service Members and their families. The SCI Center also partners with community agencies and stakeholders. This helps to actively promote the integration of the Veteran and Service Member with spinal cord injury or disorder into the community.
Rehabilitation Program:
This program provides intensive rehabilitation of Veterans and Service Members who are newly injured or diagnosed with a spinal cord injury or disorder. The program includes inpatient, outpatient, and home care rehabilitation. As part of the VA Polytrauma System of Care we work closely with the Department of Defense medical centers. We provide services to over 45 newly injured Veterans and Service Members each year. We use a patient-centered approach with mutual goal setting to help you obtain as much function as possible.
Our interdisciplinary team includes:
- Doctors who specialize in SCI medicine and rehabilitation
- Psychologists and neuropsychologists
- Nurses, many who are certified in rehabilitation
- Occupational therapists
- Physical therapists
- Vocational rehabilitation specialists
- Respiratory therapists
- Speech therapists
- Dieticians
- Recreational therapists
- Social workers
- Chaplain
We offer the latest in rehabilitation care and technology as well as provide training and support to you and your family/caregiver. We help you with equipment to assist with function. The community reintegration element provides exposure to many places and activities in the area to help you adapt. The mentor program links you to a peer with a spinal cord injury or disorder who knows first-hand how to adapt. Our inpatient program will arrange your transition to home. Our outpatient and home care programs can provide additional therapy to help your transition.
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- VA