Sandra Alexandrou on Advancing Inpatient Rehabilitation Programs Through Innovation
We recently met with Sandra Alexandrou, PT, MBA, Vice President, Inpatient Rehabilitation Services at Burke Rehabilitation®, to discuss how she is advancing the organization’s inpatient therapy program through technology and innovation to deliver rehabilitation excellence and improved patient outcomes.
What are the key factors driving the growth and success of the inpatient rehabilitation program at Burke?
The growth and success of our program is driven by our coordinated, patient-centered care model that emphasizes access, expertise, and collaboration for all patients, especially those with complex medical needs. The multidisciplinary care teams at Burke – composed of physical, occupational and recreation therapists, and speech pathologists working collaboratively alongside physicians, nurses, social workers, and other specialists – provide individualized treatment plans that ensure each patient receives the best care possible based on their needs. Team engagement enables consistent, high-quality care for medically complex patients, building on a model that supports over 3,200 stroke, brain injury, neurological, spinal cord, and cardiac patients each year. Together, this integrated approach, highly skilled staffing, and commitment to complex case management drive better outcomes, improved patient satisfaction, and sustained program growth.
How is Burke leveraging innovative therapies and advanced technologies to enhance patient recovery and rehabilitation experiences?
Innovation is in our DNA and is evident in the integration of new therapies and advanced technologies that are redefining rehabilitation and recovery. Several initiatives stand out to me. Notably, the launch of the onsite hemodialysis program at Burke in 2024 enhanced access and therapy for patients with renal disease and late-stage kidney failure requiring intensive inpatient rehabilitation. This introduction reflects the organization’s commitment to expanding clinical services to ensure more individuals access Burke’s award-winning, cutting-edge physical medicine and rehabilitative care. In fact, we are the first and only free-standing rehabilitation hospital in the state with on-site hemodialysis.
Another notable innovation is the THERA-Trainer bemo device, a robotic-assisted in-bed cycling trainer that allows patients to engage in aerobic exercise during dialysis sessions, improving their strength and endurance. We also successfully integrated Neurologic Music Therapy, a research-based treatment designed to stimulate motor recovery, cognition, and speech, into our inpatient rehabilitation facility, distinct from traditional music therapy in its clinical precision and measurable results. And, our Adaptive Sports & Therapeutic Recreation program, supports patients post-discharge by offering activities such as tennis, kayaking, and climbing, promoting continuity of care and enhancing overall quality of life.
Burke is also the only free-standing rehabilitation hospital in the country with the Walkbot Robotic-Assisted Gait Training System which provides precise, safe mobility training for patients with movement challenges. Further, the integration of tools like the Vector harness, a bodyweight support system for rehabilitation, BITS Balance, a therapy system that combines visual, cognitive, motor, and balance training, enhances outcomes by providing comprehensive support across multiple rehabilitation therapeutic dimensions. Together, these advanced technologies and systems position Burke at the forefront of innovation and rehabilitative care.
What are Burke’s long-term goals for advancing patient recovery outcomes and expanding access to inpatient rehabilitation?
Our long-term strategic initiatives are tied to Burke’s vision to be a national leader in rehabilitation medicine with a reputation for quality, individualized and integrated care. I oversee 150+ full-time staff, who are committed to ongoing optimization of each patient’s rehabilitation therapy plan, ensuring alignment with evolving healthcare standards. Additionally, we have revitalized our student program for those pursuing physical, occupational, speech, and therapeutic recreation therapy careers, a key initiative for sustaining the organization’s clinical excellence and growing a new generation of rehabilitation leaders. We are also exploring further integration of emerging technologies, including data analytics and AI, to maximize therapeutic outcomes and optimize clinician workflows.
As the healthcare landscape evolves, we aim to expand specialized rehabilitation services to new and diverse populations, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain an environment where patients and staff alike are empowered to achieve the best possible outcomes through continuous quality improvement, workforce excellence, and leading-edge innovation.
