MENTIS NEURO REHABILITATION OPENS FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND, URBAN FACILITY TO TREAT BRAIN INJURIES IN HOUSTON

--City to offer support at upcoming ribbon-cutting event--  

HOUSTON (Monday, April 7, 2008) -- Mentis Neuro Rehabilitation (www.mentisneuro.com) announces the opening of a new facility focused on community re-entry of brain injury survivors. In a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, April 10, at 5 p.m., Mentis along with the Mayor’s representative from the Citizens’ Assistance Office will celebrate the new 16,000 SF facility, located in a developing area on 9551 Fannin just south of the Texas Medical Center. Mentis Neuro Rehabilitation is a first for brain injury survivors in Houston. The facility meets the unique needs of persons with brain injuries caused by trauma, stroke, tumors, cardiac events, and veterans of the Iraq war no longer in need of hospital-based rehabilitation. 

“The programs offered at Mentis are focused on a person’s re-entry in a community based living environment,” said Robert Dalecki, CEO of Mentis Neuro Rehabilitation. “The location and services make the facility unique to Houston. Residents relearn many aspects of daily living in an environment similar to what they face at home including the use of public transportation.” 

The goal of Mentis is to facilitate the transition of residents back into everyday life. Mentis Neuro Rehabilitation provides individualized programs using a transdisciplinary, bi-lingual team skilled in physical therapy, occupational and speech therapy, neuropsychological, vocational services, and social work. The program offers group and individual therapies and classes, neuropsychological evaluation and treatment, vocational evaluation, training, and placement assistance. Ideal residents include persons who no longer need 24-hour hospital care, are medically stable, and who have the ability to assimilate back into the community.   

“The City of Houston is home to some of the best brain injury medical and rehabilitation services in the country, but lacks the post acute level of care offered now at Mentis. This is an exciting time to be opening a new facility, as awareness of the impact of brain injury is increasing,” said Cindy Ivanhoe, medical director, Mentis Neuro Rehabilitation. Dr. Ivanhoe oversees the therapy approaches and coordination of services for Mentis residents and has 16 years experience as a brain injury specialist.  

The 16 bed, 16,000 square foot building is a single story with all private rooms. The home-like environment offers a large residential kitchen, multiple areas for individual and communal living, secure outdoor spaces, therapy and educational facilities. The location on Fannin provides residents with easy access to the Metro Rail and the Texas Medical Center, and is proof of the positive redevelopment emerging just south of Houston’s major medical hub.   

“Brain injuries are identified as one of the most common injuries of troops returning from the war. Our unique programs are ideal for helping them transition from hospital-based treatment and rehabilitation to home life. Mentis plans to be part of the answer to the demand of military hospitals seeking providers to render services to this population,”  

added Robert Dalecki. The company operates a similar facility in El Paso near Fort Bliss, where it has provided services to active military personnel returning from the Iraq conflict.  

Mentis Rehabilitation will begin offering services mid-April and provides both inpatient and outpatient programing. 

Mentis Neuro Rehabilitation, LP is a subsidiary of Atlantic Health Holdings, LLC.  Atlantic Health Group is a privately held healthcare facility development and management firm located in Houston, Texas.