Polytrauma/TBI System of Care
Welcome to the Palo Alto Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program
The Palo Alto Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program (PTRP) is one of five facilities in the country designed to return a Veteran or Servicemember, with TBI or polytrauma,to the least restrictive environment in the community with meaningful daily activities including return to active duty, work and school, independent living, or supported living.
VA PTRPs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for residential rehabilitation with brain injury specialty programming. The PTRPs serve Veterans and Servicemembers with brain injury, polytrauma, and other disabling conditions, as appropriate for the needs of the patient.
What is PTRP?
VA Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Programs (PTRP) are time limited, goal oriented, residential rehabilitation programs that partner with Veteran and Servicemember participants to improve their physical, cognitive, communicative, behavioral, psychological, and social functioning after significant injury or illness.
Currently, there are five PTRPs operating nationally at the VA medical centers in Minneapolis, Palo Alto, Richmond, Tampa, and San Antonio.
The overarching goal of the PTRPs is to help participants return to the most appropriate, least restrictive community setting, by targeting skills necessary for return to home, school, work, or military service, as feasible.
The PTRPs:
- Offer interactive therapy programs designed to address the individual needs and goals of each participant.
- Challenge participants through a wide range of individual and group therapeutic activities and living skills practices.
- Focus heavily on community reintegration activities.
- Employ teams of licensed and credentialed rehabilitation professionals who provide patient-centered, integrated care.
VA Palo Alto Health Care System
3801 Miranda Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 493-5000
Toll Free: (800) 999-5021
PTRP Physiatrist:
Ninad Karandikar, MD
PH:(650) 493-5000, Ext. 66753
Program Director:
Susan Ropacki, PhD
PH: (650) 493-5000 Ext. 69808
VA Palo Alto Health Care System is a proud member of the Sierra Pacific Network - Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 21.
Additional Information
If you are interested in more information about admission to the Palo Alto Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program, please contact Victoria Faria or Fatima Aguila, our Polytrauma Admissions Coordinators, at (650)-924-3259.
The length of stay in the program is tailored to individual needs and treatment goals. Most rehabilitation treatment takes place in a group setting; however, all patients receive one-on-one therapy as needed. Palo Alto also provides housing on a residential inpatient residential TBI Unit (MB2A), which helps ease the transition to a more independent setting. As the patient prepares to leave the program, vocational rehabilitation services, work preparation, or school activities are supported by the staff and other members of the rehabilitation team.
Care Coordinators work closely with their assigned patients throughout the rehabilitation process to ensure they are getting every treatment necessary to make the fullest recovery possible. The Care Coordinators conduct follow-up assessments for patients after their discharge for a minimum of one year to support a seamless transition to home, work, school, or a return to active duty.
For more information about Polytrauma, visit the national Polytrauma System of Care page.
