The MGH Institute is sending a Fulbright Specialist to the country of Georgia to help reshape how rehabilitation services are delivered. 

Tom Hallahan, an adjunct assistant professor in the Health Sciences Online Prerequisites Program, will complete a project at McLain Association for Children (MAC), which serves children with disabilities. Georgia is considered a Eurasian country, given it’s located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. 

“The rehabilitation model within Georgia is disability-based, and focused on children,” said Hallahan. “There is no focus on adults, particularly around rehabilitation - post-stroke, trauma, neurodegenerative - and that's what this project is about.”

During his 41-day assignment, the maximum allowed for a Fullbright Specialist Award, Hallahan will conduct a needs assessment by talking with everyday people along with authorities from higher educational institutions, clinics, and government.

“My focus from doing this work for 15 years will be, ‘How do we change this on the national level’ with their government looking at healthcare policy to include rehabilitative services for adults?”

With Georgia utilizing socialized medicine, Hallahan says his main focus is convincing the government to look at its policy. 

“Because if you don't change healthcare policy, and if there's no money behind the services, then only those with means will get the services,” noted Hallahan, who leaves on Saturday. 

According to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Hallahan is one of over 400 U.S. citizens who share expertise with host institutions abroad through the Fulbright Specialist Program each year. Recipients of Fulbright Specialist awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement, demonstrated leadership in their field, and their potential to foster long-term cooperation between institutions in the U.S. and abroad.