Tedy’s Team Center of Excellence in Stroke Recovery

tedy team logo is a T

Our Mission

The Tedy’s Team Center of Excellence in Stroke Recovery will improve the quality of life for stroke survivors through advances in interprofessional clinical practice and education, clinical research and scholarship, implementation science and advocacy. The Center will also advance the community’s knowledge of the warning signs of stroke through community outreach and education.

 

Our Goal

Support stroke survivors and their caregivers as they live their best lives. Create a future model of stroke rehabilitation that aligns with fast-tracking evidence-based research into the care of stroke survivors.

Through the generous support of Tedy’s Team, MGH Institute of Health Professions will be able to accomplish the following through this center:

  • Support the advancement of research in the science of stroke recovery and work to disseminate that science to the clinicians who provide care to stroke survivors.
  • Educate the community of Greater Boston about the warning signs of stroke through targeted community outreach and integrating BE FAST education into the clinical visits at our pro bono health center.
  • Provide rehabilitative care consisting of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to stroke survivors who are no longer eligible for insurance covered therapy services; we will support their continued progress toward recovery.
     

 

people wearing masks talk in a circle in a gym with rehab equipment in the background
IMPACT Practice Center director Rachel Pittmann (far left) and assistant professor of physical therapy Jane Baldwin (2nd from left) discuss with Tedy and Heidi Bruschi how stroke clients are assisted.

The three components of our center include:

Patients who arrive at the emergency room within three hours of their first symptoms often have less disability three months after a stroke than those who received delayed care. But to get help, it is important to understand the signs of stroke. Part of the mission of the Tedy's Team Stroke Center is to ensure our community is educated and aware: prepared to recognize a stroke and thus help mitigate the negative effects.

The IHP houses a robust research enterprise, and several of our renowned researchers focus on aspects of stroke recovery and the effects of stroke on areas like speech, language and brain activity. Pursuant to the IHP model of interprofessional collaboration and translational research, under the umbrella of the Tedy's Team Stroke Center, researchers from different disciplines are able to work together, share information, and see how their research findings might have a direct impact on the rehabilitation of stroke survivors.

Meet our Researchers

Our Center utilizes the expertise within already existing MGH Institute of Health Professions clinical centers (Aphasia Center, Ionta Physical Therapy Center, Tabor/Connor Occupational Therapy Center, and Ruth Sleeper Nursing Center) to address the highly complex issues of stroke rehabilitation that cannot be solved by one discipline alone. At these clinical centers, graduate students provide clinical care under the supervision of licensed faculty clinicians at no charge to community members. Access to services varies depending on the time of year and students enrolled in a particular program. If you are interested in services, fill out the form below and a member of our Center will be in touch.

Inquire about services

Tedy speaks to the camera and sits in a chair next to heidi
Tedy speaks to the camera and sits in a chair next to heidi

The statistics around stroke are alarming:

  • Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke.
  • Every hour, 17 people die of a stroke.
  • More than half of stroke survivors 65 and older have reduced mobility and challenges during daily living.
  • Nearly 4 in 10 survivors are left with aphasia, which affects the ability to understand speech, speak, read, write, and use numbers.

Acting fast for yourself or someone you know is critical, but that can only happen when you know the warning signs and symptoms of stroke. 

the words BE FAST: balance difficulties, eyesight changes, face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties, time to call 911
Tedy Bruschi, stroke survivor and former New England Patriot, and his wife Heidi hope the partnership can build a stronger voice for stroke survivors while creating a new model for stroke rehabilitation.
Tedy Bruschi, stroke survivor and former New England Patriot, and his wife Heidi hope the partnership can build a stronger voice for stroke survivors while creating a new model for stroke rehabilitation.
Stories

Tedy’s Team Gifts $1 Million to Fund Center of Excellence in Stroke Recovery

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If you are interested in supporting the important work of this center through a charitable contribution, please contact Meagan Sheffield.

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MGH Institute of Health Professions Charlestown Navy Yard 36 1st Avenue Boston MA 02129-4557
(617) 726-2947