Patients in Oklahoma will now learn to walk again better and more safely thanks to donors who funded state-ofthe- art equipment.
Norman Regional Health System is the first in Oklahoma to offer a ZeroG robotic body-weight support system. This system improves the quality of life for patients through strength and mobility for those who have experienced stroke, traumatic brain injury,spinalcordinjury,cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, amputees and orthopedic injury.
This system allows physical therapists to work using a reduced gravity-like environment allowing patients more freedom to move without the fear.
“If we want to offer our patients the best available care, we have to get them walking faster and further. A tool like the ZeroG ensures we can do this safely,” said Ben Vandaveer, a physical therapist and manager of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Norman Regional.
The Norman Regional Health Foundation, a nonprofit that supports Norman RegionalHealthSystem,funded this system through its $4 million Equipped for Tomorrow campaign. Local donors gave their support to this equipment knowing the impact it would have on the state and those regaining abilities.
“Our donors heard from both therapists and patients who had used this system in other states. They knew the outstanding results that the entireteamexperienced.Now patients will no longer have to drive out-of-state to get this life-altering treatment,” said Erin Barnhart, executive director of The Norman Regional Health Foundation.
