Minneapolis, MN: Local DVBIC Activities

Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Minneapolis, MN

The Minneapolis VAMC is one of four Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers (PRC) and one of 22 Polytrauma Network Sites (PNS) in the Veterans Health Administration Polytrauma System of Care. As such, we provide inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services to veterans and active duty service members who have sustained polytrauma injuries, including traumatic brain injury. In October 2007, we opened our Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation program (PTRP). This 10-bed, residential program provides interdisciplinary rehabilitation to assist veterans and service members reach their highest level of independent functioning in their home community.

The Minneapolis VA Brain Injury Team was established in 1984 to provide inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. We have been a member of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center since 1992 and have served as a PRC and PNS since the VHA Polytrauma System of Care was created in 2003.  Our inpatient, outpatient, and transitional polytrauma/TBI services are CARF accredited. 

The Minneapolis VAMC is a tertiary care facility which provides the full range of ancillary services, such as neurosurgery, psychiatry, and neuro-ophthalmology, required by severely injured patients. All staff has received specialized professional training in the care of individuals with brain injury. Referrals are accepted from throughout the United States. Admission criteria to the inpatient unit include: medical stability, personal goals compatible with the program, need for the services of a physiatrist and an interdisciplinary team; and a reasonable expectation of improvement and discharge to a less restrictive level of care.

Our rehabilitation programs are interdisciplinary with patient and family as integral members of the team. Family involvement is encouraged throughout the rehabilitation stay and family members are encouraged to observe in therapy sessions and participate in evening and weekend activities.

The Minneapolis VAMC has a Fisher House on campus for free family accommodations. Pro-active case management is an integral element in the rehabilitation process. From the time of the initial referral, the brain injury case manager is actively involved in assessing patient and family needs and coordinating necessary services while maintaining awareness of funding opportunities.

The Minneapolis VA maintains academic affiliations with several professional schools in the local area and has one of the largest education and training programs in the VA system. The Minneapolis Polytrauma/TBI Program serves as a training site for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residents from the University of Minnesota. We are also a training institution for a broad variety of allied rehabilitation services, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech/language pathology, nursing and advanced practice nursing.

The Minneapolis VAMC is a modern facility with three glass-ceilinged atria where waiting areas and the cafeteria are located, a computer lab, and a patient education center. The facility is located a short distance from the Twin Cities Metropolitan Airport and the Mall of America. It is easily accessible by major highways as well as by public transportation.  
Minneapolis is noted for the natural beauty of its lakes and parks, and is nationally recognized for the arts.