Advanced Certifications, Personalized Care: Inside EAMC’s Stroke Rehab Program

When a stroke turns life upside down, recovery depends on more than determination—it takes a team of specialists with the highest levels of training. 

At East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC), the stroke rehabilitation team consists of therapists whose advanced stroke certifications set them apart, combining nationally recognized expertise with compassionate, hands-on care to help patients regain independence and confidence every step of the way.

Stewart Jackson, director of Rehab Services at EAMC, believes that the department’s emphasis on credentialed care is paramount in ensuring stroke patients receive the highest possible care.

“We have a department goal to add three new stroke certifications annually, which does not happen without alignment from everyone in this building,” Jackson said. “We want to set the bar for stroke care in the state of Alabama.”

Rehabilitation is a critical component of stroke recovery, providing patients with the tools and support they need to regain strength, mobility, and independence. Through a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, the rehab team helps individuals relearn essential skills, improve coordination, and adapt to any lasting impairments.

Within the Rehab Services Department at EAMC, nine individuals hold stroke-specific certifications including four Neurodevelopmental Treatment certifications and five Stroke and Rehabilitation Specialist certifications. These credentials reflect advanced training beyond standard licensure, demonstrating that the team has mastered specialized techniques for restoring movement, function and independence in stroke patients.

“If you have a stroke and come to East Alabama Health, you will be evaluated and treated by rehabilitation professionals who’ve completed advanced hands-on training; that’s a guarantee,” Jackson stated. 

EAMC has earned the American Heart Association’s “Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus” designation, a mark of excellence in research-based, high-quality stroke care. That standard of excellence carries through to the hospital’s rehabilitation team, where certified specialists work alongside neurologists and nurses to provide a seamless, comprehensive recovery experience for every stroke patient.

“We are led by such a great stroke team that values our input and actively collaborates with us in the decision-making process regarding what is the best pathway toward improvement for our patients,” Jackson said. “The collaboration between our stroke providers—Dr. Nojan Valadi and nurse practitioner Jayme Gardner—the nursing staff, and our therapists is where our strength comes from. Everyone plays such a crucial role.”

From therapists to nurses, every member of EAMC’s stroke team brings specialized knowledge and coordinated care, ensuring patients benefit from a seamless, expert-driven treatment and recovery experience.

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About East Alabama Health

East Alabama Health encompasses East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital in Valley, the Spencer Cancer Center in Opelika, the Auburn Medical Pavilion and a host of other key medical clinics and practices that help provide a continuum of care to patients throughout an 11-county area. EAMC is a 314-bed regional referral hospital that is currently under construction to add 30 critical care beds. EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital provides emergency and outpatient services while its campus also features a nursing home and an ambulatory surgery center. East Alabama Health employs about 3,800 people and is the second largest employer in the region, trailing only Auburn University.