Akron General Medical Center's mission is to improve the health and lives of our patients and community. An important aspect of this mission is rehabilitation - including Occupational Therapy, which emphasizes the social, mental, emotional, environmental and physiological effects of illness and injury. At Akron General, rehabilitation and occupational therapy are just as important as the diagnosis and treatment of illness, disease and injury.

Occupational therapy helps individuals become or remain independent. Occupational therapists give patients the "skills for the job of living," such as caring for themselves, cooking, homemaking and working. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who, because of illness, injury or impairment, need to relearn skills to return to productive, independent and satisfying lives.

Occupational Therapists are part of the team that helps guide people toward recovery and discharge from the hospital. Physicians, occupational therapists, nurses, social workers and care managers work together to plan for patient discharge. While we strive to return people to their home safely, we will work with patients and their families to recommend the best place for discharge, such as a rehab hospital or a skilled nursing facility. In addition, we have a certified hand therapist for treating hand and arm injuries at both the Akron General's main campus and Akron General's Health & Wellness Center - West.

The rehabilitation process is different for every patient. Sometimes it requires highly specialized types of therapy or different combinations of therapy. Through our special partnership with Edwin Shaw Rehab, patients and their physicians have access to the region's only comprehensive, fully accredited facility specializing in rehabilitation.

Akron General's Occupational Therapists are licensed by the State of Ohio and are required to complete continuing education to stay current with occupational therapy practice.

Comprehensive Physical Therapy services are also offered through Akron General.