After Gwen Ross’ brother was turned away from several rehabilitation centers, she took him to North Fulton Rehabilitation Center.

Ross said she was impressed by the team atmosphere and the patient centered focus.

“So many times when you go to the hospital, they are there just to do a job,” Ross said. “However at North Fulton everyone worked for the patient. They did not let outside factors such as insurance stop them from working for the patient. To them this was more than just a job, but a family.”

Dr. Alan Harben, Program Director of the center, said the staff makes every attempt to focus on the patient, caregivers and family members. He said by keeping this in mind, the staff can best serve the patient.

“Some patients who come in cannot do anything — they’re not able to swallow or move, for example. We are blessed with a very compassionate staff,” Harben said.

“My heart is very close to [the center] because they saved his life more so since he lacks the ability to communicate,” Ross said. “Many places had told me that since he could not speak well that I needed to put him in a nursing home. I was not going to put him in a nursing home where an attendant might have 10 patients and not know how to take care of a patient with a halo and aphasia.”

The staff at the center does a series of assessments before admitting a patient. While conducting these assessments, staff members look at each aliment to determine the best plan of action. Once a patient is admitted to the center, nurses and therapists work together to best rehabilitate them.

“We do our best to use our talented staff to the best of their expertise,” Harben said.

Ross said her brother fell and broke his neck and, after about a month in the hospital with a halo brace on, he could barely move.

But she said by the end of Stewart’s time in the rehab center, he was able to walk around and kick balls.

Harben said because the staff is willing to take on tough challenges, rarely does the staff have to turn a patient away. He also said his staff has the ability to develop a unique plan for each patient, where two or three team members work with a patient.

“At North Fulton we have a very qualified and matured staff that has the ability and compassion for each of our patients,” Harben said.

North Fulton Rehabilitation Center is at 3000 Hospital Blvd. Roswell. For more information visit www.nfultonhospital.com or call (770) 751-2500.