Care Team
The multidisciplinary care team works diligently with patients and their family members to design individualized treatment plans to help patients achieve their greatest level of independence during their recovery process. The rehabilitation team includes trained physicians, nurses, dietitians, case managers, clinical liaison, respiratory therapists, occupational, speech and physical therapists.
- Medical director/physiatrist - The physiatrist is a physician who specializes in rehabilitation and physical medicine.
- Nurses - Rehabilitation nurses provide hands-on patient care, administer medications and educate patients regarding bowel and bladder training, skin management and medication management. The nursing staff, which includes registered nurses and certified nursing assistants, help patients carry over new skills learned in therapies, including the use of adaptive equipment and safe transfer techniques.
- Case management team - Case managers serve as the patient care coordinator and collaborates with the rehabilitation team, payors and vendors to assist patients and their family members with discharge planning needs, including medical equipment and any necessary follow-up care.
- Respiratory therapists - Respiratory therapists provide treatments as indicated by the physician, and monitors patients' respiratory status, while maintaining or improving function of the airway, lungs and respiratory system.
- Dietitian - Dietitians assess individuals' dietary needs, create personalized nutrition plans and provide guidance on healthy eating habits.
- Clinical liaison - The clinical liaison coordinates internal and external referrals and collaborates with the medical director to determine the patient's appropriateness for the acute inpatient rehabilitation program.
Physical Medicine and Rehab Physicians
Dr. David Pitts, Medical Director
After his first year of residency at The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Dr. David Pitts completed his physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 2022 - a recognized national model spinal cord injury treatment center.
Prior to relocating to Florida, Dr. David Pitts practiced with the National Rehabilitation Hospital and Georgetown University, where he served as a department chief and medical director for a satellite unit. He also was on the medical staff at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Since relocating to Collier County in 2011, Dr. David Pitts has provided inpatient rehabilitation medicine consultations as well as overseeing care of patients admitted to the rehabilitation hospital setting.
Dr. Pitts has been credited with the growth in volume and reputation of Brookdale Rehabilitation Hospital, where he served as medical director from 2011 to 2018.
Dr. Pitts has been selected to "Best Doctors" 12 of the past 15 years as voted by peer physicians. In 2014, Dr. Pitts received the prestigious annual C.O.M.P.A.S.S. award.
Dr. Pitts is an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation through The University of Central Florida College of Medicine. He teaches at local hospitals, including presentations of grand rounds such as stroke and neurologic recovery as well as pain medicine.
Dr. Pitts continues to enjoy excellent collegial relationships within the Naples area medical community. He continues his focus on inpatient rehabilitation and recovery of patients with neurologic, orthopedic and medically complex needs.
Dr. Paul Hurd, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Dr. Hurd attended undergraduate school at the University of Mississippi, where he earned a degree in biochemistry while playing football as a walk-on offensive lineman. He was a member of the Rebs of Steel in 2006 and 2007, an honor given to players with a special dedication to off-season weight training. He also earned All SEC Honor Roll in 2007. As a part of the team, he was featured on NCAA Football Video Games in 2006 and 2007.
Dr. Hurd went on to receive his medical training from LSU medical school in New Orleans, LA, where he graduated in 2013. He completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Temple University Hospital and Moss Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, a hospital consistently ranked in the top 10 rehabilitation hospitals in the country.
After completing residency, Dr. Hurd further subspecialized his medical knowledge by completing a fellowship program in interventional spine and sports medicine in Birmingham, AL. He began practicing in Ft. Myers, which ignited his family's love for SWFL.
Dr. Hurd moved to Northwest Arkansas to be close to family, where he served as medical director of a local rehabilitation hospital until 2022.
He is very excited to return to Southwest Florida and assist residents as they recover from serious injuries and illnesses, enabling them to return to activities that they enjoy.