As a team member of the adjunct wellness program, my goal is to provide holistic and yoga therapist service, one-on-one or in small

therapeutic groups, to patients in collaboration with referrals based on rehabilitation therapists request from physicians, palliative doctors, the behavioral health unit, trauma unit and chapelin. Target Acute Care Patient Population: Palliative patients dealing with mild to severe pain control issues Patients with new diagnosis of Cancer, HIV/AIDS, CVA, TBI Neurological patients suffering from acute brain injuries, strokes, brain tumors and/or seizures Patients grieving from the lost of physical/cognitive limitation due to acute diagnosis Patients in need of stretching, gait training, and strengthening as part of physical therapy Patients who have undergone orthopedic surgeries: hip surgery, back surgery, knee surgery, etc.) Patients who underwent bariatric surgery (gastric bypass) dealing with physical and psychological changes in body image Patients in need of stress relief of suffering from trauma (victims of physical, emotional and/or sexual assaults) Working with patients in the Behavioral Health Unit: PTS, dementias, bipolar disorders, depression/anxiety, panic attacks, suicide ideologies, dual-diagnosis substance abuse/metal health disorders Trauma Floor patients: alcohol/drug addictions withdrawals, crime victims, etc.) Patients transitioning to hospice care for quality of life comfort care Assist patients spiritual connection facing serious, complex illnesses Patients wheelchairs bound in need of adaptive therapy

Advantages: Pain reduction Stress management Boost immune system Improve metabolic system Increase alpha brain waves oxygen enriched blood flow through body systems expel of toxic creates muscular fluidity for increase range of motion increase bone marrow cells for bone reparation antidote for depression/ anxiety sense off presence physically/mental/spiritual, in spite of difficult circumstance Facilitate stage of acceptance

Yoga relieves side effects from medical treatment (i.e. nausea, muscle fatigue and soreness, etc.)

Outcome: Increase in patient satisfaction rates Recognition of quality patients services Patient participant in self management and healing at own unique level Decrease in length of hospital stay Speed up rehabilitation process Moves patient into greater emotional acceptance of diagnosis Eases and guides patient through the stages of grieving process Facilitates positive choices and lifestyle changes Smooth the process of transition to acute care to rehabilitation facility Facilitate transition into hospice/comfort care living Aids in neurological challenges: neurological functioning processing issues, calming brain agitation, flat affect As pain reduces, allows next step of rehabilitation process Creates homeostasis in right and left brain hemisphere Improves patients attitude and interpersonal relationships Improves positive communication between patient/hospital team Increases moral of patient/hospital team Spiritually uplifting Spiritually connected

If you desire specific research on the healing effects of yoga therapy I will be very happy to provide in-depth verification. Overall, yoga therapy nourishes every level of our vital life force and instinctively contributes a greater sense of well being in all of the developmental domains: physical, cognitive, emotional and spiritual. I hope this information opens a new awareness, of the benefits of adjunct holistic and yoga therapy, in the healing and self management of acute care patients at Scripps Mercy Hospital. It is my intent to be instrumental in the development and implementation of an integrated health and wellness program for the patients at Scripps Mercy Hospital. With gratitude, Gina Tricamo, R.Y. T., M-H.Y.T.