Dr. Barry Jordan_ Pioneering the Future of Rehabilitation with Innovation and Compassion.pdf

A key figure in driving these advancements is Dr. Barry Jordan, Chief Medical Officer at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.

1. Dr. Barry Jordan: Pioneering the Future of
Rehabilitation with Innovation and Compassion

What if someone you love suffered a serious injury or illness and the advanced
rehabilitation services they needed weren’t available? Recovery could become
frustrating and overwhelming, with basic tasks like walking or speaking feeling
impossible. Innovators in healthcare technology change this by combining
compassionate care with tools like brain-computer interfaces (BCI), exoskeletons,
telemedicine, and AI-powered therapies.
Their work goes beyond treating symptoms—it helps patients reclaim mobility,
independence, and hope. By introducing groundbreaking, patient-focused
solutions, these innovators bridge the gap between technology and care, making
recovery faster, smarter, and more effective for those who need it most.

2. A key figure in driving these advancements is Dr. Barry Jordan, Chief Medical
Officer at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.
With deep expertise in neuroimaging and genetics, he leads and supports
cutting-edge research and the implementation of innovative solutions,
including:

●​Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI): Allow patients to control devices and
regain functional independence.
●​Exoskeleton-assisted mobility: Helps patients relearn walking and
regain strength.
●​Functional ultrasound imaging: Provides real-time monitoring of brain
activity.
●​Augmentative communication systems: Support daily living for patients
with communication challenges.

3. Under his leadership, the center has expanded its rehabilitation capacity to serve
underserved populations and has integrated emerging technologies like AI,
telemedicine, and vagal nerve stimulation, positioning the organization as a
leader in patient care.
Dr. Jordan emphasizes compliance, safety, and ethical standards, ensuring
experimental procedures undergo rigorous review, while fostering collaborations
with other innovators to expand the center’s technological reach. Thanks to his
guidance, patients regain independence through advanced therapies, and the
organization has strengthened its reputation as a safety-net hospital. Through
his vision and active involvement, Dr. Jordan continues to drive organizational
growth and reshape the future of rehabilitation healthcare with innovation,
patient-centered strategies, and compassionate leadership. A Lifelong Passion for Healthcare Technology
Dr. Barry Jordan has always been deeply interested in healthcare technology,
with a particular focus on advances in neuroimaging and genetics. Early in his
career, he applied advanced neuroimaging techniques to assess brain injuries in
athletes experiencing repetitive head trauma, helping to understand the
long-term effects of such injuries.
He also conducted research exploring how specific genes may influence recovery
outcomes from these injuries. Given Rancho Los Amigos’ longstanding
reputation as a leader in rehabilitation healthcare and its commitment to
integrating cutting-edge technology with patient care, joining the center was a
natural step in his journey. It allowed him to contribute to an organization that
aligns with his vision of innovation-driven, patient-centered rehabilitation.
Restoring Health and Rebuilding Lives

4. The mission of Rancho Los Amigos is to restore health, rebuild lives, and bring
hope to individuals facing life-changing illnesses, injuries, or disabilities.
Central to this mission is a patient-focused approach that prioritizes the
individual needs of each patient. Under Dr. Jordan’s leadership, the center has
embraced innovation by supporting research initiatives, implementing emerging
technologies, and fostering a culture where clinical breakthroughs are translated
into practical, life-improving patient care.

Advanced Care
Dr. Barry Jordan supports and guides the center’s clinical researchers, helping
implement technologies that directly enhance patient outcomes:

5. ●​Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) program: Led by Dr. Charles Liu, helps
patients regain functional independence.
●​Epilepsy Monitoring Unit: Under Dr. Susan Shaw, advances care for
complex epilepsy cases.
●​Vagal Nerve Stimulators: Treat intractable epilepsy.
●​Pathokinesiology Lab: Uses advanced technology for precise gait
analysis.
●​Center for Applied Rehabilitation Technology (CART): Provides
augmentative communication systems and electronic aids to assist daily
living.
Ensuring Safe and Continuous Care During COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine became an essential tool at
Rancho Los Amigos, allowing patients to continue receiving care safely through
virtual visits while minimizing exposure to infectious agents. While the full

6. potential of AI in rehabilitation is still being explored, it is clear that technology
can never replace the human aspects of care, such as empathy and compassion.
Among the center’s innovative advancements is functional ultrasound imaging,
which enables clinicians to monitor brain activity through an acoustically
transparent cranial window. This technique involves replacing part of the skull
with a customized translucent implant, providing real-time, detailed observation
of neurological structures and functional processes, and allowing for more
precise and effective patient care.

Funding Shortages Impact Healthcare Technology
One of the main challenges in adopting new healthcare technologies is the
reduction in government funding for advanced research and development. To
address this, Dr. Jordan emphasizes the importance of private sector

7. involvement and investment in emerging technologies, ensuring that innovation
continues even in the face of funding constraints.
Collaborative Efforts to Revolutionize Rehabilitation Healthcare
Rancho Los Amigos is actively exploring partnerships with leading companies in
the field of BCI, focusing on technologies where implanted computer chips can
enhance and support neurological function. These collaborations aim to expand
the center’s technological capabilities and accelerate the translation of research
into practical patient care.
AI Improves Diagnostics
Dr. Barry Jordan is particularly enthusiastic about the potential of AI in
rehabilitative healthcare. While AI can significantly enhance diagnostic and
treatment processes, he stresses that it can never replace the empathetic and
compassionate aspects of patient care, which remain central to rehabilitation
success.
Real-World Success Stories
Here are some notable examples where innovative technologies at Rancho Los
Amigos have directly transformed patient outcomes:
●​Robotic arm control: Using BCI technology, a paralyzed patient was able
to control a robotic arm with their thoughts, allowing them to perform
everyday tasks such as drinking from a cup independently. This
breakthrough demonstrates how cutting-edge neurotechnology can
restore a sense of autonomy and improve the quality of life for patients
with severe motor impairments.
●​Exoskeleton-assisted walking: Advanced exoskeleton therapies enabled
patients with limited mobility to relearn walking, regain strength, and
restore independence in their daily activities. By providing both physical

8. support and targeted rehabilitation, these devices have helped patients
achieve milestones that were previously considered impossible,
transforming recovery outcomes.
Rigorous IRB Review
All experimental technologies at Rancho Los Amigos undergo rigorous
Institutional Review Board (IRB) review to ensure patient safety and minimize
potential risks. Procedures that are considered too risky are not pursued,
ensuring that innovation is balanced with ethical responsibility and patient
well-being.
Providing Care for Underserved Populations
Rancho Los Amigos recently expanded its rehabilitation bed capacity from 75 to
100, improving access for underserved populations. Neurorehabilitation services
are often limited for individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and
Rancho Los Amigos’s role as a safety-net hospital ensures that these patients
receive the specialized care they might otherwise be denied.
The Future of Rehabilitation
Dr. Barry Jordan shares that neuro-restoration is shaping the future of
neurorehabilitation, offering the potential to restore neurological function
through stem cells, AI, and other emerging technologies. He emphasizes that
existing methods can also be applied in innovative ways—for example, combining
vagal nerve stimulation with therapy to improve upper limb recovery after a
stroke.
According to Dr. Barry Jordan, the integration of such technologies promises to
make rehabilitation more effective, personalized, and capable of restoring
patients’ independence and quality of life.

9. Dr. Barry Jordan’s 5 Impactful Business Mantras
1.​Patient-Centered Innovation: Prioritize solutions that directly improve
patient outcomes and quality of life.
2.​Embrace Emerging Technology: Leverage AI, neurotechnology, and
rehabilitation tools to advance care.
3.​Collaborate for Growth: Build partnerships to accelerate research,
development, and practical application.
4.​Ethics and Safety First: Ensure all innovations undergo rigorous review
to protect patients and maintain trust.
5.​Access for All: Expand services to underserved populations, making
advanced care inclusive and equitable.