Becker’s Healthcare Podcast: In-Depth Discussion with Dr. Erika Trovato on Advancing Brain Injury Care

Episode: Dr. Erika Trovato on Advancing Brain Injury Care and Access at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
Release Date: July 16, 2025
Host: Elizabeth Gregerson
Guest: Dr. Erika Trovato, Associate Chief Medical Officer at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital

The latest episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast delves into the critical and evolving field of brain injury care with Dr. Erika Trovato, Associate Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Brain Injury Medicine Program at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in White Plains, New York. Hosted by Elizabeth Gregerson, the conversation offers a comprehensive exploration of current practices, challenges, and future trends in brain health, providing valuable insights for healthcare professionals and stakeholders alike.

Introduction to Dr. Erika Trovato and Burke Rehabilitation Hospital

Elizabeth Gregerson opens the discussion by introducing Dr. Trovato and highlighting the unique position of Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in the national and international landscape of acute inpatient rehabilitation, particularly in brain injury medicine and neurorehabilitation.

Dr. Trovato shares her extensive background, emphasizing Burke’s commitment to providing a full continuum of inpatient and outpatient services, which cater to patients at every stage of their recovery journey.

“Burke is a nationally recognized and accredited not-for-profit healthcare provider, really specializing in rehabilitation treatment, research, and graduate medical education.”
— Dr. Erika Trovato [00:47]

She discusses her eight-year tenure at Burke, her role in expanding the graduate medical education department by introducing a brain injury fellowship program, and her responsibilities as Associate Chief Medical Officer to enhance clinical excellence from an administrative perspective.

The State of Brain Health in Public Consciousness

The conversation shifts to the prevalence of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in the United States, with Dr. Trovato providing sobering statistics:

“Nearly 3 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury each year. And an estimated 5.3 million Americans live with a long-term disability resulting from a TBI.”
— Elizabeth Gregerson [02:33]

Dr. Trovato asserts that brain health is gaining more recognition, citing increased research efforts, education, and resources focused on concussions and other TBIs across various sectors, including sports and legislative bodies.

“We know that from everywhere, from the NFL to our high school sports teams, even to conversations around the dinner table… there is more awareness of what a traumatic brain injury is, the need for diagnosis, as well as the awareness in regards to treatment protocols.”
— Dr. Erika Trovato [03:01]

She highlights the importance of community and healthcare resources in managing TBIs and the role of organizations like the Brain Injury Association of New York State in advocating for legislative support and funding.

Day-to-Day Operations and Multidisciplinary Care at Burke

Dr. Trovato provides an inside look into the daily operations at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital’s specialized units, focusing on personalized care for patients with brain injuries.

“We have a 30-bed locked unit that is really tailored toward personalizing our care for our patients who have sustained a brain injury.”
— Dr. Erika Trovato [08:15]

She describes the interdisciplinary team comprising physicians, nurses, case managers, social workers, neuropsychologists, and various therapists who collaborate to create individualized recovery plans. Emphasis is placed on understanding each patient's baseline functionality, current status, and recovery goals to ensure patient-centered care.

“What we do so well is that we look at every facet, every component of a patient's current status, what they were prior to having sustained an injury, and then what we want that future to look like for them.”
— Dr. Erika Trovato [08:15]

Dr. Trovato discusses the intensive therapy regimen at Burke, which includes at least three hours of therapy five days a week, and the importance of involving caregivers early in the rehabilitation process to facilitate a smooth transition back to the community.

“Another key component to what we do on a daily basis is making sure that the patient's caregiver is involved as early as possible in regards to education, understanding what the patient currently is able to do and what they're not able to do.”
— Dr. Erika Trovato [14:17]

Emerging Trends and Developments in Brain Health

Addressing broader industry trends, Dr. Trovato identifies several key areas of innovation and research that are shaping the future of brain injury care:

1. Early Diagnosis Through Biomarkers:

   “There is a lot of research and innovation looking at available biomarkers in patients' blood that would signify if a patient has sustained a brain injury or not.”
   — Dr. Erika Trovato [14:54]

   The development of blood tests for immediate diagnosis of concussions on the sidelines of sports events exemplifies efforts to streamline and expedite TBI diagnosis.

2. Technological Advancements in Treatment:

   “There has been a lot of research and innovation from private tech and industry looking at different modalities of stimulating areas of the brain… to wake up parts of the brain to make it so that patients have greater potential at recovery.”
   — Dr. Erika Trovato [14:54]

   Innovations such as magnetic and electrical brain stimulation are being explored to enhance neuroplasticity and recovery outcomes.

3. Equitable Access to Care:
   Dr. Trovato emphasizes the disparities in access to brain injury care across different regions and the importance of making therapeutic modalities universally available.

   “Access to medicine and the variation in that standpoint really makes it so that we want to make our modalities and our interventions universally available to patients who have sustained a brain injury.”
   — Dr. Erika Trovato [14:54]

4. Educational Initiatives and Social Integration:
   Efforts to educate the public and normalize the conversation around invisible injuries like TBIs are crucial for supporting patients in their reintegration into society.

   “Their frustration comes from being able to reintegrate back into their community or their job or even their social circle.”
   — Dr. Erika Trovato [14:54]

Final Thoughts and Messages for Healthcare Leaders

As the discussion concludes, Dr. Trovato underscores the paramount importance of education and advocacy in improving brain injury outcomes. She calls on healthcare leaders to support patients throughout their continuum of care, emphasizing the critical role of timely intervention and sustained rehabilitation efforts.

“Education continues to be key and supporting our patients along the continuum of care… ensuring that they receive every ounce of potential that they possibly can towards their road to recovery.”
— Dr. Erika Trovato [19:29]

She highlights the concept of neuroplasticity and the necessity of intensive brain exercise in recovery, advocating for persistent advocacy to overcome barriers to access and support caregivers in their vital roles.

“Brain injuries can be an invisible injury… Are we meeting what matters most to our patients and are we supporting each other through their continued recovery and helping them live with this chronic disease.”
— Dr. Erika Trovato [19:29]

Elizabeth Gregerson wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude to Dr. Trovato for her invaluable insights, assuring listeners of the podcast’s commitment to shedding light on pivotal healthcare topics.

Conclusion

This episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast offers an enlightening examination of brain injury care, led by Dr. Erika Trovato’s expertise and leadership at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital. From the intricacies of daily multidisciplinary operations to the forefront of innovative research and the pressing need for equitable access and education, the discussion provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future directions of brain health in the United States. Healthcare professionals and decision-makers will find Dr. Trovato’s perspectives both informative and inspiring as they navigate the complexities of advancing patient care in this critical field.

For more insightful discussions and expert interviews, visit Becker's Healthcare Podcast.