Dr. Joy Perkey

“My primary focus is returning function and improving quality of life for my patients. It is a privilege to work with them on their rehab journey.”

ABOUT Dr. Joy Perkey
EDUCATION
PUBLICATIONS
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
ABOUT Dr. Joy Perkey

Fellowship trained in Brain Injury Medicine, Dr. Perkey specializes in neuro-rehabilitation. This encompasses diagnoses that involve the spinal cord and the brain, and can include strokes, brain injury, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis. As the medical director of the inpatient rehabilitation unit at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, she sees while they are in the inpatient rehab center, as well as follow up visits at The Center to provide continuity of care after they leave the hospital.

Prior to joining The Center, Dr. Perkey worked in a similar role at Providence Health and Services in Portland, Oregon and as a brain injury specialist at WellSpan Health in York, Pennsylvania. Her interest in medicine began at an early age, with a fascination of the human body and brain connection. She pursued a degree in cell biology and neuroscience in college and ultimately decided to pursue a career in medicine with influence from her mother, a nurse in the ICU. She completed her extensive medical training and was able to combine her passions of neuroscience and caring for others in this rewarding and unique role.

The most gratifying part of working in neuro-rehabilitation is working with the patients to help them regain function. The entire care team, including the nurses, therapists, and physician colleagues, is dedicated to help patients on their rehab journey. She joined The Center because it has the most comprehensive program for orthopedic, neurosurgical, and physiatry care in the community, and is embedded in the St. Charles inpatient rehab system. This allows Dr. Perkey to provide continuity of care, seeing patients both in the inpatient and outpatient settings, to help them achieve their goals.

EDUCATION

Brain Injury FellowshipUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania

Board Certification: American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, American Board of Pain Medicine 

Residency: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program

Medical School: New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York

Undergraduate Education: Rutgers College, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey

Professional Memberships: American Medical Association, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, International Brain Injury Association, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine

PUBLICATIONS

Presentations

  • Rehabilitation Quality Improvement Meeting, Transfers to Acute Care, May 2013.
  • ACSM Annual Meeting Clinical Case Presentation, Groin Pain – Weight Lifting, May 2012.
  • Department Grand Rounds Lecture, Vitamin D and its Role in Rehabilitation, October 2011.

Research

  • Codera BJ, Chimes, GP. Groin Pain – Weight Lifting. Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise. Volume 44 (5S), May 2012.
  • Almond G, Crimmins A, Kim D, Codera BJ, Fullington N, Howell JE, Cody K, Bania TC. Emergency Department Patients Perception, Knowledge and Opinion of Rapid HIV Testing and HIV/AIDS. SAEM Annual Meeting Abstract. Academic Emergency Medicine 2008 May 15(s1).
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
  • Administrative Elective, March 2013. Analyzed data on inpatient rehabilitation transfers to acute care to identify trends and areas of improvement. Implemented an audit tool for transfers to be able to analyze data in the future. Initiated Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Consult templates for inpatient rehabilitation admission criteria
  • Neurotrauma Focus Group Co-lead, December 2016 – January 2019. Directing initiatives for Providence Health system surrounding neurotrauma to roll out evidence based diagnosis and treatment programs across the system
  • Neuro CAP Steering Committee Physician Member, September 2018 – present. Physiatrist involved in community outreach and decision making around initiatives across the rehabilitation spectrum (acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, home health and outpatient therapies) focusing on evidence based patient care
  • Initiating Comprehensive Wheelchair Clinic program for Providence Health System in Portland, March 2020 – present. Planning and in the phase of implementing a comprehensive wheelchair clinic with Physiatry and Physical Therapy. The goal of the team is to minimize visits for patients with appropriate evaluation and documentation completed in order to assist with patients obtaining their equipment without delay.