The University of Michigan Model Spinal Cord Injury Care
System has been in existence since 1985. It is part of one
of the most reputed Departments of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation in the country, ranked 11th best in the
nation in 2006 by US News and World Report. NIDRR has
renewed the UM Model SCI Care System's funding for the
period from 2006 to 2011.
What is a SCI Model System?
The concept of a Model System stresses combining innovative
research with education and provision of a continuum of
care, focusing on the overall needs of people with spinal
cord injuries. All Model System programs provide information
about their participants to the
National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center in a
strictly confidential manner. The result is the world’s
largest SCI database. It has been the source of information
for many important studies, conducted at the U-M and
throughout the nation.
Our Objectives
To conduct innovative site-specific and collaborative
research studies and disseminate the findings from this
research. Most dissemination is done through publications in
peer reviewed journals and conference presentations.
To provide information about the findings of important new
research conducted elsewhere. This is done through our SCI
Lecture Series.
To be involved in a continuum of comprehensive clinical
services, beginning immediately after injury, proceeding
through inpatient care, and continuing after discharge from
the hospital, through the Department's out-patient clinics
and various support services. We help develop, deliver, and
evaluate innovative service programs to address the physical
and psychosocial needs of people with SCI that are
frequently unmet through traditional rehabilitation.
To engage in outreach activities which promote community
reintegration. We do this though our partnership with
community agencies, in particular, the Ann Arbor Center for
Independent Living.
To pool information about the experiences of our patients
with those from the other 13 Model Spinal Cord Injury
Systems, promoting large-scale longitudinal research on a
variety of topics.
To provide information regarding living effectively with SCI
to our former patients, their family members, and other
interested parties, through our annual conference,
semi-annual SCI access newsletter and other occasional
consumer-oriented publications.
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