The Nathaniel Witherell Welcomes Physiatrist Laura Gruber, MD

The Nathaniel Witherell, a top rated 202-bed skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation center, is pleased to welcome Dr. Laura Gruber, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist (physiatrist), to its medical team. Dr. Gruber is affiliated with National Health Rehabilitation, a national organization of physiatrists, and takes over for Dr. Amishi Dharia, who established the Witherell’s physiatry program in September 2018.

“We are pleased to be able to offer convenient access to this important service at the Witherell,” says Allen Brown, executive director. “Dr. Gruber is skilled at developing individualized programs for pain management, and for helping residents achieve optimal outcomes for recovery. In the past, residents would have had to travel to an outside specialist for this care, but now it is available right here at the Witherell.”

Dr. Gruber sees patients from both the short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing units on Tuesdays and Fridays. As a physiatrist, she treats a wide variety of medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Typically, a physiatrist is involved in patient care when pain, weakness, or disability prevents an individual from achieving their desired level of independence. Physiatrists use a variety of techniques to help minimize pain, including exercise, injections, medication, prosthetics, physical therapy and devices.

“Dr. Gruber is already an important member of our medical team,” notes Brown. “Residents appreciate her expertise and bedside manner, and those with pain management issues find her services particularly helpful.”

Dr. Laura Gruber was graduated from Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, OH, and completed her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. She is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Association of Academic Physiatrists. Dr. Gruber gained first hand insight into rehabilitative health as a college-level women’s basketball player at John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH. There she was captain of the women’s Varsity Team. Currently, Dr. Gruber resides in Manhattan.