From pediatric orthopedics through treatment of seniors with osteoporosis, SportMed physicians, trainers and therapists not only treat patients, but also provide public education on the prevention of injuries both on and off the playing field. Another focus on rehabilitation is UMC's Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Institute. At UMC, social workers, therapists and nurses also work closely in the Skilled Nursing Facility. There, patients receive round the clock care and rehabilitation, while families receive special support in coping with often life-altering decisions regarding their loved ones. UMC also houses the Asthma and Allergy Center of the Southwest.
Nationwide studies show an increase in the number of asthma and allergy-related illnesses each year.
Each year, many patients receive the gift of sight, thanks to the specialized training in corneal transplantation by UMC's ophthalmology department. Dedicated to research and treatment of various debilitating illnesses including glaucoma and macular degeneration, the department of ophthalmology is also home to the Texas Eye Injury Registry. The Hearing and Speech Care Center at UMC focuses on the other senses by helping individuals better cope with a wide range of difficulties. Speech therapists, for instance, work with patients following a stroke to help them re-learn to eat, swallow, talk and function again independently. The Center also offers the latest in digital hearing devices and diagnoses.