Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, BETHESDA, MD  –   The Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center held “Spirit Week” during the last week of October as part of its adaptive reconditioning program. The week featured daily physical fitness competitions such as pickle ball, volleyball, and basketball, and team building exercises like “Draw your Squad Leader,” group problem solving, and a pumpkin painting contest. Spirit Week is a great way to build morale for those in the SRU, focusing on physical and cognitive activities, and is for Army Soldiers in recovery.

Dr. Jessica Best is the physical therapist for the Bethesda Soldier Recovery Unit, a board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy (PT), and Adaptive Reconditioning Program Manager for the Soldier Recovery Brigade, National Capital Region.

“At the Soldier Recovery Brigade, we run an adaptive re-conditioning program for the Soldiers in recovery here. They [have access to] activities to assist with their recovery, and help with their transition,” said Best.

Speaking to adaptive reconditioning Best said, “It’s a way to help [Soldiers] maintain competitiveness and independence. We adapt [the events] so they can compete and do something meaningful, and it helps build community with others in a similar situation.”

Best leads a team comprised of a recreational therapist, an occupational therapist and occupational therapist assistant, and a physical therapist assistant, and works with specialists for adaptive programs. For example, "Team River Runner" is an organization that provides adaptive kayaking, paddle boarding, and white-water rafting for our Soldiers in recovery.

Best says these programs give Soldiers an opportunity to “get out in nature and away from a hospital setting and facilitate their goals.”

November is “Warrior Care Month.” Throughout the month, various activities take place that involve all the branches of the military.

One such event is an adaptive sports camp hosted by Navy Wounded Warrior with Mr. Lee Whitford (Navy). “This is an amazing week-long event facilitating coaching and competition in the adaptive individual and team sports seen at Warrior Games. said Best.

“Warrior Care Month featured a Warrior Care Event on November 5 and 6 coordinated by Dr. Rachel Jordan (Marines). It consisted of specialty clinics for adaptive yoga, massage and stretch therapy sessions, promoting total body wellness, as well as mental and physical resilience. “I presented a lecture on understanding pain,” said Best.

Best and her team hosted a 5K and Second Annual SRU Turkey Trot on November 14. For this event, participants can walk, run or cycle. “We also do collaborations with Harvey Naranjo, the hospital’s lead of the adaptive sport program, who works with the service dog programming as well.”