National Rehabilitation Hosp

Pros

• The scheduling staff were excellent.
• Randy led the patient through a well-defined program of stretching, strengthening, gait and balance activities, and endurance training.
• Dorota provided thoughtful care and is an excellent PT with a broad range of experience.
• NRH Rehabilitation / MedStar Health delivers high-quality physical therapy services.
• Dr. Laura Malmut, MD, Rachael Cohen, PT, and Sarah Goldberg-O'Neil, OT, provide exceptional, compassionate, and highly professional care.
• The staff at NRH Rehabilitation / MedStar Health are great and really work with patients.
• Cece and Kim, orthopaedic physical therapists, helped the patient get back on track.
• Yami Nolasco demonstrated professionalism, was punctual, focused on the patient's needs, and helped improve balance and walking.

Cons

• The physician appeared to have very limited knowledge of the condition.
• Her statements contradicted established guidance and had no basis in the research literature.
• The reviewer believed she should have acknowledged lack of specialty and referred to a qualified specialist.
• The facility repeatedly dropped the ball, changing acceptance criteria at the last minute.
• MedStar's staff were described as negligent and careless, causing delays and poor coordination.
• The PT demonstrated a lack of basic analytical skills and proposed solutions without understanding the root cause.
• The PT allocated insufficient time for treatment and suggested exercises unrelated to the condition that did not alleviate pain.
• The PT discharged the patient after repeated feedback, stating she did not know how to proceed.
• The reviewer was left with a $650 bill deemed unfair given the lack of effective treatment.
• The front desk staff were described as lacking patience.

Review

A broad snapshot from a range of patient experiences at MedStar NRH Rehabilitation Network and related facilities reveals a spectrum of care, from standout professionalism and continuity to frustrations with specialty knowledge, communication, and administrative coordination. Across the narratives, several threads recur: the value of experienced, specialty-focused providers; the impact of timely referrals when a condition falls outside a clinician's primary area; the importance of clear explanations and home-program guidance in rehabilitation; and the consequences when scheduling, authorization, or billing processes create barriers or delays in care. Taken together, these accounts paint a nuanced picture of a health system that can deliver exceptional, person-centered rehabilitation while also exposing gaps that can undermine trust and outcomes.

One thread centers on the management of scoliosis and the importance of appropriate specialty input. One reviewer described an encounter with a physician who seemed to have limited knowledge about scoliosis and age-related conservative management. The critique was not merely about a disagreement over treatment; it highlighted the expectation that a practitioner recognize the limits of their specialty and provide a referral to a clinician with the necessary expertise. In this case, the patient appreciated that the scheduling staff promptly re-set the appointment with a doctor who did have the relevant experience, underscoring how timely, appropriate referral can preserve patient confidence and align care with best available knowledge.

Another prominent narrative concerns post-operative rehabilitation, particularly after total knee replacement. The reviewer praised Randy, a seasoned physical therapist, for leading a structured program that blended stretching, strengthening, gait and balance work, and endurance training. The continuity of care stood out: Randy's thorough, clinic-based instructions were complemented by clear home guidance, reinforcing the patient's progress. When Randy was unavailable for a few days, Dorota stepped in, asking thoughtful questions to ensure continuity of care and displaying her own depth of experience across diagnoses. The combination of Randy and Dorota, along with the clinic's support staff, is described as exemplary, contributing to meaningful functional gains and well-coordinated care delivery.

This thread of positive, multidisciplinary collaboration is echoed in broader praise for NRH Rehabilitation and MedStar Health's physical therapy services. A reviewer highlighted the high-quality PT services as a whole, praising the teamwork between therapists and clinical assistants. The care team - particularly noted were Dr. Laura Malmut, Rachael Cohen, and Sarah Goldberg-O'Neil - was described as amazing, delivering exceptional, compassionate, and highly professional care. The guidance and support from these clinicians were portrayed as making a tangible difference to patients' daily functioning, and the overall sentiment was one of strong endorsement for the rehabilitation team and the care environment.

Amid the positive notes, reviewers also shared experiences that illustrate why some patients feel the need to speak up or seek alternatives. One account referenced a sequence of administrative and logistical hurdles surrounding a patient transfer for a seriously ill active-duty relative. Despite being medically accepted for rehabilitation and despite careful patient transport planning, the facility repeatedly re-evaluated the acceptability of continuing continuous antibiotic therapy, eventually creating delays and transport challenges that extended the timeline by weeks. The writer described feeling let down by repeated last-minute changes and the burden this placed on families coordinating between different branches of military insurance (Tricare East and West). In the end, the reviewer chose to cut ties with MedStar due to the repeated functional barriers, illustrating how non-clinical processes can erode trust even when clinical care is capable.

Within the same set of narratives, a more pointed critique targeted a specific clinician, Mr. Chukwuma I. Okeke, PT. The reviewer characterized his clinical approach as lacking depth of analysis, delivering exercises that did not align with the patient's condition or relieve pain. Time management concerns were also raised: multiple scheduled patients crowded the calendar, leaving insufficient time for treatment. The reviewer's most concrete grievance was that, after repeatedly expressing concerns, Okeke asked clinic staff to discharge the patient rather than reevaluate the treatment plan. The financial dimension appeared in a separate claim: a $650 bill that the reviewer felt was unfair given the perceived lack of effective treatment. The critique extended to the leadership response, noting that even after reporting concerns to the Director, the billing issue remained unresolved in the reviewer's view. By contrast, the same reviewer contrasted Okeke unfavorably with Dr. Dorothy Dalton at Shady Grove, who reportedly identified the issue with two straightforward exercises, underscoring a belief that some clinicians achieve much more efficient and effective outcomes.

Other accounts highlighted individual therapists who earned high marks for their approach. Yami Nolasco, a physical therapist who treated a patient recovering from a ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement, was praised for professionalism and patient-centered focus. The reviewer appreciated Yami's pre-session file review, punctuality, and undivided attention during sessions, noting that the exercises helped improve balance and walking. This positive note underscores the ongoing value of personalized assessment, careful planning, and consistent patient engagement in achieving meaningful functional gains.

Finally, one particularly distressing narrative described care for a loved one with cancer, portraying the facility in the harshest terms. The reviewer recounted a series of grave concerns about neglect and poor conditions, including an incident where a patient's needs were not promptly attended to and basic hygiene issues were left unaddressed, culminating in a family member's death. The account used stark language to condemn the hospital's care during a vulnerable period, emphasizing how deeply negative experiences can tarnish trust in even highly regarded health systems when patient safety and dignity appear compromised.

Across these experiences, several themes emerge with striking clarity. The value of experienced, specialty-aligned clinicians who acknowledge the limits of their expertise and refer appropriately is repeatedly affirmed. Continuity of care - kept intact by dependable therapists who communicate effectively and provide clear rationale for exercises - consistently yields positive patient-reported outcomes. Yet administrative and logistical issues - the scheduling of appointments, inter-facility authorizations, and billing practices - also shape overall satisfaction and, in some cases, influence decisions to seek care elsewhere. The feedback reflects both admiration for compassionate, professional clinicians and concern when systemic processes fail to keep pace with clinical excellence. In this landscape, patients repeatedly call for transparent communication, timely referrals, and consistent, person-centered care that respects the patient's goals and the realities of their medical needs.

This part of Washington, DC is a vibrant and convenient area with a variety of amenities nearby. With several hospitals and medical centers in close proximity, access to healthcare is readily available. There are also numerous pharmacies for medication needs. Public transportation options include several metro stations, making it easy to get around the city. For recreational activities, there are parks and theaters within a short distance for leisurely enjoyment. Additionally, there is a diverse selection of restaurants and cafes offering different cuisines and dining experiences. Overall, this neighborhood offers a mix of healthcare facilities, transportation options, entertainment venues, and dining establishments that cater to various interests and needs for senior living.

Hospitals

• Medstar Washington Hospital Center (0.1 miles)
• Children's National Medical Center (0.2 miles)
• Howard University Hospital (1 miles)

Physicians

• Children's National - Main Hospital (0.2 miles)
• Mary's Center (1.6 miles)
• One Medical (2.2 miles)
• One Medical (2.2 miles)
• The Centers For Advanced Orthopaedics (2.4 miles)
• American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (3.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (0.7 miles)
• St Joseph Catholic Church on Capitol Hill (2.6 miles)
• St Peter's School on Capitol Hill (3.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)

Transportation

• Georgia Ave-Petworth Metro Station (0.8 miles)
• Rhode Island Ave - Brentwood Metro Station (1.1 miles)
• Shaw-Howard University Metro Station (1.2 miles)
• NoMa-Gallaudet U Metro Station (1.7 miles)
• Union Station Metro (2.2 miles)
• McPherson Square Metro Station (2.3 miles)
• Judiciary Square Metro Station (2.3 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema DC Bryant Street (1 miles)
• Regal Gallery Place & 4DX (2.2 miles)
• AMC Georgetown 14 (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Right Proper Brewing Company (1.1 miles)
• Garden District (1.5 miles)
• Chicken + Whiskey (1.6 miles)
• Republic Cantina (1.6 miles)
• Le Diplomate (1.7 miles)
• Red Bear Brewing Compa (1.8 miles)
• Number Nine (1.8 miles)

Parks

• Meridian Hill Park (1.4 miles)
• S Street Dog Park (1.8 miles)
• Fort Slocum Park (2.1 miles)
• Stanton Park (2.6 miles)
• Capitol Reflecting Pool (2.8 miles)
• Lincoln Park (3 miles)
• Rock Creek Park (3.3 miles)

Cafes

• The Coffee Bar (1.4 miles)
• Unconventional Diner (1.8 miles)
• L Street Coffee (1.8 miles)
• A Baked Joint (1.9 miles)
• Dolcezza (2.2 miles)
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (2.2 miles)
• Lost Sock Roasters (3 miles)