Linda Lind, senior vice president and Chief Operating Officer at Siskin Hospital, was presented with the Tennessee Hospital Association's 2009 Meritorious Service Award for Executive Staff.

Ms. Lind was honored at the 2009 THA Awards of Excellence, held during the THA's 71st annual meeting at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on Oct. 30.

Ms. Lind, who has worked at Siskin Hospital for over 20 years prior to the construction of the hospital, was honored for her dynamic leadership and commitment to the mission of the hospital and the patients it serves.

Initially the vice president of Clinical Services when she started working at Siskin Hospital in 1988, Ms. Lind was promoted to senior vice president and Chief Operating Officer in 1993.

As the second employee of Siskin Hospital, she was instrumental in the construction and oversight of the initial development of the hospital from the ground up, consistently providing a vision of excellence.

Ms. Lind's direction has been paramount in establishing Siskin Hospital as one of the most successful regional rehabilitation hospitals in the country. She keeps patient success goals in mind, while excelling as the daily liaison between the admitting medical staff, therapists and nursing staff.

She established Siskin Hospital's Community Re-Entry Program, which focuses directly on job training opportunities for patients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries. She also was the driving force that developed the Hosanna Community, which sustains a home where adults with disabilities live together and work to reach their greatest potential.

She also helped create many other services, such as the Brain Injury Unit and Driving Evaluation Program, which provide localized specialty care that otherwise would be unavailable in the area.

In addition, Ms. Lind was involved in a three-way partnership with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, University of Tennessee Chattanooga and Siskin Hospital to offer a Master's Degree Program in Occupational Therapy on the UTC campus.

Ms. Lind is an adjunct professor for the Physical Therapy Doctorate Program at UTC, a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and active in the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association. She also is a board member, executive committee member and state treasurer of the Tennessee Head Injury Association.

She received a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master's degree in Business Administration at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation is dedicated exclusively to physical rehabilitation and offers specialized treatment programs in brain injury, amputation, stroke, spinal cord injury, orthopedics and major multiple trauma.

The hospital also provides treatment for neurological disorders and loss of muscle strength and control following illness or surgery. Siskin Hospital is the only freestanding, not-for-profit rehabilitation hospital in Tennessee.

For more information, please call 423 634-1200.