East Bay Functional Restoration (EBFR) - The EBFR Treatment Team

The EBFR Treatment Team

Howard Rome, Ph.D., EBFR Program Director
Douglas Grant, M.D., Medical Director
Iris Maoz, P.T.
Lynn Milgrom, O.T.R.
Gail Bourque, Psy.D., P.T.
Marlyn Karrasch, M.A.

Howard Rome, Ph.D., EBFR Program Director
Dr. Rome is a clinical psychologist with over twenty years experience as a clinician, researcher, and teacher specializing in pain management psychology and injury rehabilitation. After directing multidisciplinary pain programs in San Francisco, Fremont, and Oakland, Dr. Rome joined IPM Medical Group in 2001 to build a state-of-the-art functional restoration program in the East Bay. Dr. Rome completed his doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 1986 at the California School of Professional Psychology. He completed a Fellowship in Medical Psychology at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, where through 1991 he served as Director of the Neuropsychology Service. Over the years, Dr. Rome has gained recognition from his colleagues in the pain treatment community both locally for his extensive clinical work, and nationally for his publications and presentations in the area of the neurobiology of pain and emotions.

As EBFR Program Director, Dr. Rome performs the initial screening of all EBFR candidates, coordinates multidisciplinary treatment planning, and supervises the EBFR Treatment Team. He also leads EBFR’s Pain Education and Coping Skills Group that meets each program day. In this group and in individual sessions, Dr. Rome helps participants gain the knowledge base, coping tools and perspective necessary to establish a clear pathway to recovery. An important goal of Dr. Rome’s work is to communicate to participants the two cornerstones of successful rehabilitation: that it is necessary to find the willpower and stamina to exercise in the face of pain, and the courage and frame-of-mind to overcome the frustrations that inevitably accompany disabling injuries. Each participant must ultimately look within herself and himself to find the strength to succeed. This effort is never easy, but it is greatly facilitated by the guidance and meaningful support of a knowledgeable Treatment Team and the companionship and example of other participants.

Douglas Grant, M.D., Medical Director
As EBFR Team Physician, Dr. Douglas Grant meets regularly with EBFR participants and is responsible for managing medical needs, prescribing medications, supervising the rehabilitation team, and coordinating care with the referring treating physician. He is a 1998 graduate of University of Texas-Southwestern Medical School and has Board Certification in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and completed a fellowship in Pain Medicine at IPM Medical Group, Inc. where he is now a partner. He is also a Qualified Medical Evaluator.

Dr. Grant is firmly committed to a multidisciplinary approach that places the patient at the center of the Treatment Team. This commitment is reflected in his thoughtful and unhurried manner and his ability to listen carefully to the concerns of his patients. He handles the difficult issues that arise in industrial medicine - authorization disputes, struggles over pain medications and disability status issues - with the necessary balance of empathy and objectivity. His steady focus is on helping injured workers and individuals suffering from chronic pain attain the highest level of functioning possible through integrated medical, physical rehabilitation, and psychological/behavioral approaches.

Iris Maoz, P.T.
Iris Maoz, P.T. directs EBFR’s Physical Reconditioning program. She completed her training at Ben Gurion University in Israel and has been working as a Physical Therapist since 1991. She is certified in McKenzie mechanical diagnosis and therapy and is trained in WorkSteps functional capacity evaluations.

Iris evaluates each participant prior to entering EBFR to determine baseline condition and to set functional goals for the physical reconditioning sessions. Iris believes in helping her patients understand the importance of movement and postural awareness and control. She begins each morning session by leading Tai Chi exercises that foster improved mobility and body awareness. With close daily supervision and monitoring by Iris, the intensity of cardiovascular, stretching, strengthening and stabilization exercises gradually increases. Progress is quantified for review at weekly team conferences. Participants are encouraged to assume responsibility for increasing their functional capacity along with regaining control over their musculoskeletal symptoms. By discharge, participants are expected to be independent in their exercise routines. With her exceptional clinical expertise, warmth and humor, Iris manages simultaneously to reassure patients that exercise can be done safely, and with gentle firmness coach them back to a higher level of function.

Lynn Milgrom, O.T.R.
Lynn Milgrom has been a licensed Occupational Therapist since 1986. She is a graduate of the Occupational Therapy Program at McMaster University in Canada, and has completed advanced training as a clinical consultant in industrial medicine, ergonomic design and the theories of workflow.

Lynn directs the Work Simulation component of EBFR. The Work Simulation program works in collaboration with vocational counseling by designing each participant's treatment plan to include activities that simulate realistic out-of-home activities in either the workplace or in a volunteer setting. At each EBFR session, Lynn assists participants in a variety of work simulation tasks in both sitting and standing postures, as well as ordinary home tasks such as laundry and meal preparation that can be difficult to perform after an injury. The Work Simulation program also works in tandem with the Physical Reconditioning program to maximize each participant's activity tolerance and ability to participate in a productive day of work.

Lynn leads EBFR’s weekly art therapy group, providing participants with an opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings through non-verbal channels. At each EBFR day she also leads participants in a half-hour guided relaxation session useful for both pain and stress management. Lynn provides nutritional counseling to EBFR participants, and her past experience as a chef transforms meal preparation days into veritable feasts! Lynn’s vitality, enthusiasm and ability to have fun are a big part of what makes the EBFR experience positive and rewarding.

Gail Bourque, Psy.D., P.T.
Dr. Gail Barry Bourque is a clinical psychologist and licensed physical therapist with over 25 years experience working with people with orthopedic injuries and chronic pain. She earned a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and a Physical Therapy degree from New York University. Dr. Bourque is a teacher and practitioner of Rosen Method Bodywork. Her dual degrees and wealth of clinical experience give her a unique perspective on the complex and crucial interactions between mind and body, and she brings this deep understanding to her work with EBFR participants. In both group and individual sessions she focuses on training participants in a range of mind/body techniques for reducing pain and stress. The Relaxation Response, Autogenics, the Quieting Reflex and Guided Imagery are among the techniques she utilizes to reduce hyperactivity of the nervous and muscular systems. Other topics she teaches in EBFR include sleep hygiene, social support, and activity pacing.

Marlyn Karrasch, M.A.
Marlyn Karrasch is a graduate of the Holistic Health Education and Counseling Master’s program at John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, CA. She has 18 years of experience as a vocational case manager and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and a Certified Disability Management Specialist. Marlyn also holds a lifetime teaching credential in psychology for community colleges.

Marlyn directs EBFR’s Vocational Bridges program. The Vocational Bridges curriculum is designed to initiate a self assessment process unique to the individual participant that will lead to a viable work or volunteer activity outside the home. During each EBFR session, Marlyn meets with participants both individually and in group sessions to assist them in implementing their goals. Topics of discussion cover work histories, current skills and interests, identification and selection of a suitable job objective or volunteer activity, informational and interview questions, and resume preparation. Marlyn arranges for experts from the community to give presentations during her group sessions. For example, the Volunteer Activities Coordinator for Contra Costa County regularly visits her group.

The Vocational Bridges curriculum is coordinated closely with the Work Simulation and Physical Rehabilitation programs to achieve an optimal outcome for each participant. Marlyn’s dedication to her clients communicates itself instantly, and her practical wisdom about vocational resources and options is invaluable to EBFR participants.