Concierge Name: Avi Leshinsky
Patient Name: Tom G.
Patient Age: 74
Admission Date: 01/07/2026
Admitted From: NYU Langone
Discharge Date: 04/17/2026
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 100 Days
Reason for Stay: Rehabilitation
How did the patient come to Mills Pond? The patient researched online.

Details of Experience:

Tom G. was admitted to Luxor at Mills Pond on January 7th with a spinal cord injury following a fall down 15 stairs at his home. He lives on the second floor of his unit and missed a step while walking backward to secure a gate at the top of the stairs to keep his dogs from going down. His son was home at the time, called 911, and an ambulance transported him directly to Stony Brook University Hospital. Tom G. arrived at Luxor after two prior stops in his recovery. He spent two weeks at Stony Brook, a trauma center where he was stabilized, and then three weeks at Rusk Rehabilitation in Manhattan, nationally ranked fifth in the country for rehabilitation medicine, where he began regaining movement in his legs. Luxor at Mills Pond was his choice for the next stage of his recovery, selected for its proximity to his home and its five-star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and U.S. News & World Report.

Tom G. came in with hope and an open mind. He was happy to have his own private room from day one, which he felt made a real difference in his comfort and focus. As he got settled, his confidence in the facility grew quickly. He was introduced to his physical therapist, Cristina, and occupational therapist, Naomie, who got to work with him right away. He also connected with several aides who became a consistent part of his daily care, including Clara, who comes in at 5 in the morning, as well as Andriana, Amanda, and Nazifa. Because of significant muscle loss from two weeks of bed rest at Stony Brook, Tom G. could barely move his legs when he arrived.

The therapy team started him on a structured weight-training program right away, targeting both his legs and arms, to rebuild his strength before advancing to walking. The goal from the start was clear: restore enough strength and mobility for Tom G. to return home and live independently, including managing everyday tasks like navigating the kitchen, bathroom, curbs, and stairs on his own.

Tom G. made steady and meaningful progress throughout his stay. He moved from being unable to move his legs to walking with a rollator walker and navigating curbs outdoors. A standout moment came when Cristina guided him through a speed walk down the hallway, moving faster than his normal pace, which genuinely surprised him. His transition to the rollator was another major milestone, one he described as the moment things really clicked for him. “I was surprised that my legs were able to handle it,” Tom G. said. “That’s going to help me down the line.”

He spoke highly of his entire care team. Naomie was tough and driven, pushing him to his limits and preparing him for the real demands of daily life. Cristina brought a measured approach, high expectations, and made sure he was ready for real-world challenges before he left. Tom G. also gave a lot of credit to the aides who showed up for him consistently with skill and genuine care throughout his stay. Outside of therapy, he enjoyed visits from a guitarist who walked the halls playing music and appreciated the warm, social energy of the community.

“They do a phenomenal job,” Tom G. said. “They all know what to do. They have got their degrees and doctorates, and they are knowledgeable in their field. I am really comfortable with that.”

As his discharge date approached, Tom G. had already put a plan in place. He arranged for safety modifications at home through Safety Net Solutions, including a stair safety system, and had a clear, careful plan for his first days back. He intended to take things slow, build a daily routine, and not rush anything. Follow-up appointments were scheduled with his neurosurgeon, primary care physician, vascular doctor, and several other specialists. He also stayed in touch with aides from Luxor, who offered to assist him on an as-needed basis after he left. Tom G. left on a high note, confident and ready. When asked what he would tell someone considering coming to Luxor, he kept it simple: he had a great experience and received great care. He said if he ever needed to return to a rehabilitation facility, he would come back without hesitation. What he is most looking forward to is getting home, continuing to get stronger, and eventually walking to his clubhouse to play Texas Hold’em with his friends. “I’m confident enough that I know I’m going to be fine,” Tom G. said. “I’m going to take things very slow.

The Team at Mills Pond wishes Tom all the best as he continues on his healthcare journey.