Cleveland Clinic

The outpatient therapy program at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital Shaker Campus helps children from birth through young adulthood who are chronically ill or who are recovering from serious injury. Our goal is to help them become as independent as possible.

After we review your child’s needs, we form a specific, individualized treatment plan. Many children need a combination of therapies, including physical, occupational and/or speech/language therapy. The duration of therapy depends upon the child’s needs. Some children need short-term physical therapy just to build muscle strength following an injury, while others need long-term therapy to cope with a chronic condition.

Please join two of our physical therapists, Merri Jo Somodi, PT and Ann Marie Pace, MPT to discuss the concerns of your child. Merri Jo graduated from Ohio University in 1994 with a BS in Physical Therapy. She is certified in Neurodevelopmental Training, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Pediatric Kinesio Taping. Merri Jo has been working for Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation since October of 1994. Ann Marie Pace has a BA from Denison University and Master's in Physical Therapy from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, PA. She has over 19 years under her belt as a therapist specializing in pediatrics. Ann Marie has worked in a variety of clinical practices such as: early childhood in Syracuse, NY; Shriner's Orthopedic Hospital in Greenville, SC; private practice and special education in Dallas, Texas. She has a special interest in treatment of infants with torticollis.

Outpatient therapy is valuable for children who:
• have experienced serious injuries
• have chronic and acute conditions that limit their development
• are experiencing developmental delays (e.g., walking or speaking late)
• have learning difficulties
• have trouble performing activities of daily living (e.g., bathing or dressing)

Babies who were born prematurely also may benefit from therapy to prevent or minimize developmental delays.