Kim Hermans, OT, CFVRS

Kim holds the CFVRS designation — Certified Facilitator of the VitalStim Registry Supervised program — a specialized certification in the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for the treatment of dysphagia (swallowing disorders). This certification is particularly relevant in a neuroscience setting where neurological conditions frequently affect swallowing function. She is licensed as an occupational therapist in Wisconsin and practices at Neuroscience Group's Neenah location.

Kim is an occupational therapist at Neuroscience Group's Neenah location, providing occupational therapy evaluation and treatment for patients with neurological conditions including concussion, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. Occupational therapy in a neuroscience setting focuses on helping patients regain the functional abilities needed for daily life — including cognitive function, fine motor skills, ADL (activities of daily living) performance, and adaptive strategies for managing neurological deficits. Kim's CFVRS credential also positions her to support patients with swallowing dysfunction, which frequently accompanies neurological diagnoses managed by NG's neurology and neurosurgery teams. She works collaboratively with patients to establish individualized plans of care aimed at returning them to their desired level of function and independence.

Kim's specialty experience encompasses concussion, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. Across all of these conditions, her occupational therapy focus is on helping patients regain independence in meaningful daily activities — from cognitive rehabilitation after a TBI or concussion to functional mobility and daily living skills for patients with MS or Parkinson's progression. Her CFVRS certification extends her capabilities to include swallowing rehabilitation for patients with neurologically driven dysphagia, a condition common in several of the neurological diagnoses NG treats. This scope makes her a particularly valuable integrated care team member for patients whose neurological condition affects multiple domains of daily function.

Kim approaches every session with positivity and a commitment to creating a welcoming, comfortable environment where patients feel genuinely supported. She actively listens to patients about their goals and what matters most to them personally, then finds unique and creative ways to work toward those goals — making sessions engaging rather than clinical and routine. Her belief is that therapy should be something patients look forward to, not something they endure, and her creative approach to treatment is how she keeps people motivated through what can be a challenging rehabilitation process. Her overarching aim is to collaborate with each patient on a care plan that helps them return to the level of function and independence that is meaningful in the context of their own life.