Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/01/19/20110119giffords-shooting-moving-to-texas-for-rehab.html#ixzz1BWGMdfjV
Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will begin her rehabilitation as early as Friday in Houston.
Giffords will be transported from University Medical Center in Tucson, where she has been since being shot in the head on Jan. 8., to TIRR Memorial Hermann, a hospital in Houston.
The move is expected Friday, but the exact date will be determined by her condition.
"The congresswoman's family wants to ensure she receives the best rehabilitative care possible for her type of serious penetrating brain injury," said Dr. Michael Lemole, one of the congresswoman's neurosurgeons at University Medical Center, in a statement issued by her office.
"As a result, they considered facilities around the country, including rehabilitation hospitals in Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago and Houston."
TIRR (The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research) is a 116-bed hospital well known for neurological rehabilitation. It specializes in rehabilitation for patients with catastrophic illness or injury, and in 2010 was ranked as the fifth best hospital in the country for rehabilitation by U.S. News and World Report magazine.
The 40-year-old Giffords, a third-term congresswoman, remains in serious condition, according to an update posted about noon Wednesday by University Medical Center.
She is breathing independently and showing signs of physical and neurological improvement, hospital officials have said.
The congresswoman's husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, is based in Houston. In a released statement, he said: "I am extremely hopeful at the signs of recovery that my wife has made since the shooting. The team of doctors and nurses at UMC has stabilized her to the point of being ready to move to the rehabilitation phase.
"Their goal - and our goal - has been to provide Gabby with the best care possible. It is for that reason that we have chosen to have her undergo rehabilitation at TIRR Memorial Hermann, which has a national reputation for treating serious penetrating brain injuries and is also in a community where I have family and a strong support network."
Victim released
George Morris, who was listed in good condition Tuesday, was discharged from the medical center Wednesday.
His wife, Dorothy Morris, was killed when the gunman opened fire at the "Congress on Your Corner" event.
Republic staffer Megan Neighbor contributed to this article.
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