John Garfinkle has been a speech pathologist specializing in adult neurogenic disorders of speech, language, cognition and swallowing for 30 years.  John held an adjunct faculty appointment in the Communicative Disorders program at San Francisco State University for 11 years.  In his clinical practice, John works on the inpatient and specialized outpatient rehabilitation services at California Pacific Regional Rehabilitation Center where he is recognized for patient-focused care, team collaboration, functional goal setting and patient/family advocacy.  John serves as a founding member of the California Pacific Regional Rehabilitation Center Brain Injury Specialty Committee.  During John's tenure at CPMC, the institution became a JCAHO Primary Stroke Center and has been accredited by CARF in stroke, brain injury, spinal cord system of care and other specialties since 2000.  Newsweek named California Pacific Regional Rehabilitation Center the second best rehabilitation center in California in 2022 and 2023, and a high performer in Stroke care in 2024 and 2025.  CPMC and Sutter hospitals consistently earn Best Hospital awards from both US New and World Report and Healthgrades.  John is most passionate about the power of rehabilitation in restoring one's sense of self.