Rehab Hospital Construction Underway

October 11, 2007 - Construction of the new Rehabilitation Hospital of Wisconsin, located just south of I-94 on Meadowbrook Road in Waukesha, is now underway. The 40- bed inpatient rehabilitation facility is the result of a partnership between ProHealth Care and Centerre Healthcare to meet the growing rehabilitation needs of the region.

“This is a terrific opportunity for us to continue to serve a growing patient population that deserves this kind of top-flight facility, close to home, “ said Ed Olson, CEO of Waukesha Memorial Hospital. “It will be the only freestanding acute rehabilitation center in eastern Wisconsin and will serve a wide variety of patients from throughout the region.”

The rehab hospital will provide more extensive services than can be given in an acute-care hospital inpatient setting, at a similar cost to patients, businesses and insurers. The hospital will feature a therapy swimming pool, large inpatient/outpatient gym, therapy courtyard and an apartment for daily living training. Physicians, nurses and physical therapists will provide highly specialized treatment for stroke, brain injury, neurological disorders, multiple trauma, spinal cord injury and orthopedic injuries. Research demonstrates that patients treated in this type of clinically advanced setting that specializes in rehabilitation care can have better outcomes.

“We are creating a unique environment with expanded approaches to rehabilitation care, which will be a great benefit to patients and their families,” explained Jean Davis, Senior Vice President of Clinical and Support Services at Centerre Healthcare. “For example, the hospital’s Activity of Daily Living Apartment, will allow family members to stay with their loved ones during the day and at night to practice activities, which helps them transition back to home life and to the community.”

The Rehabilitation Hospital of Wisconsin will create 112 full-time equivalent jobs. Waukesha Memorial Hospital’s 40 inpatient rehab staff members will have the option of becoming employees of the joint venture. The hospital’s current inpatient rehabilitation unit will be incorporated into the rehabilitation hospital.

“The combination of new jobs, a state-of-the-art rehab hospital and the highly-rated care that Waukesha Memorial Hospital is famous for, gives people even more reasons to live here in the great city of Waukesha,” said Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson.

Total cost of the project is estimated at $16 million. The rehabilitation hospital is expected to open in fall of 2008.