Posted on September 27, 2021
Chicago's Schwab Rehabilitation and Mary Free Bed to improve access, expand services
CHICAGO, IL. – Leaders from Sinai Chicago/Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital based in Grand Rapids, Michigan have signed a professional services agreement with the goals of serving more patients and honing operations.
“Sinai Chicago, Schwab and Mary Free Bed share a common mission and have earned respected reputations in the rehabilitation community,” said Karen Teitelbaum, President and CEO of Sinai Chicago. “Our collaboration is another piece of our ongoing commitment at Sinai Chicago to elevate health equity through improved access to care.”
In the agreement, Mary Free Bed serves as an independent contractor, and Schwab remains an essential part of Sinai Chicago. Mary Free Bed’s responsibilities include overseeing the inpatient hospital and outpatient therapy services, managing day-to-day operations and coordinating rehabilitation marketing.
Current and former patients will still have their preferred physicians, therapists and nurses caring for them. New patients will have requests for admission consultations answered quickly.
“Schwab and Mary Free Bed working together is a critical channel to open more doors to care for those in need,” said Airica Steed, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Sinai Chicago. “Through this agreement, we’ll connect with more patients by expanding services, streamlining our admissions process and ensuring patients transition smoothly between levels of care. Simply put, we want to make sure as many patients as possible are able to get the rehabilitation services they need to improve their lives.”
The agreement is not a sale or acquisition. Caregivers at Schwab remain employees of Sinai Chicago, except for a small number of Schwab leaders who will join Mary Free Bed. Serving as Schwab Interim President is Bruce Brasser, RN, MSN, MBA. Brasser is Vice President for Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network Operations.
Mary Free Bed President and CEO Kent Riddle said, “It’s an honor to welcome Schwab colleagues into the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network. With an excellent reputation for quality care, the rehabilitation community holds Schwab in high esteem.” Riddle continued, “Our collaboration means more patients will have brighter futures following injuries and illnesses.”
Inclusive of Schwab, Mary Free Bed manages or provides care for 482 inpatient rehabilitation beds and extensive outpatient services in Michigan, Indiana and now Illinois. Under the medical direction of 54 board-certified rehabilitation and pain physicians, Mary Free Bed will serve more than 90,000 adults and children this year.
U.S. News & World Report nationally rates Mary Free Bed as a Best Rehabilitation Hospital for 2021-22, while Newsweek recognizes Mary Free Bed as one of America’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers of 2021.
