Posted on March 29, 2016
Excitement building for next phase of expansion, renovation project
As Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital marks the first anniversary of the March 29, 2015 opening of the new West Building addition, renovations to the rest of campus are on schedule and Mary Free Bed Foundation’s “Join the Movement” capital campaign is on target.
This transformative project will continue to keep Mary Free Bed on the cutting edge of innovative excellence, providing state-of-the-art, comprehensive services with an exclusive focus on rehabilitation that “will change models of healthcare for future generations,” said President and CEO Kent Riddle.
The next phase of the renovation project targets nearly 200,000 square feet in the existing main and professional buildings. Plans call for a September grand re-opening of the first floor of the main building.
The first floor will serve as the main entrance, registration and waiting area for the entire Mary Free Bed campus, featuring optional valet parking and a greeter to assist patients with mobile check-in.
The bright and inspirational lobby area will feature large, suspended glass art sculptures, fountains and a Community Donor Wall recognizing the generosity of donors to the “Join the Movement” campaign.
The new main lobby also will include a small Biggby Coffee bar and personal day lockers for patients and visitors to secure their belongings while they’re on campus.
Much of the first floor will be dedicated to Outpatient Services and will include specialized therapy gyms and treatment rooms, and a new ADL (Activities of Daily Living) Apartment for outpatient improvement of home-life skills.
The existing therapy pool will be replaced with two new pools, one slightly warmer and one slightly cooler to better accommodate various patients.
The Pediatric Feeding Program and the medical clinics that serve pediatric, young adult and adult patients also will be housed on the first floor as will the Psychology offices.
Outpatients, inpatients and community members will be able to register for an adaptive sports program, try a specialized sports wheelchair or check out the adaptive equipment on display in the new Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports Department.
The second floor will house Recreation Therapy, where patients can learn to regain their quality of life. This will be a key therapeutic destination featuring zones of activities such as crafts, woodworking, video games, billiards and a quiet reflection room.
The third floor will include a 16-bed, secure, private-room Pediatric Inpatient Unit, 11 private adult patient rooms and specialized areas for physical, occupational and recreational therapy, child life activities, speech therapy and social work.
The adjacent Professional Building will house a new conference center and catering kitchen, hospital administration offices and various other hospital support offices.
Financial support of the project has pushed the foundation’s “Join the Movement” campaign to its final phase. The campaign is now just $200,000 shy of its $16 million community philanthropy goal.
“We are thankful to the generous donors who have supported the ‘Join the Movement’ Expansion and Renovation Project capital campaign so far, in addition to their annual support of Mary Free Bed, and joined us on this amazing journey,” said capital campaign director Darrow Goodspeed.
For more information on “Join the Movement,” visit the Foundation’s page or call 616.840.8137.
