Firelands Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit provides intensive rehabilitation programs for victims of stroke, brain injury, orthopedic surgery, and other neurological and physical ailments. The only one of its kind in a five- county area, the Firelands Acute Inpatient Rehab Unit serves people ranging in age from 15 to 95 and provides outcomes that have placed the facility in the top 100 of more than 1,000 acute inpatient rehabilitation programs in the nation. The unit and its physicians accept patients without regard to their insurance or ability to pay, who may otherwise be sent home to recover on their own.

The Firelands Acute Inpatient Rehab Unit utilizes space on Firelands’ South Campus, making for a short commute for patients from the main campus hospital facility. During the past few years, utilization of the Acute Inpatient Rehab unit has grown more than 100%. This growth may be attributed, in part, to former patients volunteering their time in the unit, providing encouragement and inspiration to current patients. One stroke patient, in his 40s, was ready to give up when he saw a former patient volunteering his time and said, “If that old guy can do it, I can!” Another benefit to patients is their proximity to their families. A patient, aided through a lengthy rehabilitative process by his wife stated, “When you have somebody like this who takes care of you day and night, your whole attitude changes.”

Hospital administrators have looked at numerous options to expand the capacity in the unit while also enhancing rehab patient experiences and outcomes. The most prudent option involves renovation of the existing facility, as opposed to building an entirely new structure to house the rehab unit. Firelands Regional Medical Center strives to keep patient care at its center and focused the decision on fiscal responsibility and usable space with ease of access and plentiful parking for patient families. The renovation of the existing unit will cost approximately $6.5 million.

These renovations call for the construction of private and accessible in-room showers for the patients which will greatly enhance the patient experience in the program. Another identified need planned for the renovation of this unit is a dedicated space for patients who have suffered minor brain injuries. This new, self-contained section would provide added safety and security for patients who are recovering from a brain injury. Additionally, it allows for a separate space for these patients to conduct their rehabilitative therapy sessions, eliminating the possibility of overstimulation which may occur if these sessions are held in larger group environments.

As you consider your philanthropic efforts, we ask that you consider the Firelands Regional Medical Center Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit and its renovation needs in your year-end giving. Numerous studies have shown that neurological patients like those who suffer strokes, receive better outcomes and return to their normal lives faster when they receive intensive inpatient rehabilitation for three or more hours per day. This means that, as the only acute rehab provider in our five- county area, we must continually strive to serve our patients with state-of-the-art technology, equipment, facilities, staff, and physicians to help patients reintegrate into our community.

For more information about supporting Firelands Regional Medical Center Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, or to make a donation, please call the Director of Development at 419-557-7151.

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