KNOXVILLE, TN (WLAF) – Tennova Healthcare and The University of Tennessee Medical Center are partnering with Kindred Healthcare to build and operate an inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. Knoxville Rehabilitation Hospital, located in the new Tennova Health Park at 1250 Tennova Medical Way, is expected to open in the second quarter of 2021 and will provide care to patients recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, and other complex conditions.

While the formal groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for the end of March was cancelled due to social distancing guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the site of the new facility has been cleared and construction has begun.

The new 57-bed facility, with all private rooms, will focus on acute rehabilitation for patients who suffer from stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, complex neurological disorders, orthopedic conditions, multiple trauma, amputation and other injuries or disorders. The 68,000-square-foot, two-story rehabilitation facility will feature therapy gymnasiums outfitted with the latest technology in therapy devices including augmented reality balance training, therapy bionics, and a full body exo-skeleton. It will have large multidisciplinary gymnasiums equipped for all therapy services as well as a therapeutic courtyard with exterior amenities, such as a golf chipping range, pickle ball and cornhole.

There is also a dedicated traumatic brain injury unit complete with monitored rooms, specialized beds and patient lifting equipment, and separate therapy and dining spaces. The hospital will also have a unit exclusively for stroke patients, and private, family-friendly rooms with sleeper chairs. Patients will have access to an apartment setting where they can practice daily living tasks before they return home; and pet therapy and community re-entry programs will help ease the transition back to home.

JE Dunn Construction is the contractor managing the project.

“Knoxville Rehabilitation Hospital will provide intensive, individualized treatment to those in our community who have experienced a loss of function due to an injury or illness, so they can get back to their lives,” said Tony Benton, chief executive officer of Tennova Healthcare – East Tennessee Market. “It will serve those in need of comprehensive rehabilitation by giving them access to expert care as well as the latest technology and treatment options to advance the recovery process.”

“The University of Tennessee Medical Center, Tennova Healthcare, and Kindred Healthcare are demonstrating that health systems and providers can come together as one to meet the critical needs of patients in our community,” said Joe Landsman, president and chief executive officer of The University of Tennessee Medical Center. “Together, we will ensure that patients requiring rehabilitation for successful recovery after their hospital stay for trauma, stroke, brain injury, and numerous other conditions and illnesses will receive exceptional care and treatment at Knoxville Rehabilitation Hospital.”

Knoxville Rehabilitation Hospital expects to serve more than 1,200 patients each year. The average length of stay for patients is approximately two weeks. The facility design has been implemented at several Kindred rehabilitation hospitals throughout the country with significant success in enhancing patient outcomes and improving their quality of life.

“Knoxville Rehabilitation Hospital will be home to a team of therapists, nurses and other healthcare professionals dedicated to providing high-quality inpatient rehabilitation services and passionate advocacy for patients that enhance the lives of individuals throughout East Tennessee,” said Russ Bailey, chief operating officer of Kindred Rehabilitation Hospitals. “We are excited to partner with Tennova Healthcare and The University of Tennessee Medical Center—two of the region’s leading healthcare providers—to offer the community increased access to quality care focused on providing hope, healing and recovery.”

“Now, more than ever creating a healing environment is essential for patient care. This facility will bring state-of-the-art care through purposeful design and technology to the patients. Everything from the texture of the floor to each individual piece of artwork has been selected to improve the patient’s outcome. Private rooms, therapy gymnasiums, and the latest technology including augmented reality balance training and therapy bionics will provide the patients the atmosphere for healing,” said Cleve Haralson, vice president of capital development for Kindred Healthcare. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 06/10/2020-6AM)

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