Mercy Medical Center, Kindred Healthcare Break Ground on Iowa’s First Freestanding Rehabilitation Hospital

Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines has partnered with Louisville-based Kindred Healthcare to build and operate the first freestanding rehabilitation hospital in the state of Iowa. The partners broke ground in Clive, IA, on June 27, and Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital is expected to open by second quarter 2018. The hospital will provide care for patients recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation and other conditions.

“We are excited to work with Kindred Healthcare on this joint venture to enhance the rehabilitation services offered to patients in our community,” said Mike Wegner, interim president at Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines.

The two-story, 58,000-square-foot facility will feature 50 patient beds. It will include gymnasiums outfitted for high-tech therapy devices and treatments; a dedicated brain injury unit complete with monitored rooms, specialized beds and patient lifting equipment; and dedicated therapy and dining spaces. The hospital will also have a unit exclusively for stroke patients; rooms specially equipped for bariatric patients; and private, family-friendly rooms with sleeper chairs. Pet therapy and community re-entry programs will help patients transition back to their homes, along with access to an apartment setting where they can practice tasks of daily living.