WVU Medicine recognizes growth of services during National Rehabilitation Awareness Week

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, observed annually during the third full week of September, is a time to educate others of the impact of rehabilitative care and recognize those working to bring that impact to the lives of patients each day.   

WVU Medicine Rehabilitation Services provides a broad array of inpatient and outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy services to meet the medical needs of adult and pediatric patients. 

“This is an exciting time for WVU Medicine Rehabilitation Services,” Bruce McKee, director of WVU Medicine Rehabilitation Services, Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and Rehab Therapy Services at the WVU Medicine Children’s Neurodevelopmental Center, said. “The program is not just expanding geographically, but also in the services we are able to provide to the citizens of our local communities.”

The Neal and Brooke Brown Foundation Rehabilitation Facilities within the new WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital have larger, updated treatment spaces allowing therapists to provide more family-centered, advanced care and services.

Meanwhile, construction on the new WVU Medicine Outpatient Rehabilitation Center is currently underway. The building will be adjacent to the WVU Medicine University Town Centre clinic and is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2024.

The Outpatient Rehabilitation Center will house physical, occupational, and speech therapy services with access to treatments including aquatic therapy, manual and exercise-based therapies, soft tissue and joint mobilization, post-surgical care, stroke care, functional capacity evaluations, lymphedema care, and more.

Program expansion is also happening in Fairmont with therapists staffed on the newly opened Skilled Nursing Unit at WVU Medicine Fairmont Medical Center. It is designated for patients who need a higher level of care than they can receive at home, but do not need to be in the hospital. 

“This resource is a vital link to getting patients back to leading fulfilling and productive lives as they recover from illness and injury. We are proud to be providing that in Fairmont,” McKee said.

McKee credits those working within the Department for the success and growth the service line is experiencing. 

“We owe our success to the amazing team of therapists who have dedicated their careers to making a difference in the lives of others,” McKee said. 

For more information, visit WVUMedicine.org.