MECHANICSBURG, Pa., Sept. 21 — Vibra Healthcare LLC announced today that it has entered into a joint venture with Summa Health System of Akron, OH to build and operate a freestanding acute medical rehabilitation hospital on the campus of Summa Akron City Hospital.
Development of the $20 million project is already underway with the new, 60-bed hospital scheduled to open in 2011. The new hospital is expected to employ about 130 medical professionals and staff and feature, among other amenities, private patient rooms, spacious rehabilitation therapy area and easy access to patient and visitor parking. Construction is expected to begin later this year and will take approximately 18 months.
“We are pleased to partner with Summa Health System to bring this important service to the community,” said Brad Hollinger, chairman and chief executive officer of Vibra Healthcare. “As the nation’s population continues to age and baby boomers live longer with more active lifestyles, now more than ever, acute medical rehabilitation hospitals are a key part of patients’ healthcare needs.”
“The new rehabilitation hospital will ensure that our patients receive acute rehabilitative care that is second to none in a state-of-the-art, convenient location,” said Tom Strauss, president and CEO of Summa Health System. “The hospital will complement Summa’s renowned seniors, cardiac, cancer and orthopedics programs and offer an integrated component to our continuum of care for patients transitioning from recent hospital treatments for illnesses or injuries on their road to recovery.”
Upon its completion, the new rehabilitation hospital will integrate the talent of Summa’s rehabilitation staffs at Summa Akron City Hospital, Summa Barberton Hospital and Summa Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital in an accessible, convenient location for the community.
The new rehabilitation hospital will treat patients with a variety of rehabilitation needs including those who are recovering from strokes, neurological illnesses and spinal cord injuries, multiple trauma and orthopedic surgeries, to name a few.
Vibra Healthcare is a national leader in the development and operations of acute medical rehabilitation and long term acute care hospitals. The new hospital will be Vibra’s first acute rehabilitation hospital in the state of Ohio.
Providing immediate access off East Market Street in Akron, OH the new facility will be located on the campus of Summa Akron City Hospital directly in front of the Idabelle Firestone School of Nursing building.
About Vibra Healthcare
Vibra Healthcare LLC is a specialty hospital provider based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, focused on the development, acquisition and operation of freestanding long-term acute care and acute medical rehabilitation hospitals. Vibra employs about 2,500 and currently operates 29 facilities with more than 1,300 licensed beds in nine states. For more information on Vibra Healthcare, visit www.vibrahealthcare.com.
About Summa Health System
Summa Health System is one of the largest integrated delivery systems in Ohio. Encompassing a network of hospitals, community health centers, a health plan, a physician-hospital organization, a multi-specialty physician organization, research and multiple foundations, Summa is nationally renowned for excellence in patient care and for exceptional approaches to healthcare delivery. Summa’s clinical services are consistently recognized by U.S. News and World Report, Thomson Reuters and The Leapfrog Group. Summa also is a founding partner of the BioInnovation Institute in Akron. For more information on Summa Health System, visit www.summahealth.org.
