Doors Opening! Rehabilitation Comes To White Oak Medical Center

2021 has been a big year for Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation and the communities it serves.

Adventist Rehabilitation, the only acute-care physical rehabilitation hospital in Montgomery County, celebrated its 20th year of providing specialty services rooted in physical, mental and spiritual healing. Now, it is opening the doors to a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital inside of Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center.

Relocating from its previous Takoma Park location allows Adventist Rehabilitation to deliver high-quality services to more patients, improve the continuity of care from acute to post-acute and expand Adventist HealthCare’s hub for convenient, coordinated care on the White Oak campus.

Patients Come First

As an expression of Adventist HealthCare’s vision “to provide a world-class patient experience to every person, every time,” Adventist Rehabilitation approached the design of the new two-floor, 42-bed hospital from the patient perspective first. Studies have shown that thoughtful design can reduce hospital-acquired infections and lengths of stay, fall risks and other complications.

Examples of how the design serves patients include:

• All private rooms, providing optimum comfort, quiet and privacy.
• A ceiling track system in each room helps lead patients safely to their private bathrooms.
• Two recovery gyms cater to different therapy needs. One is designed for patients who enjoy a more active environment, and one serves those who require less distraction and lower stimulation during therapy.
• A day room on both floors provides a place of respite and for socializing with patients and visitors. Day rooms are equipped with a kitchenette, a variety of comfortable seating, eating tables, computers and a wide-screen TV.

“Patients who come through our doors have a tough climb ahead,” stated Kirsten Ricci, MD, medical director for Adventist Rehabilitation White Oak. “We respect the hard work they put into recovery so they can go on to live productive and independent lives. We want them to be encouraged and inspired as much as possible, which is the driving force for all we do.”

To honor that hard work and provide real-life inspiration, the hospital design prominently features a painting by Michael Monaco, a local artist who was paralyzed from the neck down in an automobile accident in 1979 and passed away in July 2021.

Michael, who painted by holding a brush in his mouth, has had many exhibitions around the world. His success despite physical limitations has encouraged other patients. He was also a member of the Mouth and Foot Painters Association, an association that raises money for disabled artists who need financial help. Artwork by other members is featured there as well.

The rest of the facility’s artwork features nature scenes from nearby destinations. Without words, the art invites patients to become stronger and more mobile so they can visit these locations in person.

The Highest-Quality Programs

Adventist Rehabilitation opened its first location in Rockville in January 2001 and quickly became the first acute rehabilitation hospital in a five-state region to earn accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in all four of its specialty areas: amputee, brain injury, spinal cord injury and stroke.

In addition to the inpatient and outpatient services at Adventist Rehabilitation’s hospitals in Rockville and White Oak, patients can receive expert outpatient care at locations in Silver Spring and Gaithersburg.

At Adventist Rehabilitation White Oak, patients with a traumatic injury or recovering from cardiac, orthopedic, neurological or a cancer-related condition will receive the highest quality care backed by CARF. Board-certified physicians who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation, certified rehabilitation nurses, therapists and other highly trained specialists work closely together to ensure patients receive care tailored to individual needs.

Activities of daily living (ADL), such as cooking, cleaning and dressing, are at the core of independent living. Adventist Rehabilitation White Oak is equipped with an ADL apartment, in which patients can practice what they’ve learned in a simulated home environment to prepare for living outside of the hospital when they’re ready.

Support is critical to recovery, so patients are encouraged to participate in support groups, both in person and virtually. Additionally, a Peer Visitor Program connects current patients and family members with former patients who can provide guidance, reduce the sense of isolation and offer hope.

Coordinated, Continuous Care

Opening the new inpatient rehab inside of White Oak Medical Center has special advantages.

“Continuous, uninterrupted care for patients as they move from the hospital to rehab ensures they get the care they need, when they need it,” said Anthony Stahl, president of White Oak Medical Center. “Our teams are able to communicate with one another and share information faster and easier.”

“Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation seamlessly complements the services White Oak Medical Center offers, which enables us to offer a continuum of care for patients who require inpatient rehabilitation services,” said Rob Grange, administrator for Adventist Rehabilitation White Oak. “Conveniently, without delay, a patient can continue the next phase in his or her recovery process and healing. We are excited to be here and grateful for the opportunity to serve this community.”