Birmingham, Ala. and Atlanta, Ga. (April 5, 2023) – Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) and Piedmont announced today the start of construction for the future joint-venture rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. The 40-bed hospital will be built inside of the Piedmont Atlanta Hospital as a hospital-in-hospital structure and is expected to begin caring for patients in spring 2024. The hospital will serve patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, including strokes and other neurological disorders, amputations, advanced cardiovascular or oncologic conditions, and complex orthopedic conditions.
“This expansion will provide a substantial benefit to the community and also will benefit patients through close proximity to and the availability of specialized care, if needed,” says Patrick M. Battey, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. “At Piedmont, one of our main priorities is ensuring seamless integration of care for our patients, who deserve the highest-quality, most convenient treatment possible, especially in the case of extensive illness or injury. This is a wonderful opportunity, further aiding us in our mission to make a positive difference in every life we touch.”
“We are excited to begin construction on our Atlanta rehabilitation hospital in partnership with Piedmont. Both Encompass Health and Piedmont are united in the mission to provide compassionate care and help patients regain the strength, function and confidence needed to move forward in their lives,” said Ronnie Wagley, president of Encompass Health’s South Atlantic Region. “We know this hospital will make a great impact on the lives of patients and their families, as it will allow even more individuals in the Atlanta area and beyond to receive specialized care, close to home. It will be a place where patients discover hope and restored independence, and we look forward to opening the doors to serve the community next year.”
Piedmont Atlanta Hospital is an acute-care, 643-bed facility, offering all major medical, surgical and diagnostic services—including 24-hour emergency services, transplantation and comprehensive care. The new, specialized hospital-within-a-hospital will provide care for individuals in Atlanta and the surrounding region through comprehensive rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational and speech therapies to restore functional ability and quality of life. Care is provided by highly specialized nurses, therapists and physicians—with patients receiving a minimum of three hours per day of therapy for five days each week, 24-hour nursing care, access to advanced technologies and frequent visits by a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician during their stay.
The partnership between Encompass Health and Piedmont also includes five other joint-venture rehabilitation hospital locations: a future 40-bed freestanding hospital in Athens, Georgia; a 40-bed freestanding hospital currently under construction in Columbus, Georgia; Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, a 58-bed hospital in Phenix City, Alabama; Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Newnan, a 60-bed freestanding hospital in Newnan, Georgia; and Rehabilitation Hospital of Henry, a 50-bed freestanding hospital in McDonough, Georgia. The Columbus, Georgia location will be located near the Piedmont Columbus Regional Northside Campus and is scheduled to open in August.