Baptist Health to open first inpatient rehabilitation unit through Brooks partnership (Courtesy of the Jacksonville Business Journal) — A new partnership will bring a rehabilitation facility to Baptist Health — a first for the Jacksonville-headquartered health system.
The 18-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit is expected to see its first patients in spring of next year, according to Baptist. It’s the result of a collaboration with Brooks Rehabilitation.
Baptist will retain full ownership of the facility — which will span 17,000 square feet on Baptist’s flagship campus, a spokesperson told the Business Journal — while Brooks oversees daily operations
“This new unit is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to supporting patients throughout their health journey,” said Nicole Thomas, hospital president of Baptist Jacksonville.
The facility will specialize in patients recovering from strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions, per a release, leveraging Brooks’ established expertise.
It will feature private rooms, a large rehabilitation gym, realistic home environments for patients to practice daily activities, specialized neurological equipment and an outdoor space, according to the health system.
With other advanced neurological treatments already at Baptist, the addition will effectively complete the loop, delivering end-to-end neurological care, from diagnosis to rehabilitation.
“Brooks Rehabilitation has served Northeast Florida for more than 50 years with a commitment to providing high-quality care for individuals recovering from serious illness and injury,” said Brooks CEO Doug Baer. “This collaboration with Baptist Health expands access to specialized inpatient services and strengthens our ability to support patients affected by complex neurological conditions.”
Specific investment and construction costs for the project are not yet available.
The new facility announcement arrives two months after Brooks announced it was investing $68 million in various expansion projects — a sweeping renovation plan by the local nonprofit organization, not including this one with Baptist.