OMAHA, Neb. (Madonna)—Just two years after breaking ground, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals’ Omaha Campus is complete and ready to serve patients.
The opening signifies a new era of specialized inpatient rehabilitation care in the region. “The opening of the Omaha Campus allows Madonna to serve an increasing number of individuals who have sustained traumatic injuries or disabling conditions. The state-of-the- art facility, when combined with specialized clinical treatment teams and cutting-edge technology will provide those served with the best chance of resuming activities that give their lives meaning,” said Paul Dongilli Jr. , Ph.D., president and CEO of Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals.
The Omaha Campus features 260 square feet of warm, inviting space. The 110 private-room hospital includes three major areas—an acute rehabilitation hospital, a rehabilitation specialty hospital and a children’s rehabilitation hospital. The Madonna Institute of Rehabilitation Science and Engineering will be onsite, providing opportunities for advancement in rehabilitation for patients. In addition, new and exciting technology enables patients with only limited movement ability (i.e. twitching a muscle) to control lighting, window shades and television, and even communicate with nurses. The hospital also has a main therapy gym, a warm-water pool, a chapel and Independence Square—a simulated community for patients to practice daily independent living skills, such as driving, laundry and grocery shopping. Outside the campus includes landscaping, courtyards and wooded areas. In addition to providing opportunities for rehabilitation activities in a natural setting, these areas enable patients and their family members space for rest and peaceful interactions.
Madonna provides world-class rehabilitation for adults and children who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, stroke, neurological disease and pulmonary condition. In 2012, an independent study highlighted the underserved need for specialized rehabilitation for the Omaha metro area. As part of Madonna’s strategic plan to build a comprehensive continuum of rehabilitation from the ground up, the $93 million project broke ground on Sept. 4, 2014 at 17500 Burke Street. Earlier that year Madonna Rehabilitation Specialty Hospital opened on the fourth floor of Nebraska Medicine-Bellevue to address the urgent need and to provide inpatient rehabilitation services for individuals with complex medical conditions. The 32-bed hospital will close and its patients will move in to the new hospital shortly after the Campus opens.
The economic impact during the two-year construction of the Omaha Campus was $122 million. Once patient occupancy reaches full census, the Omaha Campus is expected to generate an estimated 700-800 full and part-time jobs.
The economic impact during the two-year construction of the Omaha Campus was $122 million. Once patient occupancy reaches full census, the Omaha Campus is expected to generate an estimated 700-800 full and part-time jobs.
“It tells people that Omaha is open for business. And it sends out the signal to others in the medical community that Omaha is a good place to be. It is just a very positive addition to our medical community to provide those services that are so needed,” said Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert.
A partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and its primary clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, is providing physician support for patients. Samuel Bierner, M.D., is leading the effort with more than 25 years of experience in the specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). In addition, Madonna and UNMC are establishing and supporting the PM&R program whereby medical students and residents will train at Madonna. The program is the first of its kind in the region.
“We are committed to our rehabilitation mission, innovation and research; it’s been our foundation since we first opened in Lincoln, Nebraska, nearly 60-years ago. We are excited to begin a new chapter for the benefit of patients in Omaha and the surrounding region.” said Dongilli.
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals offers world-class medical rehabilitation and research. Specializing in traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, pulmonary conditions, stroke and neurological diseases for adults and children; Madonna takes the most medically complex cases. Madonna offers hope and healing and returns patients to their community settings at a higher rate than industry benchmarks.
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital Lincoln Campus is located at 5401 South Street in Lincoln, Nebraska 68506; 402-413-3000.
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital Omaha Campus is located at 17500 Burke St. in Omaha, Nebraska 68118; 402-413-3000. www.madonna.org