Cross-Country Ride for Paralysis Wheelchair Journey to Stop in RVA

RICHMOND, Va. (May 10, 2019) – Nearing the end of his 3,000 mile wheelchair journey, Janne Kouri, President and Founder of NextStep, will stop in Richmond before concluding his cross-country Ride for Paralysis in Washington D.C. 

Sunday, May 12, 2019
3 p.m. – Interview opportunities with Kouri and Lombardo
2000 Wilkes Ridge Drive, Henrico, Virginia 23233

Kouri embarked on this journey on March 10 in order to raise funds and awareness for the six million individuals and wounded service members living with paralysis in the U.S. Participants in the Ride for Paralysis fundraising and awareness campaign have biked, run and rolled alongside Kouri for part of or the entire journey across fourteen cities–starting in Los Angeles, Ca.–over the last two months.

Sunday, May 12, Kouri and his dedicated team will stop in Richmond for a construction site tour of Sheltering Arms Institute, a collaboration with VCU Health, before finishing the last leg of the ride. Throughout the course of the trip, Kouri and his dedicated team have visited rehabilitation centers, universities and various communities to provide quality-of-life grants, donate much needed medical equipment and host charity events.

“The idea of riding my wheelchair from LA to DC is both exhilarating and terrifying,” said Kouri. “The journey will be a true test of endurance, strength and camaraderie but we will have a lot of fun along the way. I am looking forward to the unknown, the daily challenges, meeting new people, and experiencing this amazing country from such a unique perspective.”

Kouri has lived with paralysis since August 2006 after diving into a wave and hitting his head on a sandbar, breaking two vertebrae in his neck. After being forced to move 2,000 miles to access the rehab services he needed to survive, he pledged to bring a better solution to those living with paralysis and founded NextStep.

“We are thrilled Janne and the Ride for Paralysis team have chosen to stop in Richmond on their journey across the country and are excited to be a part of this campaign to raise awareness for those living with paralysis,” said Alan Lombardo, CEO of Sheltering Arms Institute.

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About NextStep
NextStep is an internationally recognized non-profit that makes life-changing rehab and fitness accessible and affordable to individuals living with paralysis. Founded in 2008 by Janne Kouri, NextStep’s vision is to open paralysis recovery centers across the country to ensure an improved quality-of-life and a continuum of care for this underserved population. By offering state-of-the-art equipment, world class certified trainers, and cutting-edge therapies, NextStep centers provide the best chance for recovery, health, and independence.NextStep’s paralysis recovery centers are located in Los Angeles (HQ), Atlanta, Orlando, Kansas City, Raleigh, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. 

About Sheltering Arms Institute
Sheltering Arms and VCU Health System have formed a joint venture, Sheltering Arms Institute, a state-of-the-science physical rehabilitation hospital. We are bringing together the brand and clinical reputation of Sheltering Arms and the nationally ranked programs of VCU Health. The institute, opening spring 2020, will blend advanced technology, research, and evidence-based clinical care to create an innovative, transdisciplinary model of inpatient rehabilitative care facilitating superior outcomes for patients.

CONTACT:
Stephanie Sulmer
Associate VP, Marketing and Business Development
Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Centers
804-342-4329 (o) or 804-201-5808 (c)
ssulmer@shelteringarmms.com

Janne Kouri
President and Founder
NextStep
310-621-6176
jannek@nextstepfitness.org

Sheltering Arms Institute names chief executive officer

New CEO brings extensive knowledge of veterans affairs and rehabilitation issues

By Stephanie Sulmer
Sheltering Arms Marketing & Public Relations
(804) 342-4329
ssulmer@shelteringarms.com

Alan J. Lombardo has been named CEO of Sheltering Arms Institute — a joint venture between Sheltering Arms Hospital and VCU Health System — effective Feb. 1.

Throughout his career, Lombardo has held clinical and leadership positions at Veterans Health Administration facilities across the country. He currently serves as acting director of the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond.

“Alan has an extensive and successful history of executive-level health care leadership,” said Paul Wesolowski, chief operating officer of VCU Health System.

“His impressive capabilities are matched by his enthusiasm and passion for developing Sheltering Arms Institute as one of the top rehabilitation facilities in the nation,” said Mary Zweifel, president and CEO of Sheltering Arms.

Lombardo holds a master of science in physical therapy from Shenandoah University as well as master’s degrees in health care administration and business administration from Army-Baylor University.

In his new role, Lombardo will oversee the rehabilitation facility under construction in the West Creek Medical Park off Broad Street Road in Goochland County.

Sheltering Arms Institute combines the strengths of VCU Health and Sheltering Arms to provide care for individuals who have survived strokes, spinal cord injuries or brain injuries, as well as those in need of general rehabilitation for various neurological diseases and disorders. The 114-bed hospital is expected to open in mid-2020.

Sheltering Arms Institute will combine 68 beds from Sheltering Arms’ two inpatient facilities and 46 beds from the inpatient facility operated by VCU Health System. Outpatient services for both organizations will operate separately for now.

Sheltering Arms Hospital and VCU Health System break ground on new rehab institute

CONTACTStephanie Sulmer 
Sheltering Arms Marketing & Public Relations              
Phone: (804) 342-4329
Email: ssulmer@shelteringarms.com

Michael R. Porter
VCU Public Affairs
Phone: (804) 828-7037
Email: mrporter@vcu.edu
www.news.vcu.edu


Leaders from VCU and Sheltering Arms break ground Tuesday on their new rehabilitation institute in Goochland County. (Photo by Julia Rendleman)

Sheltering Arms Hospital and VCU Health System broke ground Tuesday to begin construction on a 114-bed rehabilitation facility that will be located on 25 acres in the West Creek Medical Park off Broad Street Road, just east of the state Route 288 interchange in Goochland County.

Officials and staff from both organizations were present in addition to donors, patients, community members and other leaders in the community. Attendees heard remarks from Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao, Ph.D.; Sheltering Arms President and CEO Mary Zweifel; Dianne Jewell, D.P.T., Ph.D., chair of the Sheltering Arms board of directors; and patients Cole Sydnor and Berry Williams, who shared their perspectives on what the joint venture will offer the community.

“Today marks an important step forward in our plan to bring advanced technology, research and evidence-based clinical care together under one roof in order to offer our patients the best possible outcomes for success. Today we celebrate the building that will bring that goal to life,” Zweifel said.

The joint venture combines inpatient beds from both organizations to create a multimillion-dollar state-of-the-art destination hospital focused on caring for individuals who have survived strokes, spinal cord injuries or brain injuries, as well as those in need of general rehabilitation or various neurological diseases and disorders.

“This is one more way that VCU Health is committed to providing the very best care for the people of the Richmond region and continuing to advance our mission of serving the public good and helping restore the health of those who need us,” said Deborah DavisCEO of VCU Health System Hospitals and Clinics and vice president for clinical affairs at VCU. “We are proud to provide a new avenue of access in our community to the leading-edge thinking, research, teaching and clinical practice which has made VCU Health nationally renowned.”


Rendering of the facility.

Sheltering Arms has two rehabilitation hospitals and 11 outpatient centers, as well as a full continuum of outpatient medical/therapy services and community-based programs that include recreational therapy and fitness.

VCU Health System treats patients at several area locations, including its facilities at the VCU Medical Center in downtown Richmond, Stony Point, Short Pump and the VCU Sports Medicine Clinic adjacent to the Siegel Center.

All outpatient services will operate separately for now and into the foreseeable future.

Sheltering Arms Rehab Institute is expected to open its doors in late spring of 2020.

Sheltering Arms Rehab Institute Receives COPN Approval to Build New Hospital

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley
Division of University Relations
(804) 828-6057
pdlepley@vcu.edu

By Stephanie Sulmer
Sheltering Arms Marketing & Public Relations
(804) 342-4329
ssulmer@shelteringarms.com

Sheltering Arms Hospital and VCU Health System announced Wednesday that the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Marissa Levine, has approved Sheltering Arms Rehab Institute’s application for a certificate of public need to build a new 114-bed rehabilitation hospital through the relocation of inpatient rehabilitation beds from VCU Health System, Sheltering Arms Hospital in Hanover and Sheltering Arms Hospital in Midlothian.

The joint venture combines inpatient beds from both organizations to create a multimillion dollar state-of-the-art destination hospital focused on caring for individuals who have survived strokes, spinal cord injuries or brain injuries, as well as those in need of general rehabilitation or various neurological diseases and disorders. Sheltering Arms Rehab Institute will be located on a 25-acre site in the West Creek Medical Park off Broad Street Road, just east of the state Route 288 interchange.

“In the new hospital, we’re bringing together advanced technology, research, and evidenced-based clinical care, in a spacious, green setting that will facilitate our joint goal of enhanced outcomes for our patients,” said Mary Zweifel, CEO of Sheltering Arms.

VCU Health System and Sheltering Arms Hospital are the oversight and decision-making body of the Sheltering Arms Rehab Institute’s board of managers. This leadership group’s next steps will be to review and approve design and operational plans for a proposed fall 2020 opening.

Bringing together the brand and clinical reputation of Sheltering Arms and the nationally-ranked programs of the VCU Health System will make physical rehabilitative care in Virginia among the nation’s best.

“This joint venture will simultaneously advance research and clinical training to provide unparalleled quality of care for rehabilitation hospital patients,” said Deborah Davis, CEO of VCU Hospitals and Clinics.

Sheltering Arms has two hospitals and 11 outpatient centers, as well as community-based programs that include recreational therapy and fitness. VCU Health System treats patients at several area locations, including its facilities at the VCU Medical Center in downtown Richmond, at Stony Point and at the VCU Sports Medicine Clinic adjacent to the Siegel Center. All outpatient services will operate separately for now and into the foreseeable future.

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Sheltering Arms Hospital and VCU Health System announce plans for a proposed rehabilitation hospital in Goochland County

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley
Division of University Relations
(804) 828-6057
pdlepley@vcu.edu

By Stephanie Sulmer
Sheltering Arms Marketing & Public Relations
(804) 342-4329
ssulmer@shelteringarms.com

Sheltering Arms Hospital and VCU Health System have announced plans for a new regional rehabilitation hospital in Goochland County.

The new hospital, called Sheltering Arms Rehab Institute — a joint venture with VCU Health System — will combine the current inpatient rehabilitation programs of Sheltering Arms and VCU Health to provide comprehensive and innovative physical rehabilitative inpatient care for people who have sustained a stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury or similar illnesses and injuries. 

The 114-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility will be centrally located on an easily accessible 25-acre site in the West Creek Medical Park off Route 288 and Broad Street, near the I-64 and I-295 interchanges.

“The Sheltering Arms Rehab Institute will serve as a destination inpatient rehabilitation hospital for patients across the Commonwealth and Mid-Atlantic region,” said Mary Zweifel, interim CEO of Sheltering Arms. “It will provide innovative, evidence-based inpatient rehabilitation that integrates the newest technology and most highly trained staff in a facility that supports the whole patient and family as an integral part of the recovery process.”

Sheltering Arms Hospital and VCU Health System signed a definitive agreement that created the joint venture in May. In September a letter of intent was filed with the Virginia Department of Health announcing plans to obtain a Certificate of Public Need (COPN). The COPN application will be submitted to the Virginia Department of Health by the end of the month. A decision is expected by early summer 2017.

“This joint venture establishes a state-of-the science teaching hospital to advance clinical education across all the rehabilitation disciplines and to support translational research in the field of rehabilitation that will advance knowledge in the industry and immediately benefit patients,” said Marsha Rappley, CEO of VCU Health System and vice president of VCU Health Sciences.

Deborah Davis, vice president for clinical services and CEO of VCU Hospitals added, “The realization of this rehabilitation hospital will allow us to provide unparalleled quality care and treatment outcomes for inpatient rehabilitation patients in the central Virginia area and beyond.” 

As part of the COPN application process, the joint venture is in the process of determining the estimated cost of the facility. The opening of the hospital is expected sometime in 2020, depending on the length of the regulatory approval process and construction.

Sheltering Arms has two hospitals and 11 outpatient centers, as well as community-based programs that include recreational therapy and fitness. VCU Health System treats patients at several area locations, including its facilities at the VCU Medical Center in downtown Richmond, at Stony Point and at the VCU Sports Medicine Clinic adjacent to the Siegel Center.