Author: Nobel Sidhu

RICHMOND, Va. (October 2, 2023) — Sheltering Arms Institute, a collaboration with VCU Health, has received approval from the Virginia Department of Health to expand its inpatient rehabilitation hospital following a certificate of public need (COPN) application process.

The facility, located just west of Short Pump in West Creek, provides care for individuals recovering from a variety of illnesses or injuries, including strokes, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries, as well as those in need of general rehabilitation for various neurological diseases and disorders. The 30 additional beds, which will also be used to provide rehabilitative care, will bring the hospital’s total number of beds to 144.

“Since we opened in June of 2020, we have seen immense need for the high-quality physical rehabilitation services that our team members provide, serving more than 2,000 people each year from across the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond,” said Alan Lombardo, CEO of Sheltering Arms Institute. “Our goal is to further increase access to help people achieve their best recovery and live healthy, independent lives.”

The 30 new patient rooms will be built on the fourth floor of the hospital, which currently exists as shell space that was constructed as part of the 212,000-square-foot current structure in anticipation of future need. The total capital cost of the project is an estimated $25 million with anticipated funding to include a combination of bank financing and equity contributions from joint venture members Sheltering Arms and VCU Health.

Construction will begin once a contractor is selected and is anticipated to take approximately 18 months to complete.

About Sheltering Arms Institute

Sheltering Arms Institute is a non-profit, state-of-the-science physical rehabilitation hospital and network of outpatient centers that brings together the brand and clinical reputation of Sheltering Arms and the nationally ranked programs and research of VCU Health through a joint venture. Ranked among the nation’s best rehabilitation hospitals and the top rehab hospital in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report, the Institute blends advanced technology, research, and evidence-based clinical treatment to create an innovative, transdisciplinary model of rehabilitative care that facilitates superior outcomes for patients. For more information, please visit www.shelteringarmsinstitute.com.

RICHMOND, Va. (August 1, 2023) — Sheltering Arms Institute has been named by U.S. News & World Report to its 2023-2024 Best Hospitals. The rankings assist patients and their doctors in choosing the right hospital for them.

In its first year eligible and of the 1,041 physical rehabilitation hospitals that were evaluated, Sheltering Arms Institute ranks 29th in the country in the physical rehabilitation specialty and is the top rehabilitation hospital in the state of Virginia.

“The team members at Sheltering Arms Institute focus on helping each patient achieve their best possible outcomes. This recognition is a testament to the outstanding patient care they provide every day,” said Alan Lombardo, CEO of Sheltering Arms Institute.

U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 hospitals across 15 specialties and 21 procedures and conditions; only 12% of evaluated hospitals earned a Best Hospitals ranking. Hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level of nursing care, and patient experience.

For more information on the U.S. News Best Hospitals, explore Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #BestHospitals.

About Sheltering Arms Institute

Sheltering Arms Institute is a non-profit and donor-supported state-of-the-science physical rehabilitation hospital and network of outpatient centers that brings together the brand and clinical reputation of Sheltering Arms and the nationally ranked programs and research of VCU Health through a joint venture. The Institute blends advanced technology, research, and evidence-based clinical treatment to create an innovative, transdisciplinary model of rehabilitative care that facilitates superior outcomes for patients. For more information, please visit www.shelteringarmsinstitute.com.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

 
RICHMOND, Va. (May 15, 2023) — A wearable robotic exoskeleton that has enabled more than 125 million steps around the world is helping one young man walk across the stage at his graduation.

In May 2016, just weeks before his high school graduation, Khalil Watson was shot in the neck causing a devastating spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed. Instead of walking across the stage to receive his diploma from Highland Springs High School as he had planned, Watson streamed his graduation ceremony from a hospital bed.

Since his injury seven years ago, Watson—now 25—has worked tirelessly to regain his mobility and independence, relearning how to breathe, eat, speak, and care for himself. “One of my goals is to be as independent as possible,” Watson said. “When we started therapy after Khalil’s injury, he needed significant assistance for any mobility. Now, he is progressively increasing the amount of movement he can do on his own. Every time I see him, he masters a new skill,” added Christina Smith, PT, DPT, NCS, physical therapist at Sheltering Arms Institute.

Another one of Watson’s goals was to continue his education. In 2019, he began working on his associate degree in pre-social work from Reynolds Community College. “Helping people is something that I’m passionate about,” Watson said about why it was important for him to earn his degree. “Going through what I’ve had to go through and am still going through makes it easier for me to connect with people who are either going through a similar situation or worse.”

Two of Watson’s therapists at Sheltering Arms Institute will help him utilize cutting-edge robotic technology to walk across the stage and receive his diploma, a walk seven years in the making. “Being able to walk across the stage will mean everything to me, especially since I wasn’t able to do so in high school. I can finally say all of my hard work has paid off,” Watson said.

This fall, Watson plans to transfer to VCU to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work.

About Sheltering Arms Institute
Sheltering Arms Institute is a state-of-the-science physical rehabilitation hospital and network of outpatient centers that brings together the brand and clinical reputation of Sheltering Arms and the nationally ranked programs and research of VCU Health through a joint venture. The Institute blends advanced technology, research, and evidence-based clinical treatment to create an innovative, transdisciplinary model of rehabilitative care that facilitates superior outcomes for patients. For more information, please visit www.shelteringarmsinstitute.com.