New Brain Injury Unit to Serve Mid-Atlantic Region

07.22.2020

Sheltering Arms Institute, a collaboration with VCU Health, is pleased to announce the grand opening of its secure brain injury unit on Monday, July 27. Features include a dedicated gym on unit with equipment and technology for all disciplines, vector track on unit for gait training outside of gym, and patient education and therapy rooms. Previously, many patients with spinal cord or brain injuries have been referred out of state for treatment. Now, central Virginia’s best experts in complex, specialty physical rehabilitation are all under one roof.

The brain injury unit is one of four specialty units within the hospital that provides state-of-the-science, individualized care for various injuries and illnesses. On June 13, Sheltering Arms Institute began a phased opening as Sheltering Arms and VCU Health relocated existing beds from both organizations’ hospitals. The unit’s opening marks a major milestone in serving the needs of people throughout the state of Virginia.

“Our multidisciplinary care team including brain injury specialty physicians and therapists, medical psychologists, therapeutic recreation specialists, and more provides comprehensive services to treat complex brain injuries as well as secondary complications as a result of the injury,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Richard Kunz. “We are one of only a few secure brain injury units in the entire commonwealth.”

The 212,063 square foot facility is constructed specifically for physical rehabilitation with features including all private patient rooms, a 9,251 square foot main therapy gym and three satellite gyms, state-of-the-art patient care technology and rehabilitation equipment, research space and more. The $95 million project was funded with $45 million in tax-exempt financing through Goochland Economic Development Authority and purchased by SunTrust (now Truist) and a $50 million capital campaign including a lead gift by the Sheltering Arms Foundation of $25 million.

“Our vision is to reinvent rehabilitation for life beyond limits. This is an opportunity for all of us to serve the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond,” said Alan Lombardo, CEO of Sheltering Arms Institute. “We’re now offering clinical care, supported by research, to ensure patients benefit for the rest of their lives and are able to get back to living in their community.”

Sheltering Arms Institute is located on 46 acres in the West Creek Medical Park near Short Pump, easily accessible from major highways including 288, 64 and 95.

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, that brings together the brand and clinical reputation of Sheltering Arms and the nationally ranked programs of VCU Health. The Institute blends advanced technology, research and evidence-based clinical treatment to create an innovative, transdisciplinary model of rehabilitative care that will facilitate superior outcomes for patients. All outpatient services for both parent organizations will operate separately for now and into the foreseeable future.

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