New Facility Reinvents The Rehabilitation Healing Experience

Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital Unveils New Patient Care Addition And Expanded Rehabilitation Gym

(NORFOLK, VA) May 25, 2011 – Officials at Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony today to showcase the new, one-of-a-kind patient care addition and rehabilitation facility, heralding it a "reinvention of the rehabilitation experience."

"Lake Taylor has made a substantial investment to become the standard of transitional care in this region's healthcare environment. This building embodies that role and demonstrates our commitment to provide the best possible care and experience for patients and their families," said Thomas Orsini, president and CEO, Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital.

Over 200 healthcare executives, community leaders, Lake Taylor hospital officials and supporters attended, including the keynote speaker, Keith Hare, deputy secretary of Health and Human Resources for the Commonwealth.

The 29,135-sq.-ft. patient care addition is totally new construction and is connected to the existing rehabilitation therapy gym, which itself was expanded and upgraded. Taken together, the new facility is unique to Hampton Roads and unrivaled nationwide, according to the facility's designer Paul Finch & Associates of Norfolk. A nationwide search for transitional healthcare facilities to emulate proved fruitless, so the architecture firm set out to create a new design that could set a standard for others.

State-of-the-art patient facilities, modern eco-conscious building practices and privacy amenities combine to complement Lake Taylor's trend-setting care for patients undergoing elective hip, joint or shoulder replacement. Additional patients come to Lake Taylor for intensive rehabilitation following hospitalization for serious health events such as stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, major illness, surgery or trauma.

To create a non-institutional environment for patients, the new addition features a variety of light colors, textures and ceiling heights, as well as art pieces and beautiful outdoor views. Industry studies have shown that such décor helps to calm and comfort patients, promoting relaxation and aiding in the healing process.

Careful attention was also paid to smaller details, such as the installation of floor to ceiling windows and skylights, which utilize energy-saving natural light and also have a positive healing effect on patient recovery. Opaque sliding glass doors were used at each room entrance, to allow light to fill the corridor and also to eliminate the door swing conflict with patient movement.

Each of the 30 semi-private rooms is designed to accommodate two beds situated diagonally opposite from each other. Each patient will enjoy a flat-screen television, wardrobe closet and utilities. Should a patient prefer a private room arrangement, the area utilized for the second bed can eventually become a family sitting area furnished with a couch and chairs.

"We are excited to unveil this newest space at the Hospital, and we are confident that our patients and visitors will truly enjoy the amenities and accessibility that it offers," Orsini said.

In addition to Orsini and Hare, other speakers at the ceremony included: Paul Finch, principal, Paul Finch Architects; Angelia M. Williams, Norfolk City Council; Conrad A. Greif, chairman, Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital Foundation Board; Mr. Willette L. LeHew, M.D., chairman, Hospital Authority Board of Norfolk.

Today's opening marks the first phase completion of the Hospital's multi-year expansion and renovation project. Phase two involves renovation of each of the existing patient care units throughout the decades-old complex; a tentative completion date is scheduled for fall 2011.