ClearSky Health recently broke ground for ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Elwood-St. Joseph, located in Elwood, Kansas. The 30-bed medical rehabilitation hospital will treat about 650 patients annually who are living with disabling injuries or illnesses such as strokes, brain injuries, hip fractures, spinal injuries, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or other debilitating conditions such as COVID-19.
At the groundbreaking, Darby Brockette, CEO of ClearSky Health, said they are bringing the hospital to the area because there is not another of its kind within 50 miles.
“There is nothing better for healing than having family and friends around you when you’re in the hospital,” Brockette said. “I’m here to promise you that this community is going to get the highest quality in rehabilitative care known to the state, region, and I’d even venture to say the country. It’s going to be available right here in Elwood.”
Elwood Mayor Timmy Kieser spoke after Brockette, welcoming ClearSky Health to the community. “Elwood is committed to providing exceptional healthcare to our residents and beyond,” Kieser said. “The new hospital will complement and strengthen current healthcare services offered in the area.”
The site planned for the hospital is located in Elwood close to the Kansas border, west of St. Joseph, Missouri. The hospital will serve both Elwood and St. Joseph markets.
Leah Johnson, Economic Development Director of Doniphan County, worked closely with ClearSky Health as they were considering the area. “ClearSky Health is a quality company with a lot of experience in this avenue of healthcare,” she said. “This is good for everyone who’s living in the region. It’s not only a great investment, but it’s a great opportunity to bring high quality jobs to the area.”
The hospital is expected to create about 100 healthcare-related positions. The building will be about 40,000 square feet and will feature all private rooms, a rehabilitative gym with specialized equipment, a dining room with a dedicated chef and food services staff to meet patients’ nutritional needs, and an activity of daily living space to allow patients to receive therapies in rooms that emulate home conditions. Services will be physician-led and will include physical, occupational, and speech therapy; rehabilitative nursing; case management; respiratory therapy; dietary services; and other specialized care.
The hospital is expected to open Winter 2022.
