ClearSky Health, a premier rehabilitative healthcare provider, today announced plans to build a new 36-bed medical rehabilitation hospital in the Village of Cleveland, Wis. ClearSky Health brings extensive rehabilitative knowledge and experience to the area as a healthcare organization that owns and operates six hospitals in Texas, Louisiana, Kansas, and New Mexico, with nine more in planning stages across the nation in Arizona, Florida, Ohio, and additional Wisconsin and Texas locations.
The new hospital will provide specialized rehabilitative care to patients recovering from disabling injuries or illnesses such as strokes, brain injuries, hip fractures, spinal injuries, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or other medically-complex conditions like COVID-19.
Located halfway between the cities of Manitowoc and Sheboygan, the hospital will treat more than 650 patients annually and create about 100 new jobs for the area.
“We look forward to providing a higher level of rehabilitative care to the region,” says Darby Brockette, CEO of ClearSky Health. “Our hospital will differ from other rehabilitative programs because of its highly trained team, specialized equipment, state-of-the-art facility, and integrative approach.”
Brockette explains that the new medical rehabilitation hospital will:
- Be licensed and accredited
- Use an interdisciplinary team approach to care
- Have a physician with specialized training in rehabilitation supervise medical services
- Provide rehabilitative nursing 24/7
- Offer patients therapy for a minimum of 15 hours a week
A national study shows patients treated at medical rehabilitation hospitals return home sooner, remain home longer, have fewer hospital readmissions and ER visits, and live longer versus those treated at nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities.
Jamie Zastrow, Executive Director of Progress Lakeshore, says that community and healthcare leaders from its organization and the Village of Cleveland worked closely with ClearSky Health to bring them to the area. “Our goal is to attract new businesses to Manitowoc County that will be beneficial to our residents,” she says. “The hospital will strengthen healthcare services currently available in the region, while creating additional job opportunities.”
Brockette says patients will be provided the highest standards of care, citing the hospital’s comprehensive stroke rehabilitation program as an example. The program will include review of 228 evidence-based recommendations from the American Stroke Association. Staff who will be specifically educated in stroke rehabilitation techniques and intervention will ensure that a treatment plan is created to fit the individual needs of each patient.
Another unique aspect of care will include staff involvement in a patient’s treatment after discharge from the hospital. Hospital personnel will continue to work with patients to ensure that they receive needed resources to reach the highest levels of independence and success during their recoveries.
“Providing this level of healthcare will enhance quality of life for all residents of the region,” says Jake Holzwart, President, Village of Cleveland. “Individuals can stay in the area to receive specialized rehabilitation instead of traveling elsewhere, which can cause additional financial and emotional stress to both patients and their family members.”
In addition to the specialized care, Holzwart adds that he’s excited about the job creation and career opportunities the hospital will bring to the area. “ClearSky Health will offer new jobs and employ our residents as their skilled, professional staff,” he says. “We’re fortunate to be the benefactor of that.”
Patients who are treated at the hospital will interact and set individual goals with an interdisciplinary team that includes a physician; rehabilitation nurses; physical, occupational, and speech therapists; case managers; respiratory therapists; dietitians; and other healthcare professionals. The new, state-of-the-art, 45,000-square-foot building will feature all private rooms, a rehabilitative gym with specialized equipment and one-on-one therapy, a dining room with a dedicated chef and food service staff, and an activity of daily living space to allow patients to receive therapy in rooms that emulate home conditions.
“Our goal is to help patients regain independence so they can return to their homes and daily activities as quickly as possible,” Brockette says. “Our staff will go above and beyond normal service expectations to provide patients with optimal results. We’re honored to bring this level of care to the community.”
Groundbreaking for the hospital is planned for Summer 2023, with an opening scheduled for Summer 2024.
