Children’s Rehabilitative Services moves to Sanderson Tower

Children's Rehabilitative Services moves to Sanderson Tower

Published on Monday, January 13, 2025

By: Annie Oeth, [email protected]

Photos By: Jay Ferchaud/ UMMC Communications

Makayla Campbell of Jackson is getting the same occupational and physical therapy that's been strengthening her for the past 12 years, but this week, it was in a new, larger and more convenient location.

Children's of Mississippi Rehabilitative Services, ranging from speech therapy to OT and PT, moved from the circle tower at the University of Mississippi Medical Center to Level 2 of the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower. The former space will become an adolescent psychiatric unit later this year.

"This is a game changer for the children and families we serve," said Tara Husband, director of Children's Rehabilitative Services. "Being in the Sanderson Tower makes getting to care easier for families, and the space has the same design as the rest of the tower. There's also more room for therapy."

That's Makayla's favorite part. "I like how big it is in here," she said.

Makayla, 16, has osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic condition that leaves her bones vulnerable to fractures.

"The ladies here are a big help to her," said her father, Maris Campbell. "Therapy has helped her get stronger and stronger over the years."

As part of her therapy, Makayla, who uses a wheelchair sometimes, walks with a walker in the clinic's gym area, climbs steps and stands while playing cards.

Campbell appreciates the more convenient location. "We love it," he said. "We used to walk a longer distance, but this is much closer and easier to find."

Construction of the area, which was designed as shell space when the Sanderson Tower opened in 2020, was completed in January. The move brings families closer to care since the circle tower, built in 1968, is a farther distance from parking and check-in.

"This is a population that may use crutches or wheelchairs, so we wanted to make care more accessible," Husband said.

Offering therapies for myriad conditions, Children's Rehabilitative Services often provides care after a child has received hospital care at Children's of Mississippi.

"We're comfortable coming here because they know us," said Renada McKnight of Avon. "Now the space for care is more comfortable."

Son Jametric Myles, born at 24 weeks and a neonatal intensive care patient at the Sanderson Tower, now comes to Children's of Mississippi for occupational and physical therapy.

Therapy looks like play for 2-year-old Jametric - riding a tricycle, tossing bean bags through a basketball hoop and putting cars through their paces - but it provides him with serious developmental benefits.

The previous Children's Rehabilitative Services clinical space will take on a new life as the home for an adolescent psychiatric unit. Construction is expected to begin in February.

A new area of care for Children's of Mississippi, the adolescent psychiatric unit will have 10 acute psychiatric beds for teens ages 13-17. The unit will offer individual therapy, goal-oriented group therapy, recreational group therapy, mindfulness activities, yoga and social skills training as well as a hospital-based, accredited school. The unit is a complement to Children's of Mississippi's acute inpatient psychiatric unit for children ages 4-12.

During the 2023 legislative session, the Mississippi Legislature appropriated $6 million to this project from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Another $2 million came from federal funding. Construction is expected to be completed this fall.

"Teens facing mental health crises need a safe, specialized environment where they can receive the care and support necessary for their recovery," said Dr. Guy Giesecke, CEO of Children's of Mississippi. "We are grateful that our congressional delegation and Mississippi legislators recognized this need and support the building of this unit."

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