Novant Health launches construction project to nearly double physical rehabilitation hospital capacity in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Community leaders elected officials and healthcare partners from across southeastern North Carolina joined Novant Health Tuesday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Novant Health New Hanover Rehabilitation Hospital, a physical rehabilitation hospital in Wilmington. This new transformative medical facility will expand access to specialized rehabilitation services for patients recovering from serious injuries, illnesses and complex medical conditions.

The new hospital will feature 60 private patient rooms and will be built on the 15-acre Wrightsville Avenue campus that is also home to Novant Health New Hanover Orthopedic Hospital. Once complete, it will be the first newly constructed inpatient rehabilitation hospital to serve the region since the original facility opened in 1994.

"This new rehabilitation hospital represents an important investment in the future of healthcare across southeastern North Carolina," said Laurie Whalin, president of Novant Health's Coastal Region. "As a Comprehensive Stroke Center, we rely on the expertise of our rehabilitation teams as a vital part of the recovery journey. As our communities continue to grow, so does the need for specialized rehabilitation services that help patients regain independence, recover close to home and return to the activities that matter most to them."

Novant Health New Hanover Rehabilitation Hospital provides comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services designed to help patients regain independence and improve their quality-of-life following illness, injury or surgery. Each year, the inpatient rehabilitation hospital, currently located on the Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center campus, cares for roughly 850 patients. The new facility is expected to increase annual capacity to more than 1,500 admissions, significantly expanding access to specialized rehabilitation care throughout southeastern North Carolina.

Patients benefit from a multidisciplinary team that includes physical, occupational and speech therapists; rehabilitation nurses; respiratory and recreation therapists; pharmacists; case managers; social workers; and rehabilitation counselors. Specialized programs support patients recovering from neurologic conditions, such as stroke, brain injury and other disorders, which account for over 50% of the hospital's patient population. Additional services include amputee and prosthetic training, as well as cancer rehabilitation.

"Every patient who comes through our doors has a goal they want to get back to-whether that's returning home, spending time with family or regaining independence after a life-changing illness or injury," said Leslie Kesler, senior director of rehabilitation for Novant Health Coastal Region. "Our physical, occupational and speech therapists, rehabilitation nurses and support teams work together to create individualized care plans that help patients achieve those goals. More than 80% of our patients are discharged back to their homes and communities following treatment, surpassing the national average and demonstrating the difference specialized rehabilitation care can make for patients and families across our region."

For more information on how Novant Health is advancing high-quality, accessible care in the Coastal Region, please visit: NovantHealth.org/CoastalNC.