Representatives of OSF HealthCare and Kindred Hospitals take part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 18 marking the completion of a new acute rehablitation unit at OSF HealthCare Transitional Care Hospital just south of downtown Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

With prayers of blessing for those who will serve and be served in the facility, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Aug. 18 to mark the completion of a 29-bed acute rehabilitation unit at OSF HealthCare Transitional Care Hospital in Peoria.

Chris Curry, CEO of OSF HealthCare Transitional Care Hospital.

Located at 500 W. Romeo B Garrett Ave. just south of downtown Peoria, the hospital is a joint venture between OSF HealthCare and Kindred Hospitals, which are now part of ScionHealth.

The new unit complements the existing 18-bed, long-term acute care hospital. Locating both specialty services under one roof offers “profound benefits” for patients and the community, according to Bob Sehring, chief executive officer of OSF HealthCare. Inpatient acute rehabilitation will be moved from OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center to the transitional care hospital.

The hospital’s new acute rehabilitation unit will help in the recovery of adults who have experienced a loss of function or disability due to stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, neurological disorders, orthopedic surgery, and other conditions. It features all private rooms, two new gyms utilizing the latest rehabilitation equipment and technology, a suite to replicate activities of daily living, and designated activity and dining rooms.

CATHOLIC IDENTITY

As part of the renovations in what is now a Catholic healthcare facility, a small chapel including a tabernacle containing the Blessed Sacrament was established on the first floor. The former Kindred Hospital was renamed in 2021 following approval of an agreement between Kindred and OSF by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board.

Deacon Joe Knapp blesses the hands of those present that they may “carry compassion and love, bring hope and healing to those whose lives you touch” at the OSF HealthCare Transitional Care Hospital in Peoria. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

The hospital is now operated by OSF HealthCare and managed in partnership with Kindred Hospitals/ScionHealth. The inpatient rehabilitation unit will begin accepting patients in September.

OSF HealthCare Transitional Care Hospital will have more than 150 employees and 100 dedicated physicians “all with the same goal in mind, to provide compassionate care to the Peoria area,” said Chris Curry, chief executive officer.

To that end, a “blessing of hands” for staff was conducted by Deacon Joe Knapp, manager of pastoral care at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center.

“May your hands carry compassion and love, bring hope and healing to those whose live you touch,” said Deacon Knapp as those present extended their hands.

In an opening prayer, the facility was called “sacred ground, dedicated to the service of human life” by Sister Judith Ann Duvall, OSF, chair of the OSF HealthCare boards. Also speaking at the ceremonies was Mike Warrington, president of ScionHealth’s Specialty Hospitals, which operate under the Kindred Hospitals brand.

EDITOR’S NOTE: More photos from the blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony have been posted to The Catholic Post’s site on Facebook.