Covenant Health and Encompass Health hosted a grand opening celebration for two joint venture locations in Knoxville, including a new, 51-bed freestanding inpatient rehabilitation hospital and renovation of the existing rehabilitation hospital at Covenant Health’s Fort Sanders location downtown. The freestanding hospital, Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Hospital West, is located at 101 Fort Sanders West Boulevard and will begin caring for patients in early March. As part of the joint venture project, the downtown rehabilitation center underwent renovation to become a 22-bed hospital-in-hospital structure, including converting all semi-private rooms to private rooms, and it has been renamed Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Hospital Fort Sanders.

Both specialized hospital locations will provide care for individuals in Knoxville and the surrounding communities through comprehensive physical rehabilitation services. The hospital team at both locations will provide inpatient rehabilitation services and higher medical management for patients recovering from stroke and other neurological disorders, hip fractures, brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation and complex orthopedic conditions. Patients will receive a minimum of three hours per day of therapy for five days each week, 24-hour nursing care, access to advanced technologies and frequent visits by a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician during their stay.

The hospitals continue to carry the name of Patricia Neal, an Oscar-winning actor and Knoxville native who survived three devastating strokes.

The grand opening celebrations included hospital tours, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and presentations. Remarks were delivered by Covenant Health and Encompass Health leaders, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, Knox County Community Engagement Director Jane Jolley (representing Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs), and Knox County Commissioner Larsen Jay.