Saint James, NY - May 23rd, 2014 - Distinguished healthcare executives, regionally recognized board certified physicians, and members of the local community gathered on May 1, 2014 for the official debut and ribbon cutting of St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center’s multi-million dollar renovations, groundbreaking Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, and expanded services within its HealthBridge Specialized Care Program.
Created by a group of local physicians in 1970, St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center has established itself as a leading provider of quality healthcare within the surrounding community. In August 2012, the Center was purchased by Mark Friedman and Neal Einhorn, the founding principals of CareRite Centers, LLC.
“Our goal is to provide an unsurpassed level of attention, care and services for achieving effective recovery without repeated incident, which helps to reduce hospital readmission,” stated Akiva Rudner, Chief Operating Officer of CareRite Centers. “The expansion of our signature HealthBridge Specialized Care Program assures that every patient receives a high level of customized therapies and five-star, comfort-enhancing amenities that support self-reliance and a safe return to their home.”
The $4.5 million investment in renovations and remodeling has elevated St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center to a luxurious, boutique, therapeutically nurturing environment that renews and reinvigorates the mind, body and soul. The Center’s vast remodeling over the past 18 months includes redesigned bedrooms, family and respite rooms, and the introduction of a new concierge program that promotes an aesthetically healing and engaging environment for its 100 sub-acute patients and 130 long-term residents. The new inpatient rehabilitation program also features a genuine Smart Car, supermarket, restaurant, life-sized street crossing, kitchen, laundry room and a model master suite used for occupational therapy for patients to become more acclimated to their home environment.
St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center also unveiled its new Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, which marks the first of its kind in the local area and is overseen by physicians of North Suffolk Cardiology Group, a Practice of Stony Brook Community Medical, PC. This new program features state-of-the-art equipment and cardiac (telemetry) units for monitoring each patient during treatment sessions.
“We are proud to launch this groundbreaking cardiac rehabilitation program within the local community, and we could not have set this type of standard of specialized cardiac care if it wasn’t for our strategic partnership with North Suffolk Cardiology Group, who shared our vision,” said Bert Heinneman, VP of Business Development and Marketing, CareRite Centers.
At the helm of the Center is Administrator William J. St. George. A leader in healthcare for 47 years, Mr. St. George has worked tirelessly to ensure a seamless transition that complements the Center’s integrity and mission of excellence. “Our staff is dedicated to providing a reinvigorated therapeutically healing environment for our patients so they can recover quickly and successfully return home to their families,” commented St. George.
Thomas P. Ribaudo, MD, FACC of North Suffolk Cardiology Group was one of the night’s honorees for his contributions to St. James’ Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. He maintains that the new Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is the beginning of the trend in transitional care units. Dr. Ribaudo commented, “We saw there was a need to increase quality of care for cardiac patients by having on-site cardiologists. We were fortunate as far as timing goes that the owners had a vision and wanted to expand this center. The two ideas merged at the right time, in the right place.”
Also recognized for his service within the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program was Trevor A. Verga, MD, North Suffolk Cardiology Group. He explained that one of his most important roles as a cardiologist is ensuring continuity of care for patients. “St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center is a world-class facility with great staff and a tremendous program that we are very happy to offer every patient that comes through these doors,” said Dr. Verga. “Ultimately, we want to see our patients recovering without risk of heading back to the hospital so they can return to their homes safely and once again be active within the community.”
For more information about St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, located at 275 Moriches Road in St. James, NY 11780, visit www.stjamesrehab.com or call (631) 862-8000.
Feature Photo: St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Executives and Staff mark with a special ribbon cutting ceremony the official debut of the Center’s multi-million dollar renovations, groundbreaking Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, and expanded services within its HealthBridge Specialized Care Program.
Gallery Photo: Pictured is the Smart Car that CareRite Centers recently transported through the St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center’s second story window via a rig and crane operated by All County Crane, the same company that hoisted the Space Shuttle on the Intrepid. This Smart Car is the newest addition to the Center's Occupational Rehabilitation Program, which is geared toward helping patients re-acclimate themselves to their home environments and routines before returning home.
