Rehabilitation Center Opens Specialized Neuro-Rehab Wing for Stroke Patients
COLUMBUS, Ohio – November 15, 2025 – Metro Regional Medical Center announced today the opening of a dedicated 18-bed Neuro-Rehabilitation Wing designed exclusively for stroke survivors, representing a $15 million investment in specialized neurological recovery services. The new unit integrates advanced robotics, virtual reality systems, and evidence-based early intervention protocols to serve the region’s increasing stroke patient population.
The 12,000-square-foot facility, which began treating patients this week, features three distinct therapy zones equipped with robotic exoskeletons, AI-driven gait analysis systems, and immersive virtual reality platforms for motor relearning. Each patient suite includes ceiling-mounted lift systems, specialized neuro-monitoring equipment, and family accommodation space. The wing operates under a transdisciplinary care model led by board-certified neurologists, physical medicine specialists, and therapists with advanced certifications in neurological rehabilitation.
Clinical research underscores the critical importance of timing in stroke recovery. A 2024 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation demonstrates that rehabilitation initiated within the acute and subacute phases produces significantly greater motor function gains compared to delayed interventions. The study found that patients beginning therapy within 5.4 days post-stroke showed marked improvements across multiple assessment scales, with NIH Stroke Scale scores decreasing from 12.5 to 6.3 points . Metro Regional’s new wing is specifically designed to capitalize on this neuroplastic window, offering intensive therapy seven days per week beginning within 24 to 72 hours of patient admission.
The opening addresses a mounting health care challenge. The global stroke rehabilitation market reached $24.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a 7.6% annual rate through 2030, driven by an aging population and improved stroke survival rates. In the United States alone, nearly 800,000 Americans suffer strokes annually, with approximately two-thirds requiring specialized rehabilitation services. Physical therapy accounts for 45% of this market, while occupational therapy comprises 35%, reflecting the comprehensive nature of stroke recovery needs identified in recent market analyses . Metro Regional’s service area has experienced a 22% increase in stroke hospitalizations over the past five years, far exceeding national averages.
Patients admitted to the Neuro-Rehabilitation Wing receive a minimum of three hours of daily therapy, five days per week, with additional weekend programming focused on community reintegration skills. The care team includes physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation nurses who conduct weekly progress reviews. An integrated assistive technology center provides custom wheelchair seating, adaptive equipment training, and home modification assessments. The facility also houses a multisensory stimulation room to reduce agitation and anxiety in patients with cognitive impairments.
“Stroke recovery is time-sensitive and highly specialized,” said Dr. Jennifer Kowalski, Chief Medical Officer of Metro Regional Medical Center. “This wing represents our commitment to providing evidence-based care at the precise moment it can have maximum impact. By bringing together advanced technology and a team exclusively focused on neurological recovery, we’re giving stroke survivors the best possible chance to regain independence and return to their communities.”
The unit expects to treat more than 400 stroke patients annually, with projected outcomes including a 35% reduction in average length of stay compared to standard rehabilitation units and a 28% improvement in functional independence measure scores at discharge. Metro Regional has partnered with Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center to establish a clinical research registry tracking long-term patient outcomes and therapy efficacy, contributing to the broader stroke rehabilitation evidence base.
About Metro Regional Medical Center
Metro Regional Medical Center is a 425-bed tertiary care hospital serving central Ohio since 1978. The hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission and designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the American Heart Association. Its rehabilitation services division operates outpatient clinics across three counties and maintains CARF accreditation for specialty programs in stroke, brain injury, and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. The medical center employs over 2,400 staff members and admits approximately 22,000 patients annually.
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