1/30/1998

PITTSBURGH, January 30, 1998 — University of Pittsburgh Medical Center will become one of this area’s major providers of adult rehabilitation services on Feb. 1 when it acquires the adult services of The Rehabilitation Institute, located in Squirrel Hill. These services will be re-named UPMC Rehabilitation  Hospital.

UPMC Rehabilitation Hospital will be the hub of the UPMC rehab system. It will add more acute rehabilitation and sub-acute beds to the system and specialized clinical programs for spinal cord and brain injuries. In addition, the many components of the UPMC’s already existing rehab system will be coordinated by the sophisticated case management systems offered through this new entity.

"This acquisition illustrates University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s commitment to the provision of comprehensive, high-quality rehabilitation services," stated Jeffrey Romoff, president of the UPMC. "Inpatient, outpatient, specialized and home-based services are offered throughout the system. The case management expertise of the UPMC Rehabilitation Hospital as well as its expertise in handling the difficult problems associated with spinal cord and brain injuries will greatly enhance and coalesce our existing programs," continued Mr. Romoff.

Thomas J. Hemming has been appointed president of the UPMC Rehabilitation Hospital. He was formerly executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Rehabilitation Institute.

Commenting on his new appointment, Mr. Hemming said, "This is an exciting opportunity. Through its multi-faceted rehabilitation programs, UPMC is well-positioned to offer a comprehensive range of high-quality, geographically convenient services to meet the individual needs of rehabilitation patients."

The UPMC Rehabilitation Hospital will have 65 acute-care rehab beds and 25 sub-acute care beds. (Sub-acute care beds are for those patients who either cannot tolerate or who do not need care at the level of intensity provided by acute rehabilitation programs.) This complements the 75 acute rehab beds on units in other UPMC hospitals. Additional sub-acute care is offered on skilled-nursing units in seven other UPMC hospitals and three free-standing nursing facilities which are owned or managed by University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

The UPMC offers physical and occupational therapy through 30 outpatient locations and home-based services. In addition, there are five multi-specialty centers that incorporate rehabilitation services.

The pediatric programs of The Rehabilitation Institute will continue to be offered under a new name, The Children’s Institute. Although housed in different parts of the same building, The Children’s Institute will be a separate and independent entity.