New children's rehab hospital breaks ground

ConstructionHealth

Aug 19

Health care leaders and government officials, including Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer, spoke at the groundbreaking event.
Photo courtesy of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation LinkedIn

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation and Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital broke ground on a state-of-the-art facility that will be Michigan's first children's rehabilitation hospital. Joan Secchia Children's Rehabilitation Hospital will connect via skybridge to the existing Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids.

This world-class hospital will be designed for and exclusively dedicated to the rehabilitation of infants, children, and teens. The 67,000-square-foot hospital will include three floors of sophisticated technology and dedicated pediatric therapy spaces.

The first and second floors of the hospital will host specialized outpatient therapy gyms, Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics, a pediatric medical clinic, and the Intensive Feeding Program. The third level will serve inpatient rehabilitation. The unit will be home to 24 private inpatient rooms, all with ventilator capability, inpatient therapy gyms, a family resource center, and an academic classroom with a dedicated teacher so children can keep up with their studies during extended recovery periods.

"Our partnership with Mary Free Bed has helped so many children in our community receive compassionate and exceptional care," said Tina Freese Decker, President and CEO, Corewell Health. "The Joan Secchia Children's Rehabilitation Hospital will reach thousands more kids and families across the state and beyond, helping them get back to being kids again."

The groundbreaking marks the kickoff of Leaps & Boundless – A Campaign for Michigan's First Children's Rehabilitation Hospital. To date, $67M of the $70M campaign has been raised. Leaders from both hospitals hope to raise the remaining $3M in the public phase of this campaign, and they're inviting the public to help create a better future for every child in our community and beyond.

"Today we're laying the foundation for hope and healing in our community," said Kent Riddle, president and CEO, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation. "We're not just building a hospital, it's a promise that every child will have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, no matter the challenges they face."

Construction is expected to take two years, with completion in 2026.