CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - A new rehabilitation hospital for the Lehigh Valley announced in 2020 is on track to open in July 2023, officials said.
- Construction of a new rehabilitation hospital is on track at the site across from the Promenade shops
- Hiring for Good Shepherd Rehabilitation's new hospital in Center Valley is set to start in the new year
- The hospital is set to open in July 2023
Currently building the facility in Center Valley across from the Promenade shops, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation will start hiring for the new facility next month.
It will be a four-story, 76-bed, inpatient rehabilitation hospital on Center Valley Parkway in Upper Saucon Township.
“The new hospital in Center Valley promises to be a beacon of hope like none other in the region," said Michael Spigel, president of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation.
"It is the most transformational part of our future, a destination rehabilitation facility that will energize the community, our patients, residents, staff and volunteers," he said.
Good Shepherd said the plan is to start hiring for positions at the new facility after Jan. 1.
The hospital is in search of registered nurses, nursing support and other positions. Those interested can apply on Good Shepherd's website.
Good Shepherd provides care to children and adults with physical and cognitive needs. When the new building is open, it will continue to use physical rehabilitation care to treat patients who are recovering from complex and catastrophic conditions, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury and other serious injuries or illnesses.
Good Shepherd currently has a hospital in South Allentown, but that will change once the $70 million project is complete.
“All of our teams at the inpatient rehabilitation hospital are working behind the scenes to develop a better patient experience by looking at efficiencies and new technology,” said Cindy Buchman, Good Shepherd’s vice president of strategic planning and operating services.
“All of our teams at the inpatient rehabilitation hospital are working behind the scenes to develop a better patient experience by looking at efficiencies and new technology."Cindy Buchman, vice president of Strategic Planning and Operating Services at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation
Buchman also gave an update on the construction progress, saying all of their major utilities are hooked up to the building, and the first layer of some parking and asphalt is down now.
Glass and windows will be installed throughout December and January.
Starting this month and continuing through the winter, efforts will shift to the interior of the building, with the framing and drywalling of all internal space, including patient rooms, the Experience Center, lobby, therapy gyms, and private patient entrance.
In mid-March, the hospital’s exterior finish, which will be a light gray color, will be completed.
In early spring, the completion of the remaining parts of the painting will begin, and the new equipment will start arriving.
In an effort to reach the community with information about the project, Good Shepherd is inviting people to help name their 3D printer.
Amanda Clark, director of Good Shepherd Creates, said 3D printing "in the rehabilitation space has tremendous life-changing potential for people with stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury and other disabilities.”
Other naming opportunities can be found on their website.
