UofL Health, Kindred break ground on new rehab hospital

UofL Health and Kindred Healthcare on Monday broke ground on UofL Health – Frazier Rehabilitation Hospital – Brownsboro, a new 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital. The two organizations announced their joint venture to build and operate the hospital earlier this year to serve the growing rehabilitation needs in the east end of Jefferson County and adjacent counties.

“The facility we’re about to see built right here represents a new opportunity for people who need inpatient rehabilitation,” said Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman. “And it’s also a $21 million investment that will create 140 jobs – one more example of the record levels of investment we’re seeing all over Kentucky.”

Frazier Rehabilitation Hospital – Brownsboro, located at 5000 Chamberlain Lane, near the intersection of I-71 and I-265 in the northeast area of Jefferson County, will include approximately 55,000 square feet and cost $21 million. The two-floor rehabilitation facility will have all private rooms and focus on acute rehabilitation for patients who suffer from stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurological disorders, complex orthopedic conditions, amputees and other injuries or disorders. Large multidisciplinary therapy gymnasiums will be outfitted with the latest therapeutic technologies, including augmented reality balance training, therapy bionics and a full-body exoskeleton. The hospital will also include a transitional living apartment – including a fully functional kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom and laundry facilities – designed to simulate a residential apartment, to prepare patients for their daily living tasks before they are discharged home.

“Since I took office as Mayor, creating a healthier Louisville has been one of our core city values, and today’s groundbreaking builds upon that value. By providing breakthrough therapies and cutting-edge treatments, the UofL Health – Frazier Rehabilitation Hospital will improve the lives of Louisvillians and add to our ever-growing health and aging innovation business cluster,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer.

UofL Health – Frazier Rehabilitation Institute is recognized nationally as an innovator in rehab care. For more than six decades, patients from across the world have sought out Frazier Rehab for life-enhancing treatments and therapies. In the last year alone, Frazier Rehab Institute cared for more than 2,000 inpatients and 30,000 outpatient visits at its 17 regional locations.

“While we are certainly proud of Frazier Rehab’s worldwide reputation, transforming care in our community and the Commonwealth is a cornerstone of UofL Health,” said Tom Miller, CEO of UofL Health. “This new hospital means increased access to world-class inpatient rehab care, closer to home.”

The state-of-the-art facility is expected to begin inpatient rehabilitation services in Q1 2023, subject to regulatory and other approvals. In addition to expanding patient access, the new hospital creates an opportunity to increase the number of future nurses and physicians specializing in rehabilitation.

“The University of Louisville’s mission includes preparing professionals who will have a significant impact on our community and the commonwealth,” said UofL President Neeli Bendapudi, who also serves as chair, UofL Health Board of Directors. “As UofL Health grows, so do the training opportunities. And in a growing community, we will need more doctors and nurses, including rehab specialists.”