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A new chapter in South Jersey healthcare began Aug. 4 as AtlantiCare celebrated the opening of its new 60-bed AtlantiCare Rehabilitation Hospital at 23 E. Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway Township. More than the debut of a new medical facility, the ribbon-cutting marked the start of a strategic partnership between AtlantiCare and Select Medical aimed at expanding access to specialized rehabilitation care throughout the region.
The hospital is a joint venture between AtlantiCare, South Jersey’s leading healthcare system, and Select Medical, one of the nation’s largest providers of specialized rehabilitation and critical illness recovery services. Together, the organizations are bringing advanced inpatient rehabilitation closer to home for South Jersey patients.
During the ceremony, AtlantiCare President and CEO Michael Charlton said the partnership reflects the health system’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality, specialized care while keeping patients close to their families and support networks.
The event also recognized the years of planning that brought the project to fruition. State Sen. Vince Polistina and Anthony Coppola praised the collaboration between AtlantiCare and Select Medical, noting that the new hospital will strengthen healthcare in South Jersey by expanding rehabilitation services while creating another valuable community resource.
The hospital is led by Joanne McGovern, chief executive officer of AtlantiCare Rehabilitation Hospital. Under her leadership, the facility will focus exclusively on helping patients recover from life-changing illnesses and injuries through individualized rehabilitation programs designed to restore independence and improve quality of life.
The hospital will treat patients recovering from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic surgeries, amputations, neurological disorders, multiple trauma, cardiac complications and other medically complex conditions requiring intensive inpatient rehabilitation.
Each patient receives a personalized treatment plan developed by a multidisciplinary team that includes physicians specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, rehabilitation nurses, physical, occupational and speech therapists, neuropsychologists, case managers, dietitians, pharmacists and other rehabilitation specialists.
The goal extends beyond treating injuries. The team works to help patients regain strength, improve mobility, restore communication and cognitive function, relearn daily living skills and safely return home. State-of-the-art equipment, advanced therapy technologies and evidence-based treatment protocols support each patient’s recovery.
Shelly Eckenroth, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer for Select Medical, said the partnership combines two organizations committed to exceptional patient outcomes and compassionate, individualized care. She said Select Medical’s national rehabilitation expertise, paired with AtlantiCare’s commitment to serving southeastern New Jersey, creates a strong foundation for the future of rehabilitation medicine in the region.
Select Medical operates 103 critical illness recovery hospitals in 28 states, 41 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in 15 states and more than 1,800 outpatient rehabilitation clinics across 36 states and the District of Columbia. That national experience brings proven rehabilitation programs, innovative clinical practices and operational expertise to South Jersey.
For Atlantic County residents, the hospital fills a significant need created by the closure of Bacharach Rehabilitation Hospital, restoring access to specialized inpatient rehabilitation close to home.
The opening also marks another milestone in AtlantiCare’s Vision 2030 strategic plan, which focuses on expanding access to specialty care, investing in advanced technology, strengthening strategic partnerships and improving patient outcomes. Existing collaborations with organizations such as Cleveland Clinic and Rothman Orthopaedics have already expanded specialized care throughout the region, and the partnership with Select Medical builds on that commitment.
Rich Baehrle is a broker associate with Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors and has specialized in commercial and luxury real estate throughout southern New Jersey for more than 43 years. He can be reached at 609-226-6680 or richardbaehrle@gmail.com.
