Construction of a new, six-bed patient wing at St. Luke’s Hospital is moving forward quickly as contractors are working towards a December deadline for completion.

The new wing, with large private patient rooms, full baths and pristine views will feature several amenities including day-beds and flat screen televisions for the comfort of patients and families.

Currently, custom cabinetry is being installed in patient rooms, offices and the nurses’ station and a gas insert has been installed in the rock fireplace. To provide natural aesthetics and a peaceful ambiance, the family waiting area will feature soft lighting and lots of natural light from the large windows along the connecting hallway.

From the patient care area, patients will have a short distance to reach the state-of-the-art physical rehab gym, treatments rooms and hydrotrack for one-on-one aquatic therapy. A large therapeutic gym with expansive windows and sweeping views of White Oak Mountain, will house the balance and vertigo treatment program as well as numerous activities of daily living (ADL).

An ADL Lab will focus on experiences patients will face once discharged from St. Luke’s, like bathing, washing and folding clothes, getting in and out of a car, even cooking. The ADL activities will ensure a patient can safely and successfully return to their highest level of function.

The rehab center will treat patients still recovering in the hospital, as well as outpatients who need physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, lymphedema therapy, balance and vertigo treatment, aquatic therapy, orthopedic rehab, neurological rehab, custom upper extremity splinting, sports injuries, aphasia, voice and cognitive rehab, radiologic swallow studies and auditory retraining.

The new 15,000 square foot addition is supported through gifts to the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation and through local bank financing. The foundation has pledged to contribute $2 million of the $5.6 million expansion.

The community will be invited for tours and refreshments as we celebrate St. Luke’s new addition. An open house is planned for the public Sunday, Dec. 15, from 1:30-3:30 p.m.