Encompass Health opened its 164th hospital in Johnston last week.
The pile of extra-large scissors was arranged in a circle and a ribbon was stretched across the center of the facility’s expansive therapy gym.
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Johnston opened its doors to the public on Thursday morning, July 25. The 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital at 2109 Hartford Ave. will now start welcoming patients and eventually employ more than 100 healthcare workers by the end of its first full year of operation.
Patrick Tuer, Encompass Health Group president for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, said the Rhode Island location introduces the company to its 38th state.
“We started talking about this hospital back in 2019,” Tuer told the crowd. “A lot of people have done a lot of great things to finally get it across the finish line.”
About 90 days ago, Tuer toured the site with the facility superintendent and Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Johnston Chief Executive Officer Daniel Parkinson, wearing hard hats.
“It’s not a skillset of mine to build hospitals,” he said. “I have no clue how long things take and whatnot. I just look at the project timeline.”
His first impression — there was “a lot to do in 90 days.”
“Are we sure we’re going to be able to open?” Tuer asked. “When do we think we’ll be able to open?”
He saw no panic in the eyes of his Johnston leadership team.
“I felt pretty good about it,” Tuer said. “And it certainly came together well.”
According to Tuer, one of every three patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation care in the United States receives it at an Encompass Health Hospital.
“Our goal here is to provide a place where patients and families can access quality care, a place where patients discover hope and regain the confidence to join their community,” Tuer said. “And most importantly, a place where patients regain their independence that results in a better quality of life.”
“By 2030, one in five U.S. citizens will be of retirement age, as 10,000 Baby Boomers a day age into Medicare eligibility. As we all know, as we get older, we become higher risk for conditions like stroke, diabetes, orthopedic injuries, cardiovascular disease,” Tuer told the crowd of employees and gathered dignitaries. “In certain cases, people with these conditions will require intensive rehabilitation services, to help them regain lost function and strength before they return home to their loved ones.”
“So that’s exactly why we’ve built here in Johnston,” Tuer said. “As the aging population grows, and needs our care, we’ll be here to meet them where they are in their recovery journey and help them return to their highest level of function with care provided right here close to home.”
CEO Parkinson took the stage next. An employee of Encompass for 27 years, he started as a staff physical therapist before working his way up the corporate ladder. He was promoted from within, last serving as an interim CEO in Erie, Pennsylvania.
“As we prepare to open our doors to our first patient, we’re filled with optimism for the future,” Parkinson said. “We’re committed to embracing innovation. Continually advancing our services and setting new standards of patient care. And together, we will make a profound impact in the lives of those that we served. Thank you all for coming.”
Johnston Mayor Joseph M. Polisena Jr. followed Parkinson at the microphone.
“I can assure you that this facility represents so much more … It represents private sector investment, technology and innovation, it represents all of the men and women of the trades union who built this facility, but also, it represents what we should all expect from our government, whether it be on the local, state or federal level, and that’s collaboration with the private sector,” Polisena told the crowd. “This facility faced multiple hurdles at both the state and local level. But together, we worked with Encompass every step of the way. And you can see the end result.”
The process took more than three years, from conception, through planning boards and government industry regulators, and eventual construction, across Hartford Avenue from the massive, soon-to-open Amazon robotic sorting facility.
“I pledge that that collaboration will continue well into the future,” Polisena said before grabbing his giant scissors and gathering with a group of public and private officials to cut the ribbon. “The lines of communication have always remained open and Johnston stands ready to work with Encompass or any company that drives growth and progress in this town.”
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