Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, Allentown, Pa, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Pa, have signed a management contract whereby Good Shepherd will manage all medical rehabilitation services provided to Children’s Hospital’s patients. These services include inpatient rehabilitation at Children’s Seashore House, rehabilitation services provided to other Children’s Hospital inpatients, and outpatient rehabilitation in the Children’s Hospital Care Network.

As part of the agreement, which goes into effect May 2010, Good Shepherd will employ a Pediatric Rehabilitation Program director and a business development coordinator for Children’s Hospital. In addition, Good Shepherd will assist Children’s Hospital in recruiting for a newly created position, the chief of Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. All therapists and other rehabilitation staff will remain employees of Children’s Hospital.

"Good Shepherd will manage the 18-bed Children’s Seashore House rehabilitation unit, outpatient rehabilitation at six sites and other (Children’s Hospital) rehabilitation services for 3 years," says Brent Reitz, Good Shepherd’s VP of Pediatrics, who will oversee the management contract, in a statement. "Medical oversight will be provided by Phillip Bryant, DO (Good Shepherd’s) chief medical officer, who is board certified in pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation and fellowship trained in pediatric rehabilitation."

Children’s Seashore House is located at 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard in Philadelphia. Children’s Hospital outpatient rehabilitation is provided at its Care Network Specialty Care locations in King of Prussia, Exton, Chalfont, and Springfield in Pennsylvania, and Voorhees and Mays Landing in New Jersey.

The types of rehabilitation services provided in inpatient and outpatient pediatrics include rehabilitation nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, recreational , the medical management of the rehabilitation care plan.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation’s first pediatric hospital. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking second in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 460-bed hospital recognition as an advocate for children and adolescents.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Care Network has nearly 50 locations in southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, offering primary and specialty care services in community-based locations.

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network is a nationally recognized rehabilitation leader, offering a continuum of care for people with physical and cognitive disabilities and specializing in assistive and rehabilitation technology. Founded in 1908, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network comprises a main operation based in Allentown, and a majority ownership of Good Shepherd Penn Partners based in Philadelphia.

More than 56,000 people come to Good Shepherd each year for specialized programs in stroke, orthopedics, brain injury, spinal cord injury, pediatrics, amputation and more.

Good Shepherd’s Lehigh Valley operation provides rehabilitation services in eight eastern Pennsylvania counties and operates 20 outpatient sites, four inpatient sites, a long-term acute care hospital, two long-term care homes for people with severe disabilities, an independent living facility and a Work Services division that provides employment training and job placement. Good Shepherd Penn Partners, a partnership of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, provides post-acute care in the Philadelphia region and includes an inpatient unit, a long-term acute care hospital, and 8 outpatient sites.

Good Shepherd’s Pediatric Program includes inpatient and outpatient care. In July of 2009, the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Pediatric Unit opened its doors in Bethlehem. The unit is the first of its kind in the Lehigh Valley region, offering acute rehabilitation care to children who have suffered injuries, illnesses, or who have congenital conditions.

Good Shepherd’s Outpatient Pediatric Program is positioned to serve more children in 2010 following a donor gift that provides the capital to expand the program’s operating space on Good Shepherd’s south Allentown campus. As a result of that expansion, the Outpatient Pediatric Program will be able to handle 27% more patient visits (12,000 additional visits) for children with cognitive and physical disabilities.

[Source: Good Shepard Rehabilitation Network]