Summary:
The community celebrated the groundbreaking of Michigan’s first children’s rehabilitation hospital, the Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, a joint venture by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation and Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.
Key Takeaways:
- The new hospital will be the first in Michigan dedicated exclusively to pediatric rehabilitation, featuring advanced technology and specialized therapy spaces.
- The facility honors philanthropist Joan Secchia and aims to enhance healthcare for children across the state and beyond.
- The hospital’s construction is part of the “Leaps & Boundless” campaign, which has nearly reached its $70 million fundraising goal, with completion expected in 2026.
The community came together to celebrate the ceremonial groundbreaking for Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital. The venture is shared by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation and Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. The state-of-the-art facility will be Michigan’s first children’s rehabilitation hospital and will connect via skybridge to the existing Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids.
The hospital name was announced in October 2023, honoring the legacy of local philanthropist Joan Secchia. The Secchia family’s dedication to improving the lives of others, especially children, has left an enduring mark on West Michigan, say representatives from Mary Free Bed.
“I am honored to support this vital project that will transform health care for children and teens,” says Joan Secchia, co-chair of the hospital’s capital campaign. “Together, we have the opportunity to provide kids a springboard to a brighter future, ensuring every child receives the best care possible.”
This world-class hospital will be designed for, and exclusively dedicated to, the rehabilitation of infants, children, and teens. The 67,000-square-foot hospital will include three floors of sophisticated technology and dedicated pediatric therapy spaces.
The first and second floors of the hospital will host specialized outpatient therapy gyms, Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics, a pediatric medical clinic, and the Intensive Feeding Program. The third level will serve inpatient rehabilitation. The unit will be home to 24 private inpatient rooms all with ventilator capability, inpatient therapy gyms, a family resource center, and an academic classroom with a dedicated teacher, so children can keep up with their studies during extended recovery periods.
“Our partnership with Mary Free Bed has helped so many children in our community receive compassionate and exceptional care,” says Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO, Corewell Health. “The Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital will reach thousands more kids and families across the state and beyond, helping them get back to being kids again.”
Mary Free Bed is a statewide resource for pediatric inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, welcoming kids with conditions from minor aches and pains to the most serious and complex diagnoses. From 2016 through 2023, Mary Free Bed treated over 40,000 pediatric patients, including 1,313 from out of state. Approximately 60% of Michigan children who need inpatient rehabilitation are treated at Mary Free Bed in Grand Rapids. The new hospital will combine teams of two leading hospitals under one roof – bringing advanced rehabilitative care to even more patients.
“Today we’re laying the foundation for hope and healing in our community,” says Kent Riddle, president and CEO, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation. “We’re not just building a hospital, it’s a promise that every child will have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, no matter the challenges they face.”
The groundbreaking marks the kickoff of Leaps & Boundless – A Campaign for Michigan’s First Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital. To date, $67M of the $70M campaign has been raised. Leaders from both hospitals hope to raise the remaining $3M in the public phase of this campaign, and they’re inviting the public to help create a better future for every child in our community and beyond.
Following the groundbreaking, construction crews will begin bringing in equipment to start the building project. Construction is expected to take two years, with completion in 2026.
Featured image: Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, a venture shared by Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation and Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, will be Michigan’s first children’s rehabilitation hospital and will connect via skybridge to the existing Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids. Rendering: Pure Architects
