In recognition of a generous gift from Al Douglass and Jill Raker Hudders Douglass that supports Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network’s plans to build a state-of-the-art rehabilitation hospital in Center Valley, Good Shepherd has announced that the lobby of the under-construction hospital will be named The Douglass Lobby.

“It is absolutely critical to have this hospital, and we are honored that the lobby will carry the Douglass name forever,” said Al Douglass, Senior Vice President, The Douglass Group at Merrill Lynch.

“Good Shepherd changes lives every day, and with this new hospital, we know that our friends, neighbors and greater community will benefit from world-class expertise, innovative treatments and the latest technologies,” Al Douglass said.

In January, crews started construction work on the new hospital, which will welcome its first patients in early 2023.

The 76-private-room rehabilitation hospital, located across from The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, will focus on providing highly specialized, complex care and serve as the anchor of an all-encompassing destination campus.

Al and Jill Douglass of Allentown have ancestral connections to Good Shepherd. Jill Douglass is the granddaughter of Good Shepherd founders the Rev. John and Estella Raker. Her uncle was the late Rev. Dr. Conrad Raker, son of John and Estella, and served as superintendent and then administrator at Good Shepherd from 1941 to 1980. Jill’s mother, Roberta Raker Hudders, was Conrad Raker’s sister.

The Rev. John “Papa” Raker and D. Estella “Mama” Raker in 1908 opened the Good Shepherd Home to care for children with disabilities and senior citizens.

The Douglass’s gift honors this legacy and is made in memory of the three generations of their family that have been part of Good Shepherd, including Jill’s parents, William and Roberta Hudders, and her brother John Raker Hudders.

When the Douglasses were asked to be campaign co-chairs of the “Hope Starts Here” capital campaign, it felt like a natural fit, they said.

“I heard my mother say, ‘Of course you will,’” says Jill Douglass. “And, of course, my uncle Connie. He would be gung-ho and right out there, thrilled and excited. I thought of them all. It’s my heritage, and Al whole-heartedly agreed.”

The hospital’s first floor features the glass-enclosed Experience Center, to explore and research technological mega-trends, including 3D printing, automation technology, wearables, artificial intelligence, that have the potential to advance rehabilitation practices for people with stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury and other disabilities.

The hospital’s other three floors will have private patient rooms and therapy gyms for inpatient rehabilitation.

The second and third floors will house patients recovering from strokes, orthopedic and spinal cord injuries and those who have suffered traumatic injuries or need pulmonary rehabilitation.

The fourth floor will house a 16-bed unit for patients who have experienced brain injuries.

There will also be Outdoor Therapy and Activity Gardens.

Information: www.GoodShepherdRehab.org/HopeStartsHere