Associates throughout Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network put Sharpie to steel June 8, signing the final steel beam to “top off” Good Shepherd’s under-construction rehabilitation hospital.

At 23-feet-long, it is the final beam to be added to the rehabilitation hospital, which is slated to open in Center Valley in June 2023.

As part of the beam-signing festivities at Hyland Center for Health & Technology, Good Shepherd South Allentown campus, Good Shepherd Chaplain Kelly Brooks blessed the beam.

In addition to employees, members of Good Shepherd’s “Hope Starts Here” capital campaign committee, board of trustees, elected officials, community partners and others participated in the signing.

“I want to thank each and every sssociate who is here today, as well as our colleagues working at sites throughout the Network,” Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network President & CEO Michael Spigel, PT, MHA, said.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my time here, it’s that Good Shepherd has a very large, very passionate base of supporters, who will do everything in their power to ensure Good Shepherd is here to serve the community for another 100-plus years. We cannot do what we do without all of you,” said Spigel.

Located in Center Valley across from The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, the four-story, 76-private-room rehabilitation hospital will focus on providing highly specialized, complex care and serve as the anchor of an all-encompassing destination campus. Good Shepherd’s new hospital will provide advanced inpatient rehabilitation services to people seeking care for stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury and other complex conditions.

The new hospital’s first floor will feature a glass-enclosed hub 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 remaining three floors will feature 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, as well as 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.

Another aspect of the new facility is the Outdoor Therapy Gardens. This area will offer physical, spiritual and social ways for patients to undergo therapy and participate in activities, including gardening and trails, while staying at the rehabilitation hospital.