Health South celebrates 25th anniversary

After six years in business, one local rehabilitation hospital has 30,000 outpatient visits under its belt, and on Monday, its parent company is celebrating 25 years.

Health South, which owns the Yuma Rehabilitation Hospital, has been in business for a quarter of a century.

The rehabilitation hospital, a joint venture with Yuma Regional Medical Center, employs a mix of more than 250 therapists, technicians, nurses and aides who help rehabilitate people through both inpatient and outpatient services.

In addition to the 30,000 outpatient visits since it opened in March 2003, the staff has treated 4,000 people through inpatient services.

"So, we've seen a lot of Yumans come through," said William "Butch" Bodine, director of marketing operations for Yuma Rehab.

The facility treats burns, trauma, amputations, brain injury, stroke and other neurological disorders.

And having the facility in town means patients get to stay close to home, Bodine said.

"It doesn't make sense to keep them far away from their family and friends when their support network is here," he said. "This is a gem located in the Southwest United States.

"Who would think in Yuma we have one of the best rehabilitation hospitals in the United States?"

But it's not just the facilities, which include a 24-hour nursing staff, in-house pharmacy and pharmacists, 41 total beds, a 14,000-square-foot gym and computerized speech lab, that make Yuma Rehab one of the best, Bodine said.

"What sets us apart are the people who work here. That makes a big difference in the quality of care."

It's also the "team approach" Bodine said, what the staff does to help provide better care for patients.

Physicians, therapists and nursing staff discuss and plan their patients' care together, not separately.

"So it complements the full services that the patient can receive here," he said. "I think that's what distinguishes Health South."

Health South serves 100 communities and employs more than 22,000 people in 26 states.

But it's not done: Bodine said the company has anticipated growth in the next few years - and Yuma Rehab is ready to meet the needs of the growing Yuma community.

It's the quality of care and future growth that helped entice Bodine to join Yuma Rehab six months ago. "This is an excellent company that has a future," he said.

To help celebrate the 25th anniversary of Health South, Bodine said Yuma Mayor Larry Nelson will speak at the center Monday and sign a proclamation for National Rehabilitation Week, recognized this year Sept. 20-26.

After Nelson speaks, the public will have the opportunity to tape the mayor to the wall by purchasing one foot of tape for $1, with proceeds going toward an amputee support group and stroke support group at the center.

The event is Monday at noon at Yuma Rehab, 901 W. 24th St.

But just when the event ends - that depends, Bodine said.

"We'll allow them to (tape him to the wall) until the mayor gets tired or people stop coming," he said.

For more information about Yuma Rehab, visit www.yumarehabhospital.com.