Therapy Centers Officially Open New Space

To celebrate the opening of Children’s Hospital’s fourth therapy center in Petersburg and the expansion of the West Therapy Center in Glen Allen, grand opening events were held on March 5 and 13. Representatives from area physician practices and home health and community agencies as well as therapists and other pediatric service providers enjoyed the opportunity to tour the Therapy Centers and talk with staff about Children’s Hospital’s pediatric therapy services. Donors and members of the hospital’s board of directors and auxiliary boards also attended the Petersburg grand opening celebration.

Bringing therapy services closer to patients is part of Children’s Hospital’s mission. As Leslie Wyatt, President and CEO, commented during the Petersburg open house, providing care in that area has reduced travel time for some patients by more than half. She shared inspirational stories of two toddlers who have made such progress following strokes that they will soon be discharged from their individual therapy programs.

She also talked about a patient who used to commute two hours to the main hospital now driving 45 minutes to the Petersburg Therapy Center. In some instances, children are able to receive services at the Therapy Centers they wouldn’t be able to receive otherwise because of parent work schedules, school commitments, travel time or transportation issues.

“Our families are so excited when they call for an appointment and we can offer them a choice of locations,” said Sallie Tidman, OT/L, Director of Therapy Services. “Many therapy appointments are once a week, and for some children with more acute issues, therapy can be two, three or more times per week so it’s ideal that we can offer location choices.”

All four Therapy Centers in Glen Allen, Midlothian, Petersburg and Fredericksburg provide pediatric physical, occupational and speech therapy services with psychology services also offered through the Midlothian location. In addition, the Fredericksburg Therapy Center recently added a fourth physician clinic, bringing pediatric medical specialists closer to patients in the northern Virginia community.

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