Featured In the News: $6M in upgrades at Memorial Hospital West Fitness & Rehabilitation Center

Large scale facilities and private practices all over the country are adding IM training to their offerings, and we are always excited to change more lives. When clients can work on attention, memory, processing speed, behavior, and motor skills like coordination, balance, gait and fine motor control, the outcomes can be dramatic.

That is why we are so thrilled to be part of the expansion at the Memorial Hospital West Fitness & Rehabilitation Center! By incorporating timing and rhythm training into the program, Providers can see better outcomes in a short timeframe. Now that is what we call a win-win! To find out more about the $6 million dollar expansion, click here or read the full text below.

Taken from the Sun Sentinal (May 21, 2015):

The Memorial Hospital West Fitness & Rehabilitation Center in Pembroke Pines recently unveiled $6 million in renovations, including a pediatric gym, sensory room and upgraded adult therapy equipment.

“We’re uniquely qualified and equipped to provide family-centered care from an individual’s birth to their golden years,” said Debbie Lessard, director of rehabilitation services.

The pediatric gym is decorated in primary colors and includes a rock climbing wall, tunnels, a tire swing and a zipline and crash pit.

“Prior to this, the kids would work out with the adults,” Lessard said. “This is more fun for the kids.”

The children’s gym also includes a kid-sized treadmill and balance bars, as well as a universal exercise unit that helps patients with cerebral palsy or traumatic brain injury strengthen weak muscles and their core.

A new multisensory room helps patients with autism or dementia using tools such as a bubble tube, a fiber optic spray and a rocking chair that vibrates to music.

“White signifies purity, space and reflects a lot of light,” said occupational therapist Tina Milian. “This room can provide a very comforting or stimulating effect.”

The renovation includes seven speech therapy rooms, a feeding disorder room and a pediatric physical therapy room. It also added equipment, such as an interactive metronome, which helps with neurological disorders, and two Bioness systems to help strengthen leg and forearm muscles.

It also added the Return to Sports program, which helps bridge the gap between physical therapy and playing the sport.

The adult fitness center now has a new Pilates studio with three certified trainers and a new Aquabike aquatics class.

“We’re the first in South Florida to have Aquabikes, a full-body workout using water weights and resistance to reach your fitness goals,” said instructor Sherry Rizzacasa. “I like how you can incorporate the upper body, unlike in traditional spin class.”

Charles Frishman knows firsthand the benefits of the facility’s makeover.

The 48-year-old Cooper City contractor completed installation of the pediatric gym and sensory room before having a hemorrhagic stroke in January. The stroke affected his speech and required him to re-learn how to walk and use his right hand.

“I knew when I walked in, they were going to take care of me,” Frishman said. “I was able to practice falling down and getting back up on mats I sold them.”

Written by Fallen Patterson

Fallan Patterson can be reached at fpatterson@tribune.com.