VCU news

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley and Stephanie Sulmer

VCU Health System and Sheltering Arms Hospital announced that they have signed a definitive agreement to jointly address the need for comprehensive physical rehabilitative inpatient care for individuals who have sustained a stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and similar illnesses and injuries. 

In the near term, VCU Health System and Sheltering Arms Hospital will continue to provide inpatient services from their existing hospital campuses. Construction of a new rehabilitation hospital is being explored. All outpatient rehabilitation and other service lines will continue to operate independently.

“Sheltering Arms Hospital and VCU Health System have collaborated on many fronts over the years in providing multidisciplinary treatment programs for patients, conducting research and training physical rehabilitation clinicians and leaders,” said Mary Zweifel, interim CEO of Sheltering Arms. “This joint venture will further enhance our progress in shaping physical rehabilitative care for the benefit of our patients.”

Marsha Rappley, M.D., CEO of VCU Health System and vice president of VCU Health Sciences, said the joint venture “brings together the brand and clinical reputation of Sheltering Arms and the nationally-ranked research, education and clinical care programs of the VCU Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.” John Duval, vice president for clinical services and CEO of VCU Hospitals, added, “This partnership will make physical rehabilitative care in Virginia among the nation’s best.”

Sheltering Arms has two hospitals and 11 outpatient centers, as well as community-based programs that include recreational therapy and fitness. VCU Health System treats patients at several area locations, including its facilities at VCU Medical Center in downtown Richmond, at Stony Point and at the VCU Sports Medicine Clinic adjacent to the Siegel Center.

Developments and any other relevant updates will be provided as they become available.