New rehab hospital coming to the Hub City

JACKSON, Tenn. — Community members signed a beam Wednesday morning that will be a part of a new rehab facility in the Hub City. Officials held a groundbreaking to announce a new partnership between West Tennessee Healthcare and Healthsouth.

Patients have a new way to get back on their feet after an injury.

“The name is Spire Rehabilitation Hospital. Spire symbolizes the pinnacle of rehabilitation care,” West Tennessee Healthcare’s Executive Vice President of System Services Dr. Lisa Piercey said. “Spire is also a symbol of hope and healing.”

Although this new hospital is already under construction, healthcare representatives wanted to recognize what this means for the area.

“For those of you that might have been patients in our fourth floor rehab facility, you know the constraints of our rooms and our physical environment,” Interim President and CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare James Ross said.

In mid- to late 2017, Dr. Piercey said the hospital will be open and will be a state-of-the-art facility.

“… different surfaces in the courtyard where they can practice stepping up on curbs or steps or gravel, or in the garden, practice getting in and out of a car. And there’s a suite called an activities of daily living, sort of like a little apartment where they can practice cooking, washing clothes, washing dishes, just like they would at home,” Dr. Piercey said.

City and county officials are also excited about the revenue this hospital will bring.

“This is a big commitment for us. We’re investing about $23 million to build this. We will be a contributor to the tax base in Jackson and Madison County,” Healthsouth President and CEO Jay Grinney said.

Healthsouth executives said they expect to add $700,000 to tax revenue each year.

The 57,000-square-foot building will sit in place of the old Jackson Clinic.