GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Today, state and local leaders joined to celebrate the groundbreaking of Michigan's first children's rehabilitation hospital.
The Joan Secchia Rehabilitation Hospital will be built across the street from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital on Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids and connect via skybridge.
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital will operate the new facility jointly.
The world-class hospital is planned to be open in 2026.
Plans for the 67,000-square-foot hospital include three floors, featuring spaces for pediatric therapy. The first and second floors will be home to specialized outpatient therapy gyms, Orthotics and Prosthetics + Bionics, a pediatric medical clinic and the Intensive Feeding Program.
The third level is for inpatient rehabilitation. There will be 24 private rooms with ventilator capability, inpatient therapy gyms and a family resource center. There will also be an academic classroom with a dedicated teacher so children can continue their studies during extended stays.
Since 2016, Mary Free Bed has seen a sharp increase in the number of children they treat across Michigan. Last year, Mary Free Bed cared for 57% of Michigan's children who needed inpatient rehabilitation.
“Our partnership with Mary Free Bed has helped so many children in our community receive compassionate and exceptional care,” said Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Corewell Health. “The Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital will reach thousands more kids and families across the state and beyond, helping them get back to being kids again.”
The new hospital is named after Joan Secchia, who members of Mary Free Bed called "dedicated to improving the lives of others, especially children."
“I am honored to support this vital project that will transform health care for children and teens,” said Joan Secchia, co-chair of the hospital’s capital campaign. “Together, we have the opportunity to provide kids a springboard to a brighter future, ensuring every child receives the best care possible.”
Meijer has also donated $3 million for the project. The DeVos Family also allocated $5 million of a large endowment to the completion of the new rehab hospital.
The Joan Secchia Rehabilitation Hospital is estimated to cost $70 million to build.
The State of Michigan has also invested more than $15 million in the project.
Once complete, this facility will be the ninth free-standing children's hospital in the United States.
