GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan's first pediatric rehabilitation hospital will be named after a West Michigan philanthropist.
Mary Free Bed and Corewell Health's joint venture will be named in honor of Joan Secchia.
The Joan Secchia Children's Rehabilitation Hospital will be a state-of-the-art facility located on Wealthy Street across from Mary Free Bed's main campus.
"Joan has always believed in the power of community and the importance of giving back," said Kent Riddle, CEO of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. "Her philanthropic efforts have impacted countless lives, and this naming serves as both a tribute to her commitment and a promise of the high-quality care we aim to provide."
The $60 million project is funded through a public-private fundraising partnership, with the public fundraising campaign beginning this winter.
The project will take about two years to complete with a groundbreaking on construction planned for spring of 2024 and completion expected by 2026.
The Joan Secchia Children's Rehabilitation Hospital will be Michigan's only pediatric rehab hospital and only one of three between the country's east and west coasts.
The project, proposed in 2022, will include the stand-alone hospital across from Mary Free Bed, along with a pedestrian walkway to connect the two buildings. The hospital will have a dozen in-patient rooms, outpatient treatment areas and medical equipment specifically made for children.
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