Baptist Health and Brooks Rehabilitation to Elevate Care for Stroke, Spine and Brain Injuries with New Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit

Baptist Health is constructing an 18-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, in collaboration with Brooks Rehabilitation, that will enhance patient outcomes by offering a seamless transition from acute care to inpatient rehab services. Baptist Health will retain full ownership of the facility, while Brooks will oversee its daily operations. Baptist Center for Inpatient Rehabilitation, managed by Brooks Rehabilitation, is expected to see its first patients in spring 2027.

The first inpatient rehabilitation facility within a Baptist Health hospital, the unit will welcome patients from Baptist Jacksonville and other adult hospitals within the health system. The team at the new center will specialize in patients recovering from strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions by leveraging Brooks’ established expertise in inpatient physical rehabilitative care across these critical areas. Already a trusted destination for advanced neurological treatments, the new space will enhance Baptist Health’s ability to meet the full spectrum of patients’ neurological needs, from diagnosis to rehabilitation, making Baptist Jacksonville a preferred destination for end-to-end neurological care.

“This new unit is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to supporting patients throughout their health journey,” said Nicole B. Thomas, FACHE, hospital president of Baptist Jacksonville. “Through this collaboration with Brooks Rehabilitation, we are elevating the continuum of care for our patients, so they receive the right treatment, at the right time in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.”

“Brooks Rehabilitation has served Northeast Florida for more than 50 years with a commitment to providing high-quality care for individuals recovering from serious illness and injury,” said Doug Baer, president and CEO of Brooks Rehabilitation. “This collaboration with Baptist Health expands access to specialized inpatient services and strengthens our ability to support patients affected by complex neurological conditions.”

Licensed professionals from Brooks, including physicians board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation along with nurses and therapists with specialized training in neurorehabilitation care, will provide post-acute care rehabilitative services. Together with Baptist Health hospitalists, consulting specialists and non-clinical team members, they will support each patient’s recovery. Patients can expect a rigorous therapy schedule, 24/7 nursing care and an individualized care plan based on their goals. Families and caregivers will also receive education and support to help prepare them for what is next after patients are discharged.

Features of the unit include:

• All private rooms;
• A large rehabilitation gym;
• Realistic home environments for patients to practice daily activities;
• Specialized neurological equipment and technology; and
• An outdoor space to support recovery.