Sarasota Memorial begins construction of innovative rehab facility

Sarasota Memorial Hospital celebrated “breaking ground” as part of the process of building a new rehabilitation pavilion on its campus.

In January, Sarasota Memorial began demolition of its 1960s “Retter wing” to make way for a new rehabilitation facility, which the hospital announced in 2014. On Feb. 11, the hospital celebrated commencement of that facility’s construction. The $50 million, 74,000-square-foot pavilion will replace Sarasota Memorial’s existing rehabilitation unit, which can no longer accommodate the latest technology and patient amenities, according to a press release.

The new five-story pavilion will provide services for patients with brain and spinal-cord injuries, strokes, neurological disorders and musculoskeletal conditions. It will include facilities for in- and outpatient care, including mock apartments to help patients get used to home environments by practicing getting in and out of beds, showers and tubs, using kitchen equipment and navigating furniture.

“Our patients told us these things are important,” said Sarasota Memorial COO Lorrie Liang at the ceremony, “so we’ve incorporated them into our design. Not only will it be beautiful and state-of-the-art, but provide the best in physical, medical and rehabilitative services.”

Sarasota Memorial expects to complete the project by December 2016.