6.26.12
Local Rehab Hospital Adds 8 Beds, 10 Jobs

Front, l to r: Art Kirkland, Christi Opperman, Kerry Trapnell, Louis Trapnell, Rich Hujus. Back, l to r: Linda Cartee, Susan Steeley, Angie Young, Debbie Punzirudu, Dr. Cam Monda

Brian King
News Editor

GREENWOOD, SC - The Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital officially opened its brand new eight-bed addition at their facility on Parkway Street. The additional beds bring 10 new full-time jobs to Greenwood residents in addition to several other "as-needed" positions.

The facility can now house a total of 54 patients on the Greenwood campus, 42 in-patient and 12 skilled nursing. CEO Kerry Trapnell said he is pleased to be giving back to the community. "We are trying to do our part in Greenwood," Trapnell said. "Being able to add the full-time and PRN (as-needed) jobs lets us give back to the community that has supported us."

Trapnell noted that Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital has been in the top 10% in patient outcomes for the last four years. They were in the top 5% in 2011.

5.4.11
Chamber of Commerce’s Business after Hours Sponsored by Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital

Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital sponsored Business after Hours on Thursday, April 28, 2011. The event is designed to highlight businesses and network with other professionals. Approximately seventy five people attended the event. GRRH provided tours of the facility, and announced their qualification by Uniform Data System in the Top 10% of rehabilitation hospitals in the nation. This is the third consecutive year GRRH has be awarded this honor. The award is given in recognition of the excellent care GRRH provides to its patients.


3.11.11
Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital Announces All-Star of the Year 2010

In this photo with our 2010 All-Star’s of the Month (back row) Tim Kagle, CEO, Rita Dixon, Liz Koeppen, Sheree Foster, Sherry Martin, JoAnn Elam, Will Garcia. (front row) Michele Phillips, Lorie Burgess, Curtis Gantt, Ben Marcengill and Kelly Shirley.

Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital announced Curtis Gantt, Registered Nurse as the 2010 All-Star of the year, at our hospital’s annual All-Star Celebration. Curtis was selected by his peers for embracing the Hospital’s nine Guiding Principles. The announcement came at the conclusion of the Celebration Program; following recognition of each 2010 All-Star’s of the Month.

Greenwood Regional is a forty six bed acute in-patient rehabilitation hospital fulfilling the needs of Greenwood and surrounding counties. The care received at GRRH involves the physical and emotional needs of the patients. Our outcomes have been rewarding for patients, their families and our staff.


2.15.11
Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital is Going Red to Support AHA



Employees of Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital wore red in support of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women celebrated on Friday, February 4, 2011. Heart disease is the number one killer of women, with more women dying from heart disease than four other diseases combined. GRRH employees are passionate caregivers and support the American Heart Association in their efforts to diminish heart disease.


12.15.10
GRRH Rehabilitating Spirits During the Holidays



Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital’s employees participated in the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. Their generosity will ensure that children in our area will have laughter and excitement as they realize their wish has been fulfilled. At Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, we recognize and respond to the community needs.

Our gifts were taken to the Salvation Army for distribution on December 15, 2010. Additionally, our employees have contributed funds through out the year which enabled GRRH to purchase six additional bicycles for distribution to needy children.

Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital is a forty six bed in-patient rehabilitation hospital, which offers rehabilitation services for patients who have suffered a functional decline as the result of injury or illness. We are dedicated to assisting patients return home with a high quality of life. At GRRH, we promote a healing and nurturing environment, responding to medical, physical, psychological and social needs of our patients.


Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital Hosted a NEURO-IFRAH Certification Course
September 11-17 and October 16 – 22



In attendance were thirteen therapists. Ten former and current patients participated in the hands on demonstration of the NEURO-IFRAH technique with functional gains attained throughout the training. The course is specifically designed for physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and physical therapy assistants who work with adults with hemiplegia from a stroke or brain injury. The course emphasizes assessment and management to develop excellence in maximizing functional outcomes throughout the continuum of care. The course utilizes an integrative whole person approach in restoring function and making it possible for a person to return to independent living. The course instructors were IFRAH Specialists Mary Linder, OTRL from Memphis, Tennessee, and Megan Warr, OTRL from Cordova, Tennessee. Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital has NEURO-IFRAH trained therapists on staff. GRRH has an excellent inpatient stroke rehabilitation program to include use of Lite Gait equipment, Bioness, NEURO-IFRAH techniques, and has developed an educational manual designed specifically for the stroke patient and their families.


9.12.10
Life After a Stroke, One Patient’s Success Story

Samatha, another graduate of the Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital

As a mother of three children, Samantha was attending ball games, soccer matches, and other activities that her children were involved in. Samantha went to bed on Sunday night, with no symptoms. When she awoke, she stumbled getting out of bed, leaning to one side, and realized her left arm and leg felt heavy. Her speech was slurred. She immediately went to the hospital and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Samantha did have a stroke resulting in left-sided weakness and paralysis.

A person never imagines having a stroke, a debilitating occurrence, particularly something that would leave you paralyzed on one side of your body. The easiest, common tasks that one takes for granted become a challenge. Dressing, eating, bathing, and toileting can be an overwhelming undertaking. A lot of people have strokes, but what makes her situation different is that she is only thirty two years old. The illness altered her life.
Click here to learn more.

5.13.10
Couple Celebrates 50th Wedding Anniversary at Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital

Charles and Linda Crowder celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 13,2010 at Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, where Mr. Crowder was receiving rehabilitation following surgery.

The rehabilitation staff surprised the couple with a celebration complete with a steak dinner, balloons and flowers. Crowder’s family also attended this very special celebration.

Greenwood Regional Hospital has been open since October 2007 and is located at 1530 Parkway, Greenwood, SC. We are dedicated to providing high quality, cost-effective physical medicine and rehabilitation services to promote the recovery of individuals who have functional deficits resulting from injury or illness as well as those with chronic or complex medical conditions.

3.24.10
Behind Bars to Raise Money for MDA

Sharon and Laura are shown in the photo behind bars with handcuffs on, ready to raise bail!

Laura Granger, Director of Human Resources, and Sharon Martin, Director of Marketing and Business Development, agreed to participate in the Muscular Dystrophy Lock-Up fundraiser. The event was held at O’Charley’s Restaurant in Greenwood, South Carolina on March 24, 2010. Laura and Sharon together raised $685 in one hour of telephone donations obtained from Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, co-workers, family and friends. MDA is a non profit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and other related diseases. For more information concerning Muscular Dystrophy, go to mda.org.


3.18.10
GRRH celebrates Brain Injury Month

GRRH Brain Injury Support Group

Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital hosted a dinner for the Brain Injury Support Group on March 18, 2010. This is a newly formed support group which meets the third Thursday of each month. The Brain Matters group is designed for individuals who have sustained a brain injury. The brain injury individuals and their families are encouraged to attend the meetings for discussion, encouragement, support, information and friendship.

Pertinent information and topics are presented at these meetings. Tina Paysinger, DPT, Director of Therapy Operations at Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital is scheduled to speak at Brain Matters regarding the use of Bioness, and Neuro IFRAH techniques for improving the functional status after injury. The public is invited to attend.

The next meeting is scheduled for April 15, 2010 at 6 p.m. The Brain Injury Support Group meets at the Burton Center located at 2605 Hwy 72/221E, Greenwood, South Carolina. For more information, please contact Kristy Lawson at 942-7124, or email klawson@burtoncenter.org.


3.1.10
Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital Trained Neuro IFRAH Therapists

Laurie Pettit and Scott Gams with a GRRH patient using Neuro IFRAH to initiate first time movement in a hemiplegic arm

Greg Farmer, OTR, MS, and Laurie Pettit, PT, both employees of Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital (GRRH), recently received their certification in the Neuro IFRAH approach for the handling of adults with hemiplegic from a stroke or brain injury. The Neuro IFRAH approach is a philosophy of handling patients to facilitate normal movement in the patient’s affected limbs and send feedback to their central nervous system on how to restore that movement in functional activities. Excess tone is inhibited and proper muscle alignment and handling allows for the normal movement to begin.

This approach integrates bodies of knowledge from all therapy disciplines, treats all systems of the person, and incorporates the variables of the patient’s past, their roles, their environment, and their current abilities. GRRH fully expects the Neuro IFRAH approach to be a valuable asset because of the benefits it brings to the neuro population.

For more information, please call (864) 330-1800, or visit our hospital at 1530 Parkway, Greenwood, South Carolina.


2.05.10
"Race for the Children" 5k Race Scheduled for March



Stacie Smith, Coordinator for the Guardian ad Litem program of Greenwood and Abbeville counties, announced that its foundation, A Voice for the Children Foundation, will sponsor an inaugural 5 Kilometer “Race for the Children” on Saturday, March 6 at the Greenwood YMCA, 1760 Calhoun Road. The race, to benefit children in foster care in the two counties, begins at 8:00 A. M., and is sponsored by the Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital. Smith credits Richenda Brown with the idea for organizing the race.

"Richenda has taken a great deal of interest in our program since learning about foster care kids. She understands that, in order for these children to have a more normal life, funding provided by the state must be supplemented,” said Smith.

The Greenwood Rehab Hospital gave a donation of $1,000 and is the primary sponsor for the event. They have a forty six bed acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital. GRRH provides the recovery of individuals who have functional deficits resulting from injury or illness, as well as those with chronic or complex medical conditions.

"We like to give back to the community,” said Sharon Martin, Director of Marketing and Business Development for the Greenwood Rehab Hospital. “We have employees that are part of seven different counties so we like to participate in community events.”

The race features events for entrants 14 and under, all the way to 70 and over. Each category includes runners in five-year age spans. Awards will be given to the overall top male and female runners, as well as the top male and top female runner in each age group. The course is an asphalt road, mostly flat. The regular entry fee of $20 includes a t-shirt for each runner. A late registration fee of $25 will be collected after February 28; t-shirts are not guaranteed for late registrations.

“I hope everyone who loves running will turn out, take part, and have fun, knowing they are helping needy children, too,” Brown smiled. “Everyone is welcome---walkers, as well as runners--and we’ll all lace up and go, rain or shine!”

Runners may register by going online at www.active.com/running/greenwood-sc/race-for-the-children-2010and completing registration electronically or printout the registration form from the www.childvoice.weebly.com, complete it, and send it with check made out to A Voice for the Children 5K. Mail it to Richenda Brown at P. O. Box 1454, Greenwood, SC 29648.

12.04.09
The South Carolina Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Select Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital to receive the “Above and Beyond Award”

Pictured left to right: Mr. John Green Chair, SC ESGR Committee, Laura Granger, James Rebholz, National Chairman, ESGR.

Staff Sergeant Mathew C. Scruggs, a registered nurse at Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital (GRRH), nominated GRRH. Sergeant Scruggs is currently on active duty and stationed in Iraq. This award recognizes those employers at the state and local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for military duty by their Guard and Reserve employees. The award is given to only a select few out of thousands of employers throughout the state and is presented annually by the South Carolina Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).

Laura Granger, Director of Human Resources at Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, attended the 2010 Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve annual awards banquet on Friday, December 4th, in Myrtle Beach to accept the award on behalf of Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital. This annual event recognized fifteen employers.

11.06.09
Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital’s Donation Ensures No Child Will Be Empty-Handed This Holiday Season

The season of joy, warmth, sparkling lights, laughter and family is upon us. This year, with an increase in economic depression, there are many families who would not be celebrating without the help from others. At Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, we recognize and respond to the community needs. Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital is one of fourteen hospitals owned by Ernest Health. Ernest Health has a charitable intent to support the Salvation Army in the markets where it has an operational presence. The Company is named in honor of Major Ernest Robert Toplis, who spent his lifetime helping those in need as an officer in the Salvation Army.

On November 6, 2009, Major Dieter Zimmerer accepted a donation of $2,130 from Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital and Ernest Health. Major Zimmerer estimated the Salvation Army will be providing clothing and toys for fifteen hundred children in our area. He stated the need will be approximately five thousand items.Some of the angels on the Angel Trees do not get chosen and the funds donated will help supplement gifts so no child will have to be empty handed. Major Zimmerer stressed thatSalvation Army needs the support of the community, and together we can provide a good
Christmas for the children of our community. Click here to learn more.

10.29.09
Patient Utilizes Bioness® Therapy

Mrs. Edith Baldridge at GRRH		Baldridge's Bioness Therapy

At 86 years old, Mrs. Edith Baldridge had been living alone and was independent. On October 5 she suffered a stroke that affected her right upper and lower extremities. Upon arrival at Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital four days later, Mrs. Baldridge required two people to lift and transfer her from her bed to a chair. She could not close her hand or grasp an object. She was unable to ambulate.

Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, known for its state-of-the-art facility, utilized the advanced Bioness® NESS H200 and NESS L300 devices to provide functional and therapeutic benefits to aid in Mrs. Baldridge’s therapy. Click here to learn more.

10.23.09
Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital (GRRH) celebrated National Rehabilitation Week, September 21 through September 25.



The week is designed to promote the value of rehabilitation; to highlight the capabilities of people with disabilities; to salute the professionals who provide service to people with disabilities; and to show the nation’s commitment to fulfill the unmet needs of people with disabilities.

Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital is the only in-patient rehabilitation hospital in the Lakelands region, which offers rehabilitation services for patients who suffered functional deficits as the result of injury or illness. “Since our opening in October 2007, we have helped countless patients regain independence and a renewed sense of self-sufficiency,” said Tim Kagle, Chief Executive Officer. Click here to learn more.

10.23.09
Halo Patient Continues Independence One Year Later



Ms. Burnett, a 68 year old widowed female who lives alone, was diagnosed with a C-2 fracture in August 2008 as a result of an auto accident. Ms. Burnett had a halo, weighing approximately 25 pounds, which caused balance issues as well as anxiety.

When admitted to Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital (GRRH), she was dependent and needed assistance for eating, transfers and walking. Additionally, she required maximal assistance for dressing. In the acute hospital, both friends and case management thought a nursing home setting would be the most appropriate, but she chose GRRH and was prepared to work hard at her goal to return home. Click here to learn more.

07.20.09
Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital Employees Donate to Meals on Wheels

Employees of Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital recently raised $700.00 to benefit Meals on Wheels through a drawing for a 32” LCD TV and wii. The winning ticket was drawn by Meals on Wheels Executive Director, Tracy Marcengill during a 4th of July cookout. Tommy McCrea from Carolina Prosthetics was the lucky winner.

Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation is a forty six bed acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital which fulfills the needs of our community. GRRH is dedicated to providing high quality rehabilitation services that promote the recovery of individuals who have functional deficits resulting from injury or illness, as well as those with chronic or complex medical conditions. Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital was recently ranked in the top 10 percent of 813 inpatient rehabilitation facilities IRF database of Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSmr) in 2008. The rankings were determined by using UDSmr’s program evaluation model (PEM). The goal of the PEM Report Card is to recognize high-performing facilities for their delivery of quality patient care that is effective, efficient, timely, and patient-centered.


02.23.09
McDowell Takes Steps for First Time in 15 Years

It may sound like a cliché but a picture is worth a thousand words. James McDowell walks for first time in fifteen years following a twenty nine day stay at Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital. McDowell had been wheelchair bound and unable to walk since 1994 secondary to his cauda equina syndrome, a rare disorder that compresses nerve roots and cuts off the sensation and movement of the legs.

McDowell was admitted to Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital on January 7, 2009 to begin his physical recovery following abdominal surgery at a local hospital.

During his stay, he worked with physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and rehabilitation nurses who are dedicated to helping patients achieve their functional goals. McDowell’s goals were simple, at first. He wanted to be able to return home and be able to transfer himself from bed to wheelchair. However, as he began to work with the therapy professionals, McDowell surprised himself and the treatment team by achieving greater than expected gains. Due to his increased strength and fitting for ankle braces, he was able to walk again. “Fifteen years is a long time not to have walked, and I could not have done this without the team at Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital,” said McDowell.

The employees of Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital lined the hallway for the discharge sendoff; known as “Priority One”. So on February 5, 2009 James McDowell walked out of the hospital and in to the community. He is no longer hindered by being wheelchair bound.

2008 GRRH News

2007 GRRH News