Encompass Health Expands Rehabilitation Services with New 36-Bed Hospital in Bridgeport, West Virginia
Encompass Health, a leading provider of inpatient rehabilitation services in the United States, has announced plans to develop a new freestanding inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Bridgeport, West Virginia. The proposed facility will feature 36 beds and represents a significant expansion of rehabilitation services in the region. The project will replace and expand upon the company’s previous 19-bed rehabilitation unit that operated within WVU Medicine United Hospital Center.
The investment reflects Encompass Health’s continued commitment to improving access to specialized rehabilitation care for patients recovering from serious illnesses, injuries, and complex medical conditions. As demand for rehabilitation services continues to grow across West Virginia and neighboring communities, the new hospital is expected to play an important role in supporting patients throughout their recovery journeys.
Expanding Access to Specialized Care
Healthcare leaders have increasingly emphasized the importance of rehabilitation services in helping patients regain independence and improve their quality of life following major health events. Conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and orthopedic complications often require intensive rehabilitation programs delivered by multidisciplinary care teams.
According to Encompass Health, the decision to build a larger, standalone facility in Bridgeport was driven by increasing demand for inpatient rehabilitation services throughout the region. The new hospital will allow the organization to serve more patients while providing access to advanced rehabilitation technologies and specialized treatment environments.
Abe Sims, president of Encompass Health’s MidAtlantic region, highlighted the significance of the expansion and the company’s commitment to local communities.
He noted that the organization is excited to broaden access to inpatient rehabilitation services for patients in Bridgeport and surrounding areas. Sims explained that ongoing population growth and increasing healthcare needs have contributed to rising demand for rehabilitation care, making the new facility an important investment for the future. He added that the organization looks forward to helping more patients receive high-quality care closer to home.
Modern Facility Designed for Recovery
The planned rehabilitation hospital has been designed with patient comfort, recovery, and clinical excellence in mind. The facility will feature 36 private patient rooms, providing individuals with a more personalized and comfortable healing environment.
Private rooms have become increasingly important in healthcare settings, offering enhanced privacy, infection prevention benefits, and opportunities for patients and families to focus on recovery. The hospital’s design reflects these priorities while incorporating state-of-the-art rehabilitation resources.
Among the key features planned for the facility is an advanced therapy gym equipped with modern rehabilitation technologies. These technologies are expected to support a wide range of therapies and treatment programs aimed at improving mobility, strength, coordination, and overall function.
The hospital will also include an activities of daily living suite, a specialized space where patients can practice everyday tasks in a realistic environment. Such facilities help individuals prepare for returning home and resuming independent living after hospitalization.
Additional amenities and clinical resources will include:
- An in-house dialysis suite for patients requiring renal care during rehabilitation.
- A dedicated dining room designed to support nutritional needs and social interaction.
- An on-site pharmacy to streamline medication management.
- An outdoor therapy courtyard that provides opportunities for therapeutic activities in a natural setting.
Together, these features are intended to create a comprehensive rehabilitation environment that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery.
Serving Patients with Complex Medical Needs
The new hospital will provide care for patients recovering from a variety of debilitating conditions and injuries. Rehabilitation services will focus on helping individuals regain function, improve mobility, and achieve the highest possible level of independence.
Patients expected to benefit from the hospital’s services include those recovering from:
- Stroke and other neurological disorders.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Limb amputations.
- Complex orthopedic conditions.
- Severe illnesses requiring intensive rehabilitation.
The hospital’s care model will incorporate around-the-clock nursing support combined with physical, occupational, and speech therapy services. These therapies are often essential components of recovery, helping patients rebuild strength, improve communication skills, regain mobility, and adapt to new challenges following illness or injury.
Care will be delivered by an interdisciplinary team that includes rehabilitation physicians, specialized nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals. This collaborative approach is designed to ensure that treatment plans address each patient’s unique medical and functional needs.
Transition from Existing Rehabilitation Unit
As part of the transition to the new facility, Encompass Health’s existing 19-bed rehabilitation unit located within WVU Medicine United Hospital Center has been closed. While the closure marks the end of one chapter, it is also part of a broader strategy to provide expanded rehabilitation services through a larger, more advanced standalone hospital.
To ensure uninterrupted access to care during the construction period, Encompass Health has temporarily expanded capacity at its rehabilitation hospital in Morgantown. This measure is intended to maintain continuity of care for patients who require inpatient rehabilitation services until the new Bridgeport facility becomes operational.
The company’s efforts to manage the transition reflect a focus on minimizing disruption for patients and healthcare providers while preparing for long-term growth.
Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure in West Virginia
The planned hospital represents more than just an expansion of bed capacity. It is also expected to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across north-central West Virginia by increasing access to specialized rehabilitation services closer to where patients live.
For many patients, receiving care near home can improve family involvement, reduce travel burdens, and contribute to better recovery experiences. Local access to rehabilitation services is particularly important in rural and underserved areas where specialized healthcare resources may be limited.
The new facility is anticipated to create additional employment opportunities for healthcare professionals, therapists, nurses, support staff, and administrative personnel. Investments of this nature often generate positive economic effects while enhancing the availability of advanced healthcare services within the community.
Encompass Health’s National Presence
Encompass Health has established itself as the nation’s largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. The organization operates an extensive network of facilities dedicated to helping patients recover from serious medical conditions and injuries.
Its national footprint currently includes 175 hospitals across 39 states and Puerto Rico. Through this network, the company provides specialized rehabilitation services designed to maximize recovery outcomes and support patients as they transition back to their homes and communities.
The organization’s rehabilitation programs combine evidence-based treatment approaches, advanced technologies, and interdisciplinary care teams to address a wide range of recovery needs. By focusing exclusively on inpatient rehabilitation, Encompass Health has developed significant expertise in helping patients regain independence and improve quality of life.
Recognition for Quality and Workplace Excellence
In recent years, Encompass Health has received recognition from several respected organizations for both clinical excellence and workplace culture. The company has been recognized by Newsweek as America’s Most Awarded Leader in Inpatient Rehabilitation, highlighting its reputation within the rehabilitation sector.
Additionally, the organization has been included among Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies and Forbes’ America’s Best Companies. Healthcare industry publications, including Becker’s Healthcare and Modern Healthcare, have also acknowledged the company as a leading healthcare employer.
These recognitions reflect the company’s emphasis on patient care, innovation, workforce development, and operational excellence.
The planned 36-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Bridgeport represents an important milestone for both Encompass Health and the communities it serves. By expanding capacity, introducing advanced rehabilitation resources, and increasing access to specialized care, the facility is expected to meet growing healthcare needs throughout the region.
As construction moves forward, patients, families, healthcare providers, and community leaders will be watching closely as the project takes shape. Once completed, the hospital is expected to provide a modern environment where individuals recovering from life-changing illnesses and injuries can receive comprehensive care focused on restoring independence and improving long-term outcomes.
Through this investment, Encompass Health continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing rehabilitation services and helping patients achieve meaningful recoveries closer to home.
About Encompass Health
Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 175 hospitals in 39 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from major injuries or illnesses, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is recognized by Newsweek as America’s Most Awarded Leader in Inpatient Rehabilitation and is ranked among Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies™ and Forbes’ America’s Best Companies. It is also recognized by Becker’s Healthcare and Modern Healthcare as a top healthcare employer.
