THOMAS, W.Va. – Frances Shifflet of Elkins is back home thanks to the quality and compassionate care she received from Blackwater Short-term Rehabilitation Center of Cortland Acres.
“I was very weak when I arrived and appreciate everything the therapists did to help me increase my strength so I could get back home with my family,” said Shifflet, the rehabilitation center’s first patient. “The new wing is wonderful and I would recommend it to all of my friends and family who had surgery or an illness and needed to regain strength.”
Located in Thomas, the new state-of-the-art center opened its doors to patients in April. It has 14 private, short-term rehab rooms and an enlarged inpatient and outpatient therapy facility.
Cortland Acres Administrator Beth Clevenger said the addition is designed for patients recovering from an illness or orthopedic surgery, such as a hip replacement or knee replacement.
“This new rehabilitation center is focused on what patients need in order to recovery quickly,” she said. “Our professional therapists offer specialized one-on-one treatment plans that are designed to help individuals return to activities of daily living.”
After being discharged from the hospital following a surgery or an unexpected medical emergency, a short-term stay at a rehabilitation center is often necessary, Cortland Acres Medical Director Dr. Margaret Kaiser said.
“A key component of choosing a facility is being sure it offers the level of care needed for a successful recovery,” Dr. Kaiser said. “Blackwater Short-term Rehabilitation Center is fantastic facility and offers the type of services and comfort people need to help them get back home.”
Residents using the new facilities enjoy the increased privacy and personal space and also the opportunities for increased interaction made possible with its unique design. For example, each new private room has its own porch for enjoying a book or visiting with a neighbor. At the same time each room has convenient access to lounge and dining rooms that offer a great view of nature.
“Often hospital stays are cut short and patients are sent home before they are ready to be on their own,” Dr. Kaiser said. “People need to spend a couple of weeks at a rehabilitation center so they can be successful and heal properly. We are very fortunate to have this new facility with cutting edge technology in the Tucker County community.
“It’s exciting and a privilege to be a part of the Blackwater Short-term Rehabilitation Center.”
Dr. Kaiser has served as a member of the Cortland Acres medical staff for over 30 years. She has served as medical director at Cortland Acres since 1992.
Recently she made the difficult decision to close her private practice and concentrate caring for Cortland Acres residents and working in local hospitals. She donated several Dolly Sods prints painted by Mary Ann Honcharik to the new rehabilitation center from her previous office.
“After I heard the new wing was named Blackwater, I knew it was the perfect place for these beautiful paintings,” Dr. Kaiser said. “The bonus is I still get to enjoy them during patient visits.”
The Cortland Acres campus includes a 94-bed long-term care facility, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs, rental apartments in Pineview and townhouses in The Pines. For more information or to set up an appointment call 304-463-4181 or visit www.cortlandacres.org.
