Just in time for the holidays, Mason Health’s Rehabilitation Services Department is thankful for a new, expanded location to continue helping patients of all ages achieve their movement goals. Mason Health’s physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists and other Rehabilitation Services staff started to see patients on Monday, Nov. 21, at 939 Mountain View Drive, Suite 100, in the newly named Cedar Building. The space is the former home of Shelton Family Medicine and faces the Mason General Hospital Emergency Department Parking Lot. A ribbon cutting for department staff will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

At more than 7,000 square feet, the new space more than doubles the rooms that Rehabilitation Services occupied at Mason General Hospital. Plans to move into the newly remodeled space have been delayed two years because of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are so excited to finally have more space,” said Rehabilitation Services Director Cheryl Woods. “We have been waiting a long time for this. This will represent a huge benefit to patients. For one, having pediatric patients separated from adult and geriatric patients in the waiting area and in the therapy rooms improves safety. There will be fewer trip hazards as children and older adults interact with the space and each other.”

The new space features a larger waiting room area, with space for both pediatric and adult patients; more aerobic equipment for adults, which reduces wait times for patients; three private physical therapy evaluation rooms, instead of curtained-off areas; and new special equipment to treat patients with vertigo. For pediatric patients, there will be multiple rooms for therapy, as well as a sensory gym separate from pediatric treatment space, which allows for more flexibility in scheduling and treating pediatric patients.

The purchase of the pediatric equipment was made possible through a more than $18,000 contribution from Mason General Hospital Foundation’s Endowment Committee. The Endowment Committee’s Forever Fund provides a permanent source of revenue for Mason Health equipment and programs.

“It’s all because of a generous estate gift provided by a donor who wanted the funds to support pediatric patients at Mason Health,” said Beth Gregg, Chair of Mason General Hospital Foundation’s Endowment Committee. “The Endowment Fund has been responsible for this generous gift, and we are more than happy to provide for expanded services in Rehabilitation Services. In 2013, the committee funded nearly $20,000 toward the remodel of pediatric physical therapy rooms in the lower level of Mason General Hospital, so we have come full circle.”

The Rehabilitation Services Department offers renowned, exemplary services to the patients of Mason County, with physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, rehab aides and office staff. The pediatric Rehabilitation Services team collaborates closely with Mason Clinic providers and other local area agencies to support children, through partnerships like the School Medical Autism Review Team. Therapists have specialized training to provide quality sensory, motor, and social emotional play-based therapy for children within the community, as well as training and support for families and caregivers.

“We could not be happier to have more space to serve our community,” Woods said. “The space is open and welcoming, with wonderful natural light from the windows and skylights. We think our patients will find the new space to be inviting and will optimize their therapy experience.”

Mason Health, Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County, is ISO 9001 Quality Management System certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is a licensed and accredited acute care hospital with a level four emergency trauma designation. Mason General Hospital and Mason Clinic are ENERGY STAR® certified and Mason Health is the recipient of Practice Greenhealth Partner for Change Environmental Excellence Awards. There are more than 100 physicians on staff in 19 specialties. For more information or to find a health care provider, visit www.masongeneral.com. To learn more about DNV, visit www.dnv.com/healthcare.