Piedmont, the leading healthcare system in the state of Georgia, and Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC), the nation’s largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, today announced they have expanded their existing joint venture arrangement to include Walton Rehabilitation Hospital, in Augusta, Georgia.
The 70-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital, located at 1355 Independence Drive, was purchased by Encompass Health in 2013. Piedmont and Encompass Health’s existing joint venture includes Rehabilitation Hospital of Newnan, Georgia; Rehabilitation Hospital of Henry, Georgia; Regional Rehabilitation Hospital in Phenix City, Alabama; Rehabilitation Hospital of Columbus, Georgia; and Rehabilitation Hospital of Atlanta, Georgia. Piedmont and Encompass Health have also announced plans to build hospitals in Athens and Loganville, Georgia.
“We are excited to continue growing our partnership with Piedmont, a well‑respected integrated healthcare leader serving Georgia residents for more than a century,” said Ronnie Wagley, President of Encompass Health’s South Atlantic region. “By leveraging the strengths of both organizations, we look forward to continuing to serve patients in the Augusta area and providing coordinated, connected care that meets patients where they are in their healthcare journeys.”
“As a destination for healthcare, Piedmont Augusta treats patients from across Georgia,” said Lily Henson, M.D., CEO of Piedmont’s Augusta clinical hub. “By adding Walton Rehabilitation Hospital to our system, it is now easier for us to provide the high-quality, patient-centered care and seamlessly integrated experience for which we are known.”
Complementing local acute care services like those provided by Piedmont, Encompass Health inpatient rehabilitation hospitals provide essential rehabilitative services that help patients recovering from strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions regain function and independence. Patients receive a minimum of three hours of intensive therapy for five days each week, frequent physician visits and 24-hour nursing care.
