CHI St. Francis unveils new Inpatient Rehab and Therapy Gym

GRAND ISLAND, NE — Remodeled space and a new device are helping Central Nebraska therapists care for their patients.

CHI St. Francis in Grand Island hosted an open house for its new Inpatient Rehab and Therapy Gym on Thursday. Physical Therapist Nicole Morris says there’s lots of benefits to the renovation.

“(It has) some quiet area because sometimes patients need it a little bit quieter to do some of their treatments, as well as increased space to be able to accommodate more walking distances and better equipment that we might gain in the future,” Morris said.

The project cost $135,000 and grew the gym by nearly 300 square feet. The space will be used by patients recovering from COVID, those with Parkinson’s, MS and people like Don Moeller, who suffered a stroke in November.

“Especially on the right side, nothing worked," Moeller said. "As time went on… then through therapy and all that stuff, (I) started getting more action as far as the nervous system. It took awhile and it’s still taking awhile. I have a long ways to go yet.”

Moeller spent a month in the unit before the remodel but did get to work the new Bioness Integrated Therapy System, or BITS. Morris says the interactive touchscreen device is a game changer for the hospital.

“Because we can work with physical, occupational and speech therapy using one piece of equipment has really benefited our patients,” Morris said.

Moeller says the upgrades will help patients, especially when there’s multiple people in therapy. He encourages those going through it to trust in the therapists.

“When you have faith… plus people that care for you," Moeller said. "You know things are going to be on the positive move.”