New Rehabilitation Hospital Celebrates Grand Opening Near Loganville

LOGANVILLE — A major new healthcare facility serving the Loganville area officially celebrated its grand opening Thursday as leaders from Encompass Health, Piedmont Healthcare, local government, and the medical community gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Eastside Rehabilitation Hospital.

Located just outside the Loganville city limits but carrying a Loganville address, the new 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital is expected to begin accepting patients in the coming weeks. The facility is a joint venture between Encompass Health and Piedmont and is designed to help meet the growing need for rehabilitation services in Loganville, Grayson, and surrounding communities.

The ribbon cutting marks the completion of a project that began with a groundbreaking ceremony just one year ago.

"We broke ground this time a year ago and now in just a few weeks we will open these doors to serve patients with the highest quality inpatient rehabilitation services," said Tom Morris, CEO of Eastside Rehabilitation Hospital.

The new facility becomes Encompass Health's ninth hospital in Georgia and its eighth partnership with Piedmont Healthcare across Georgia and Alabama.

Meeting a Growing Need

Healthcare leaders said the hospital arrives at an important time as Gwinnett County and the surrounding region continue to experience significant population growth, particularly among older residents who often require rehabilitation services following surgeries, illnesses, strokes, injuries, and other medical events.

Ronnie Wagley, South Atlantic Regional President for Encompass Health, said the partnership between Encompass Health and Piedmont has succeeded because both organizations share a commitment to patient care.

"This partnership has been successful because we are both centered on excellent patient care, delivering the very best healthcare in our area," Wagley said.

He noted that Eastside Rehabilitation Hospital is the 176th Encompass Health hospital nationwide and said demand for rehabilitation services is expected to continue increasing in the years ahead.

"As the aging population grows here in Gwinnett County and surrounding communities, we'll be here to meet that recovery need and help them return to their highest level of function," Wagley said.

Built with Recovery in Mind

Hospital leaders highlighted several features designed specifically to help patients regain independence and improve their quality of life.

The facility includes:

• Private patient rooms

• A large therapy gym

• An activities of daily living suite that simulates real-world environments

• An on-site dialysis suite

• An outdoor therapy courtyard

Patients receiving care at the facility will participate in a minimum of three hours of therapy per day, five days per week.

"As we celebrate here in our state-of-the-art therapy gym, I want to point out that this is a room where hope will be restored to so many lives," Morris said. "It's where patients will regain their independence."

A Familiar Name in Rehabilitation

Piedmont Eastside Medical Center President and CEO Larry Ebert said the project builds upon the success of Piedmont Eastside's nationally recognized rehabilitation program.

"For nine consecutive years, Piedmont Eastside's inpatient rehabilitation program ranked in the top 10% nationally for quality and patient-centered care," Ebert said. "We're excited to see that teamwork continue here."

For Morris, the opening is especially meaningful. Having grown up in Gwinnett County and previously worked at Eastside Medical Center, he described leading the new hospital as a homecoming.

"This hospital is uniquely designed with patients in mind," Morris said.

Strong Local Support

Several local officials attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Loganville Mayor Brandon Whitfield, Assistant City Manager Jeff Smith, and Grayson Mayor Allison Wilkerson.

Although the facility is not located within the Loganville city limits, officials noted that its Loganville address and proximity to both Loganville and Grayson make it a valuable resource for area residents.

"Having a great facility like this so close to the city is going to be great for the residents of Loganville," Smith said.

As the hospital prepares to welcome its first patients, leaders say the facility will play an important role in helping residents throughout eastern Gwinnett County recover closer to home while providing access to advanced rehabilitation services in a modern, patient-focused environment.