St. Luke’s Children’s inpatient rehabilitation unit expands access to care for kids in Idaho

On Sept. 17, St. Luke’s celebrated the opening of its new pediatric inpatient rehabilitation unit, co-located at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Boise. 

The new unit will allow kids who have experienced injury, illness or surgery and need rehabilitative care such as physical, occupational and speech therapies, to receive care in Idaho. In recent years, a pediatric patient needing inpatient rehab care would need to travel out of state with their family or guardian.

“We are pleased to expand access to pediatric rehabilitative care right here in Idaho for young patients who, along with their families, are navigating significant health challenges,” said Dr. Henry Thompson, St. Luke’s Children’s system medical director. “Patients who need specialized care in a hospital setting can now receive it closer to home through our experienced and dedicated physicians, therapists and teams. Less travel means being closer to support systems, which can have a positive impact on health outcomes.”

Receiving intensive rehabilitative therapy in a hospital setting will help improve function and independence for children who are medically stable but unable to perform functional skills that impact their safety or the ability of family members to care for them.

Experienced pediatric therapists, physicians, social workers, nurses, school teachers and other team members with St. Luke’s Children’s will provide care and support tailored to the child’s needs.

The pediatric inpatient rehabilitation unit will care for kids ages 1 to 14 years; older children can receive rehabilitative care at Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital, which expanded its inpatient rehab program in fall 2023. Patient stays will range from two weeks to eight weeks.

The new pediatric rehab unit builds on St. Luke’s Children’s pediatric trauma verification by the American College of Surgeons, achieved in 2022. The Level 2 verification recognizes the St. Luke’s pediatric trauma center’s dedication and delivery of excellence in caring for injured pediatric patients in Idaho.

Generous philanthropic donations totaling $5 million made the St. Luke’s pediatric trauma verification possible. Recent community donations will allow St. Luke’s Children’s to fund unique patient equipment needs for the new pediatric inpatient rehab unit. Learn more about Children’s philanthropy.