East campus
Major expansion of rehabilitation institute planned
 Reviewing plans for the east campus are (standing, from left) J. Lynn Martell, DMin; vice president for advancement; Donald G. Pursley, DBA, executive vice president for finance & administration/chief financial officer; (seated, from left) Mara McCarville, RN, CCM, CCRN, executive director, Rehabilitation Institute; Michael H. Jackson, MPH, senior vice president for strategic planning; and Murray E. Brandstater, MD, PhD, director, Rehabilitation Institute. |
Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center is planning a major expansion on what is known as the east campus, according to B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, president and chief executive officer of LLUAHSC. Heading the new project is Michael H. Jackson, MPH, senior vice president for LLUAHSC and Loma Linda University Medical Center, and administrator of the east campus.
"Twenty acres make up the east campus complex," Mr. Jackson says. "Included in this area is the Community Medical Center, the current Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, and two office buildings known as the Professional Plaza."
Meeting on January 25, 2001, the LLUAHSC Board of Trustees voted to establish a Rehabilitation Institute and named Mr. Jackson as project director.
"The Rehabilitation Institute will have three components, which are service, education, and research," Mr. Jackson says. Project plans include a new inpatient entrance for Loma Linda University Community Medical Center, a 40-bed Rehabilitation Institute, a physical therapy/occupational therapy area, renovation of the current Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, and a therapy pool with showers and support areas. This section will also provide space for a future rehabilitation research area.
A connecting corridor will link the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center with the Community Medical Center. A single inpatient therapy area will be constructed for joint patient use. The cost of the project, when completed in all its phases, is estimated to be $15 million.
Accommodation will be made for future spine and joint center patients;
in addition, surgical and support spaces will be expanded as new programs
develop.
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Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center president and chief executive officer B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS (at podium), honors Thomas and Violet Zapara for their major contribution to help make the east campus Rehabilitation Institute a reality. Pictured (from left) are J. Lynn Martell, DMin, vice president for advancement, LLUAHSC; Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, chancellor, LLU; Thomas and Violet Zapara; Michael H. Jackson, MPH, senior vice president, LLUAHSC; and W. Augustus Cheatham, MSW, vice president for public affairs, LLUAHSC. The Zaparas were presented with the LLUAHSC Distinguished Humanitarian Award for their gift to help develop the east campus. Major gift makes east campus a reality Thomas and Violet Zapara, both alumni of La Sierra University, have for many years advanced the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church--particularly in the field of education--through their visionary leadership, generously contributed time, and liberal financial support. Combining the fruits of their keen business acumen with a strong sense of mission, the Zaparas have played major philanthropic roles in a number of projects and initiatives that have assisted Loma Linda University & Medical Center, including the Business Executives' Challenge to Alumni (BECA) program. Colleges and universities in North America, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region--including Loma Linda University--benefited from this program. The vision of the Zaparas seems boundless. They funded the Alma McKibben Awards; provided initial challenge grants and subsequent support to establish and maintain La Sierra University's Stahl Center; and founded the Zapara Excellence in Teaching Award. More than 400 teachers, including several from Loma Linda University, who have demonstrated commitment to excellence in Adventist education have been honored with this award. Loma Linda University's mission has been forwarded over the years in large part through the magnanimous generosity of the Zaparas. Their most recent partnership with Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center (LLUAHSC) involved a major expansion of the east campus--a 20-acre complex--including construction of the Rehabilitation Institute. The LLUAHSC Distinguished Humanitarian Award was presented to the Zaparas during the School of Medicine conferring-of-degrees ceremony held May 27, 2001. |
All the buildings--both existing and those to be constructed--will be surrounded by healing gardens and grounds, Mr. Jackson states. Parking will be unobtrusively located throughout the complex.
On Sunday, January 28, 2001, rehabilitation patients who were being treated on unit 6100 at LLUMC were transferred to newly renovated rooms at Community Medical Center. "We started out with a census of six patients on the first day of the move," Mr. Jackson adds. "Shortly thereafter, the census increased."
As part of this move, several patient rooms at Community Medical Center have been renovated to accommodate the rehabilitation inpatients.
"Loma Linda University Community Medical Center will transition from a general acute to a speciality facility," Mr. Jackson explains.
The 40 new rehabilitation beds to be added will have hillside and mountain views. In addition, the current 44 patient rooms and the 40 new patient rooms will all be single occupancy.
Parallel bars, mats, and other devices have been installed to support the inpatient rehabilitation process.
"Thomas and Violet Zapara (see sidebar on page 43), businesspersons and philanthropists, have already made a multi-million dollar contribution for this project," Mr. Jackson explains. "Without this generous gift and the vision of the donors, we would not be able to move forward with this project."
"Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center's mission has been forwarded over the years in large part through the magnanimous generosity of the Zaparas," Dr. Behrens says. "They have partnered with Loma Linda in a number of projects and programs that have greatly blessed this institution."
The program planning process for the Rehabilitation Institute has involved more than 100 physicians, administrators, therapists, and support staff, as well as independent consultants. "The Institute will focus on rehabilitation services directed and coordinated by the faculty clinicians of the School of Medicine," Mr. Jackson clarifies. "Although primarily these physicians are part of the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation, physicians in other departments also collaborate in providing services in the Institute.
"The Institute will primarily function on the east campus where physicians, therapists, and diagnostic services will be centrally located for the maximum convenience of patients and their families."
The new complex will be designed in a way that will be fully integrated with the other existing buildings on the site, according to Mr. Jackson.
"The facility will be constructed with the healing environment in mind," he continues. "Research shows a linkage between an individual's medical outcome and his or her interaction with nature. This environment not only encompasses the interior architecture, but also the landscaping that surrounds the facility.
"Patients in the new facility will be able to either passively participate by looking out their windows, or actively take part by going outside and involving themselves in such activities as therapeutic gardening.
"Rehabilitation patients traditionally spend much more time at a hospital facility than do many other types of patients," Mr. Jackson notes.
"The concept of the healing power of nature is not new," he
continues. "In her book, Medical Ministry, page 232, Ellen G. White,
one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and of Loma Linda
University, suggests that ‘the surroundings of a sanitarium should
be as attractive as possible. Out-of-door life is a means of gaining health
and happiness.
"As the sick look upon the beautiful scenery, as they see the flowers
in their loveliness, they will venture to take a few steps outdoors to
gather some of the flowers--precious messengers of God's love
to His family in affliction here below. In flower gardens and orchard,
the sick will find health, cheerfulness, and happy thoughts.'"
 Rehabilitation Institute therapists teach resistive exercises to an outpatient. The therapeutic pool is often used for individuals who have rheumatoid arthritis or are recovering from bone fractures. |
An average stay for a typical patient is two to four days, while a rehabilitation patient may spend from several weeks to a few months in an inpatient facility.
Research shows that patients who are hospitalized in a healing environment have shorter stays and better medical outcomes including reduced anxiety and discomfort, lower blood pressure, and improved pain management.
"Our goal is that, when the project is completed, we will rank in the top five rehabilitation institutions in the nation and be a model of excellent service, positive clinical outcomes, and cost-effective operation," Mr. Jackson anticipates.
"This Institute will be very good for the community. We hope to draw patients not only from our region, but also nationally and internationally."
"The Professional Plaza will be used for physicians and medical services integral to the success of the east campus," Mr. Jackson explains. Included will be a primary care for the disabled clinic and a membership services club for the disabled.
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Loma Linda University Medical Center
Rehabilitation Institute Vision Statement The Rehabilitation Institute will be a national leader renowned for its clinical and service excellence, its commitment to patient-centered care, and its dedication to the healing, health, and wellness of the whole person. This vision will be accomplished by:
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