Astoria, Ore. – PeaceHealth took a significant step forward in addressing a critical healthcare need in Lane County on Wednesday by breaking ground on a new, state-of-the-art rehabilitation facility. The project aims to provide specialized care that has been in short supply within the region.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon emphasized the importance of the new facility, noting that many local patients and their families are currently forced to travel out of the area to access specialized rehabilitation services. With 42 inpatient beds, the new facility will offer a range of therapeutic services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and intensive nursing care. Notably, it will also feature the region’s first dedicated brain injury unit, a major addition to local healthcare resources.
“Right now, too many of our patients and our families must travel outside of the region for specialized rehab care. This facility changes that,” VanGordon said. “With its state-of-the-art therapy and specialized brain injury unit, this hospital will fill a critical gap in our community.”
The new rehabilitation center will span 67,000 square feet and is expected to provide care for individuals recovering from strokes, brain injuries, and other debilitating conditions. The facility will be located near the existing PeaceHealth Riverbend Hospital in Springfield, strengthening the area’s medical infrastructure and expanding the range of services available to residents.
For local residents like Bob Cross, who suffered a brain injury in a plane crash years ago, the new facility offers hope. His wife, Michelle Cross, recalled the difficult decision to relocate to Denver, Colorado, for Bob’s rehabilitation at Craig Hospital. The absence of such specialized care in the local area at the time was a major hardship for their family.
“[It was] very clear that Bob was going to need to have further rehabilitation to gain some of his independence back after the brain injury. And our best option at that point was Denver, Colorado,” Michelle Cross explained.
Bob Cross expressed his enthusiasm for the new facility, saying, “I’m excited that people can not have to leave to find the care that we’re going to have here.”
The new rehabilitation facility is expected to open in the summer of 2026 and will be staffed by over 120 healthcare professionals. PeaceHealth officials believe the center will not only improve access to high-quality rehabilitation services but also create job opportunities in the local healthcare sector.
Alicia Beymer, Chief Administrative Officer for PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Riverbend, shared that the location of the new facility was initially considered for the now-closed University District Hospital in downtown Eugene. However, after evaluating the feasibility of retrofitting the existing building, it was determined that the University District tower’s design and the extensive seismic upgrades required would make such a project unworkable.
“We looked at wanting to provide innovative inpatient rehab services in a state-of-the-art environment, but after reviewing the University District location, we realized it wasn’t a viable option for the type of services we wanted to offer,” Beymer said.
The new facility is set to be a game-changer for local residents in need of specialized rehabilitation, offering a comprehensive range of services without the need to travel long distances for care. It will provide a much-needed local option for patients recovering from strokes, brain injuries, and other significant medical conditions, while also bolstering the region’s healthcare workforce.
As construction begins, the community eagerly anticipates the opening of this transformative medical center, set to enhance the health and well-being of Lane County residents for years to come.
