Mary Free Bed sets forth bold vision of world-class center of excellence; will develop Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network
Network will align referring physicians, hospitals in west, mid- and north Michigan. Patients will have access to Mary Free Bed specialty expertise in more places.
Mary Free Bed today announced plans to move forward with a bold vision to position Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital as a world–class center of excellence for rehabilitation. Mary Free Bed’s vision, according to Mary Free Bed Guild and Hospital leadership, is to create the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network, a geographic alliance of hospitals and providers formally integrated with an independent Mary Free Bed.
“Patients have better outcomes and are more independent if they receive their rehabilitation care from Mary Free Bed,” said Kent Riddle, Hospital CEO. “Mary Free Bed is the gold standard in rehabilitative care. Developing the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network will extend our brand and expertise beyond the walls of the hospital to other settings, resulting in a seamless integrated system of care for patients.”
The Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Network will provide rehabilitation care for patients and families in west, mid- and north Michigan through formal alignment with referring physicians and hospitals. Major trauma centers will have minority ownership opportunities; the Mary Free Bed Guild will be the majority partner.
“Mary Free Bed will continue to do what we do best, in more places, and we will do it better than ever,” says Riddle. “This is an exciting time in our history. There will be more news to come as more people learn about the success of our network.”
“Mary Free Bed Guild’s 120-year history of providing hope and freedom to patients will endure and flourish within the network,” said Julie Ridenour, president of the Guild. “We will continue to serve the community which is at the core of our mission. We encourage all rehab candidates at the time of choice to choose the best.”
Members of the Guild and Hospital boards voted to adopt the vision and network plan in meetings held earlier this week. Further details regarding the network will be forthcoming as plans are developed.
“The ideal system of rehabilitative care will expand the high quality of Mary Free Bed’s care to a broad regional network, help train the next generation of health care rehabilitation professionals, and promote innovative treatments and cures through research,” said Dr. John Butzer, Chief Medical Officer. “This is a great step forward to providing state of the art rehabilitative care for more people in Michigan.”
Mary Free Bed was awarded the 2009 Michigan Quality Leadership award and has been recognized as one of the “101 Best and Brightest Companies” to work for in West Michigan.
Founded more than 100 years ago, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital is an 80-bed, not-for-profit, acute rehabilitation center. Its mission is to restore hope and freedom through rehabilitation to people with disabilities. Mary Free Bed offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation for children and adults using an interdisciplinary approach. Also available are numerous specialty programs designed to increase the quality of life and independence of people with disabilities. For more information about Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, please visit
Mary Free Bed's website, or call 800.528.8989.