Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center Announces Online Rehabilitation Reunion Starting September 16

Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC) has announced that it will hold a virtual Rehabilitation Reunion at mtascutneyhospital.org/reunion, starting September 16. The Hospital’s annual event brings together former patients and caregivers of the Rehabilitation Center at Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center to reconnect and share their stories of success.

Starting on September 16, former and current patients are invited to visit the Hospital’s web page to see a video created just for them. The Hospital recognizes that current and former patients look forward to the annual in-person event. MAHHC wanted to find a way to mark National Rehabilitation Week and to be sure its patients know they are remembered, even though the in-person outdoor event is cancelled for this year. Instead, patients will hear from staff and patients on the video. They will also be able to join a dedicated online group that will be open through the end of September to let them engage with Hospital staff and share their stories.

According to Belinda Needham-Shropshire, Director of Rehabilitation Services, “the Rehabilitation Reunion is a highlight of the year for all of us. The people we work with mean the world to us, and it’s a delight to see them every year, living their lives.” She adds, “We also know that reconnecting with us is an important part of their journey, because physical and emotional healing keeps happening long after people leave us. Caregivers and patients do intense work together, and you don’t forget the people who have been through that with you. While safety protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic mean we can’t meet face to face as a group this year, we’re making every effort to maintain these important connections, until we can celebrate again as a group next year.” She points out that instead of a single afternoon get-together, this year’s reunion is happening over a period of weeks, from September 16 to September 30, letting former and current patients engage at their own convenience.

The Rehabilitation Center is accredited by CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, a non-profit organization that evaluates and accredits more than 50,000 programs and services at 25,000 locations worldwide. CARF bestows accreditation on rehabilitation programs that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to quality improvement, a focus on patients, and continual monitoring of results.