A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts at the Ludlow Mills site on September 19th. The ceremony included Massachusetts Housing and Economic Development secretary Greg Bialecki, congressman Richard Neal along with representatives of HealthSouth, state legislative delegation, the town of Ludlow and Westmass Area Development Corp.
"It is fitting that we celebrate our groundbreaking event during National Rehabilitation Week as our staff and patients work hard to rebuild lives after devastating illness or injury" said CEO Scott Keen.
The new hospital is a key part of the on-going Ludlow Mills Redevelopment project which is being developed by the Westmass Area Development Corp. "The community of Ludlow has embraced the hospital relocation and the redevelopment of the Ludlow Mills Project, both revitalizing the community and the greater Springfield area," said Kenn Delude, President of the Westmass .
HealthSouth will build a LEED "Silver Certified" (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) hospital and has received final approval of their site plans from the town. The LEED certification signifies that the new structure meets and exceeds established "green building" criteria.
"Our new, 53-bed hospital will enable patients in Western Massachusetts to have access to high-quality, cost-effective rehabilitative services," said Peter Mantegazza, president of HealthSouth's Northeast Region. "HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts offers the latest rehabilitation treatment and technology and now will be able to provide all-private patient rooms. This project directly aligns with our vision to be the rehabilitative provider of choice for this area."
Westmass is proud to share in this joint announcement with HealthSouth. "The HealthSouth project is a significant step forward for the redevelopment of the site and Westmass looks forward to other significant projects as part of its redevelopment efforts for this 170-acre site," said Delude.

HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts is a 53-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital and outpatient clinic provides a higher level of rehabilitative care to patients who are recovering from stroke and other neurological disorders, brain and spinal cord injury, amputations, and orthopedic, cardiac and pulmonary conditions. The 74,500 s/f hospital offers all private rooms and rehabilitation treatments. HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts serves the Greater Springfield area with iInpatient and outpatient rehabilitative care.

HealthSouth is one of the nation's largest owners and operators of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in terms of revenues, number of hospitals, and patients treated and discharged. Operating in 27 states across the country and in Puerto Rico, HealthSouth serves patients through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation satellite clinics and home health agencies. HealthSouth's hospitals provide a higher level of rehabilitative care to patients who are recovering from conditions such as stroke and other neurological disorders, orthopedic, cardiac and pulmonary conditions, brain and spinal cord injuries, and amputations.
Westmass has successfully developed large-scale complex projects in the region for over 50 years and is responsible for the redevelopment of the Ludlow Mills. Westmass is a founding affiliate of the EDC of Western Massachusetts. t
Redevelopment of the Ludlow Mills complex over the next fifteen to twenty years will create and retain over 2,000 jobs and stimulate up to $300 million in private investment. The HealthSouth project is evidence of the economic potential the Mills have for our regions's future. The Ludlow Mills project is a mixed use project with the primary focus on commercial and industrial development. It is expected to include a senior independent residential community which is planned for early next year.