By Jennifer Torres

Life can change in an instant.

Independence, good health and even the comfort of your own home can quickly be taken away due to illness, accident, stroke or surgery.

But as a patient of HealthSouth Sea Pines Rehabilitation Hospital, where the experienced staff prides itself on offering a higher level of care, you have an ally in getting your life back on track and living it to the fullest.

"Our primary goal is for (patients) to do more today than yesterday so they can do even more tomorrow," said Dexanne Clohan M.D., HealthSouth's Chief Medical Officer. "Many patients are amazed at what they're able to accomplish in a short amount of time."

The 90-bed facility offers outpatient care, is the only inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Brevard County and is Joint Commission Accredited. (This accreditation and certification is recognized as a symbol of an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards and supporting performance improvement in health care organizations.)

At Sea Pines, a team of professionals including occupational therapists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, speech-language pathologists, dietary and nutritional counselors, case managers and social workers work with each patient one-on-one after establishing a protocol of needed service(s) and treatment(s).

Patients receive at least three hours of therapy each day and round-the-clock care from a full nursing staff.

"We are a small enough hospital to be able to provide a "personal touch" in the care and treatment of our patients, said spokesman Gregory Johnston.

"Sea Pines possesses a great reputation in the medical community and the community at large for treating patients needing intensive rehabilitative services. This reputation has been earned over the last 22 years."

The majority of caregivers at Sea Pines have been on staff from 10-20 years, which helps provide a continuum of care that is helpful to patients and conducive to internal morale.

The extensive medical staff also includes numerous physician specialists, including pulmonologists, orthopedists, cardiologists, neurologists and neuropsychologists.

The facility was built and opened in December 1986 by Rehab Hospital Services Corporation at the urging of a group of Brevard County physicians. In 1988 it was sold to NME - now Tenet HealthCare. In 1994 HealthSouth Corporation took the helm.

HealthSouth Sea Pines Rehabilitation Hospital is located at 101 E. Florida Ave. in Melbourne. For more information, call 984-4600 or visit www.healthsouthseapines.com