For the second year in a row and the third time in the last four years, Modern Healthcare is honoring Sheltering Arms by naming them one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare, a program that honors the 100 top healthcare employers in the United States. Sheltering Arms, Central Virginia’s premier physical therapy healthcare organization, is the only organization in Virginia to receive this honor in 2011. They were also named to the list in 2010 and 2008.

“I can’t describe the pride I feel at Sheltering Arms being awarded this honor,” said Sheltering Arms CEO Jim Sok. “Sheltering Arms provides an exemplary environment in which our employees do remarkable things, and it’s very rewarding to be recognized for providing that environment. We are proud of all our employees and their work in helping patients find the power to overcome setbacks that result from injuries and illness. We get tremendous support from our Board of Directors, who really value our employees and are committed to making Sheltering Arms a wonderful place to work.”

Currently in its fourth year, Modern Healthcare conducts this program to recognize outstanding employers in the healthcare industry on a
national level. From economic development to employee retention, being named one of the
Best Places to Work in Healthcare benefits individuals, organizations and the healthcare industry.

The program collected information from both the employer and employees and was open to all companies (providers, suppliers, payers, associations, etc.) with at least 25 employees. Employers completed a survey detailing company policies, practices, benefits and demographics. Employees were asked in-depth questions that resulted in an analysis of 8 core areas: leadership and planning, culture and communications, role satisfaction, working environment, relationship with supervisor, training and development, pay and benefits and overall satisfaction.

A full alphabetical list of organizations honored in Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work is available at http://modernhealthcare.com/bestplaces.

This award is just the latest given to Sheltering Arms for its superior business practices. In May, Sheltering Arms received three local Employer All Star awards, including the top award for its size. Additionally, the organization was just named as one of the 50 Most Engaged Workplaces in the U.S.

The following release was issued on November 9 by Sheltering Arms:

Richmond, Virginia (November 9, 2010) – A new breakthrough in rehabilitative therapy that’s designed to help patients regain the ability to walk is now available for patient use at Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital in Hanover County, VA, marking the first field implementation of the pioneering device anywhere in the country.

The first-of-its-kind device – called ZeroG – is the world’s most advanced body weight support system for overground walking and balance training. Sheltering Arms is the first health system in the nation to purchase and install the device. The system allows a patient to walk unencumbered across the room and keeps them safe from falls. Therapists are able to make adjustments from the patient’s side, using an iPod Touch that is connected wirelessly to the ZeroG.

ZeroG was developed by Bioness Inc., the Valencia, Calif.-based company that is recognized as the leading research and development firm in the field of rehabilitative technologies. The technology allows patients to begin intensive physical rehabilitation and weight-bearing exercises at the earliest possible stage in their recovery. It was developed and tested at the National Rehab Institute in Washington, D.C.

In addition to incorporating ZeroG into its regimen of rehabilitative care, Sheltering Arms will serve as a demonstration, education and training site, working with Bioness researchers and support staff on an ongoing basis.

“Sheltering Arms has had a longstanding commitment in embracing new and emerging technologies in rehabilitative care,” said James E. Sok, president and CEO of Sheltering Arms. “We are not only excited by the promise that ZeroG holds for our patients, but we are particularly proud to be selected by Bioness as the nation’s first implementer of this breakthrough device. We also look forward to serving as a regional training site for this and other new technologies as well as growing our partnership with Bioness, a firm that is a well respected leader in rehabilitative innovation.”

ZeroG uses an overhead track system with a sophisticated robotic trolley that is coupled to a high-tech harness. The system allows for precise reduction of a portion of the patient’s body weight that a trained therapist can adjust using a wireless interface. This results in a much broader array of possible therapeutic interventions and more normal movement despite weakness or disability. Training under these conditions allows earlier more aggressive walking therapy, while eliminating the risk of patient falls. Therapists are free to instruct, observe, or apply their own hands-on facilitation. The ZeroG is a perfect fit for the innovative programs at Sheltering Arms and is another example of the commitment to help patients find the power to overcome.

More information on ZeroG can be found on the Bioness website at this link: http://bit.ly/9AfeWv. High resolution images and b-roll video of the ZeroG in action are available by request.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and eight outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook and Twitter.

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The following release was issued on October 13 by Sheltering Arms:

(Richmond, Virginia) – The Junior Board of Sheltering Arms and the Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital is announcing the celebration of five decades of artwork produced by Richmond artistic icons Robert Watkins and deVeaux Riddick for Sheltering Arms’ longest-running and most successful annual fundraiser – the Bal du Bois.

Watkins and Riddick have been associated with the Bal du Bois since 1956, when they were approached in their small modern design store by a member of the Sheltering Arms Junior Board. At the time they were asked if they could wrap up their passion, pizzazz, and panache for the theatrical into a backdrop for a fundraiser for Sheltering Arms Hospitals. They agreed, and have contributed their artistic talents creating “sets” for the event every year since, including their masterpiece for the 2010 Bal du Bois held earlier this year.

Sheltering Arms is celebrating Watkins and Riddick by displaying renderings of their Bal du Bois works over the decades at the Sheltering Arms Hospital at Memorial Regional Medical Center in Hanover County. These renderings will be dedicated at a ceremony to be held at noon on Thursday, October 14 (8254 Atlee Rd in Mechanicsville). The renderings will be displayed permanently.

“The display of these works is in honor of the generosity and years of service by Robert and deVeaux to Sheltering Arms,” said James E. Sok, Sheltering Arms President and Chief Executive Officer. “Sheltering Arms appreciates the uniqueness that their aristic talents have brought to this important fundraiser.”

The Bal du Bois, or “Woodland Ball”, began in June of 1957. In that first year, the social event raised $8,500 for Sheltering Arms. By 2000, proceeds to the hospital from the event reached $100,000 annually. Funds raised from the Bal Du Bois help pay for medical care and provide financial assistance for patients who have suffered setbacks from illness and injury.

About Sheltering Arms Hospitals
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and nine outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook or Twitter.

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Sheltering Arms issued the following news release today, September 30, 2010:

(Richmond, Va.) – Two area physical therapy leaders are joining to offer expert care in helping people overcome pain and immobility. Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Centers have acquired the established practice of PT Works, LLC in Richmond’s far West End.

PT Works, a highly successful practice operated by Matt Wren, M.S., P.T., will now operate as a division of Sheltering Arms. The strengths of both Sheltering Arms and PT Works will combine to offer valuable service for patients in need of expert sports medicine and orthopedic physical therapy.

Since its inception, PT Works has specialized in the treatment of sports injuries and has been known for its quick turnaround in scheduling physical therapy appointments, getting to the “why” behind injuries and engaging patients in individualized treatment to get them better faster. Sheltering Arms offers an extensive network of medical and health and wellness services to support patients throughout their recoveries, and a strong reputation for quality rehabilitation that the Central Virginia community has come to know and trust.

“Matt Wren has built a very strong physical therapy practice and we are thrilled and honored to have him and his therapists join the Sheltering Arms team,” says James E. Sok, Sheltering Arms President and Chief Executive Officer. ”With PT Works as a new division of Sheltering Arms, we have the opportunity to offer our clinical services in the far West End – an area of town that has not previously benefited from a convenient Sheltering Arms outpatient therapy center.”

PT Works is located in the Martin’s shopping center at 2296 John Rolfe Parkway.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and nine outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook (www.facebook.com/shelteringarms) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/SheltArmsRehab).

Sheltering Arms is having a good week.

Richmond’s premier physical therapy and rehabilitation healthcare provider has been notified this week that it has won two national awards and three statewide awards. Competing against healthcare organizations from across the U.S., Sheltering Arms was honored with a gold Aster Award, given only to the top five percent of entries. Sheltering Arms was also notified that it has earned an award in the 27th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards, and has won three awards from the Virginia Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations (VSHMPR).

Sheltering Arms is being honored with a gold Aster Award for its Spine Clinic Brochure. One of the largest national competitions of its kind, The Aster Awards is hosted by Marketing Healthcare Today Magazine and Creative Images, Inc.. This elite program recognizes outstanding healthcare professionals for excellence in their advertising/marketing efforts for the calendar year 2009. This year, entries were received from approximately 3,000 organizations from across the United States as well as Canada and South America.

“It was an honor to have Sheltering Arms participate in the 2010 Aster Awards Competition. The quality of this year’s entries went well beyond the judges’ expectations,” said Melinda R. Lucas, Aster Awards Program Coordinator.

The same Spine Clinic Brochure that was honored with an Aster Award also won two additional awards. Sheltering Arms received a Bronze Award for the brochure in the 27th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards, sponsored by Healthcare Marketing Report. The brochure was given a first place award by the VSHMPR. Sheltering Arms also received second place awards in that statewide competition for its 2008 Annual Report and its Power to Overcome Documentary.

“We’re obviously thrilled to receive these recognitions,” said James E. Sok, Sheltering Arms President and Chief Executive Officer. “While these are marketing awards, the pieces feature the exceptional care our team provides to Sheltering Arms patients every day. I am honored to lead an organization that is dedicated to quality on all levels.”

All winners of the Aster Awards are published at www.AsterAwards.com, as well as in Marketing Healthcare Today, a national healthcare marketing magazine.

(Richmond, Va.) - The Sheltering Arms Hospital has been given a rare honor that reinforces the high level of care its Inpatient Rehabilitation teams give to patients every day. The hospital received a ‘Disease-Specific Care Certification’ in Stroke Rehabilitation through The Joint Commission – with no requirements for improvement!

The certification and Gold Seal of Approval^TM from The Joint Commission means that Sheltering Arms’ Stroke Rehabilitation program complies with the highest national standards for safety and quality of care. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies health care organizations and programs throughout the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

“We’re thrilled with this honor, and I would like to thank our physicians, nurses and therapists for their hard work, leadership and high level of clinical competence which made this possible,” said Sheltering Arms CEO James Sok. “We’re told it is nearly unprecedented for an organization not to be asked to make changes in order to receive the certification, and that is a tremendous source of pride for us.”

Stroke survivors often face complex problems and challenges that are as varied as each individual person. Accordingly, a stroke rehabilitation program must be broad and sophisticated to assist each patient toward maximal progress and recovery. Sheltering Arms offers a full range of services to help stroke survivors and their family members at its two hospitals and seven outpatient clinics, utilizing personal care and technologies as BIONess and SaeboFlex.

The certification is effective beginning January 22, 2010.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and seven outpatient clinics, visit ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contact:
Steve Mullen
(804) 372-7677
steve-at-endgamepr-dot-com