August 2026 marked the first anniversary of UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center providing care in the UAB Rehabilitation Pavilion, a milestone that celebrates a year of life-changing services delivered in one of the nation's most advanced rehabilitation facilities. Since opening the Rehabilitation Pavilion, Spain Rehabilitation Center has continued to provide comprehensive inpatient care to individuals recovering from stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, neurological conditions, and other complex medical challenges.
The 11-story, 350,000-square-foot Rehabilitation Pavilion features 134 patient beds, state-of-the-art therapy spaces, and innovative rehabilitation technology equipped to help patients achieve the highest level of independence possible. The facility was designed to support every stage of recovery, combining cutting-edge treatment with compassionate, patient-centered care.
"Over the past year, we have witnessed remarkable recoveries, supported families through challenging times, and helped patients return to their homes and communities with greater confidence and independence," said Robert Brunner, M.D., medical director of UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center. "The additional capacity provided by the Rehabilitation Pavilion has enabled us to care for 59 percent more patients, expanding access to specialized rehabilitation services for individuals throughout the state."
Designed to promote real-world recovery, the pavilion includes three expansive therapy gyms filled with natural light, a rooftop garden, outdoor terrain park, simulated city streetscape, vehicle-transfer simulator, multisensory room, family respite area, and advanced rehabilitation technologies that support patients at all mobility levels. Specialized treatment areas allow interdisciplinary teams to provide coordinated care tailored to each patient's unique needs.
Each floor is dedicated to specific patient populations, enabling patients, families, and care teams to remain together throughout the rehabilitation journey. This model promotes seamless care coordination while supporting physical, cognitive, and emotional recovery.
The pavilion also serves as a hub for specialized neurorehabilitation care and houses a state-of-the-art epilepsy monitoring unit that integrates clinical care, research, and education.
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nts benefit from around-the-clock access to UAB specialists, and a multidisciplinary team led by physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians that includes rehabilitation nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists, case managers, therapeutic recreation specialists, and music therapists. Together, they provide comprehensive rehabilitation care for patients with medically complex conditions who require multiple therapy interventions to improve function and independence.
"As we celebrate this milestone, we are proud of the impact the Rehabilitation Pavilion has made on the lives of Spain Rehabilitation Center’s patients and families," said Jeanette Ray, vice president of UAB Medicine Rehabilitation Services and Spain Rehabilitation Center. "The facility reflects our commitment to innovation, excellence, and delivering the highest quality rehabilitation care."
The anniversary also comes as UAB continues to earn recognition for excellence in rehabilitation medicine. UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center is ranked the No. 1 rehabilitation hospital in Alabama by U.S. News & World Report, underscoring the expertise of the physicians and interdisciplinary care teams who provide comprehensive rehabilitation services to patients with medically complex conditions.
While the Rehabilitation Pavilion has transformed inpatient rehabilitation care, Spain Rehabilitation Center continues to serve the needs of outpatient rehabilitation patients in the original building, ensuring continuity of care across the recovery spectrum.
One year after opening in the Rehabilitation Pavilion, UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center stands as a symbol of hope, healing, and innovation, helping patients rebuild their lives while advancing the future of rehabilitation medicine in Alabama and beyond.