With sweeping views, cutting-edge therapy gyms and 134 patient beds, the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s new $156.7 million inpatient rehabilitation pavilion promises to transform recovery for Alabamians and patients across the region.
Designed by Gresham Smith and built by Hoar Construction, the patient-centered building features three light-filled therapy gyms and advanced rehabilitation technology to deliver comprehensive, state-of-the-art care.
“Building on UAB’s six decades of excellence in rehabilitation, this innovative new facility will dramatically advance our comprehensive, inpatient care for those with life-altering injuries or conditions,” said UAB President Ray Watts, M.D. “With leading-edge technology and expertise—and the specialized, compassionate care that’s at the heart of our health system—this pavilion will bring hope and healing to patients around Alabama, our region and beyond.”
With an emphasis on offering specialized neurorehabilitation care, the new facility is a game-changer for patients recovering from life-altering conditions such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury and other conditions. Backed by 24/7 access to UAB’s nationally recognized specialists, it also houses a state-of-the-art seizure monitoring unit that integrates clinical care, research and education while providing new hope for patients living with epilepsy.
“This hospital is more than a building — it is a promise to our patients and their families,” said Robert Brunner, M.D., medical director of UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center. “Every hallway, therapy space and outdoor area was created with hope and healing in mind. We have reimagined what rehabilitation can look like, combining the most advanced care with the warmth, dignity and support that every person deserves on their path to recovery.”
Each floor is designed to treat specific patient populations, allowing for patients, families and care team members to remain on the same floor. This provides a seamless provision of care and maintains the proper support for physical, cognitive and emotional recovery.
“Our clinical teams have provided life-changing, comprehensive rehabilitation care for over 60 years,” said Jordan DeMoss, executive vice president of UAB Medicine. “The new rehabilitation pavilion provides a cutting-edge care environment designed not only for the best care, but also as a best-in-class place to work in rehabilitation medicine.”
Designed to promote real-world recovery, the new facility is filled with natural light and features both indoor and outdoor spaces that support daily living. A rooftop garden helps patients work on mobility, cognition and range of motion, while an outdoor terrain park and simulated city streetscape allow safe practice on varied surfaces, curbs, crosswalks and ramps. An in-clinic auto simulator prepares patients for car transfers, and recreational spaces like a putting green and basketball court offer therapeutic moments for patients and families alike.
Inside, the facility features advanced equipment to support patients at all mobility levels. Each room includes overhead lifts, and patients have access to technologies like robotic arm devices, tilt tables and virtual reality gait treadmills that simulate real-world movement. A dedicated multisensory room helps reduce anxiety and agitation in patients with brain injuries, using interactive projections, LED lighting, calming sounds and music to create a soothing, immersive environment.
The pavilion houses therapy gyms overlooking the city of Birmingham, private therapy rooms and speech therapy suites. There are family rooms on each patient floor, family laundry and nourishment areas, a family respite room featuring a patient art gallery, and two outdoor terraces that offer beautiful views of Birmingham. Patients and their family members will have access to a convenient drop-off and pickup area on the second floor of the parking deck. Topgun, UAB’s first-ever facility dog, affectionately called “Toppy,” will continue as an active team member assisting in therapy and uplifting spirits in the new pavilion.
“Our current facility was built in 1964, and although multiple renovations have been made throughout the years, we are thrilled to have a new facility that mirrors the level of expertise and the excellent care that we provide to our patients,” said Jeanette Ray, vice president of UAB Medicine Rehabilitation Services and Spain Rehabilitation Center.
The current Spain Rehabilitation Center will continue to serve the needs of UAB’s outpatient rehabilitation patients.
UAB Hospital has been named one of the U.S. News & World Report’s best hospitals for rehabilitation. The physicians in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation lead an interdisciplinary team that includes specialists in rehabilitation nursing, case management, therapeutic recreation, psychology services, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, providing comprehensive rehabilitation for patients with medically complicated conditions in need for multiple therapy interventions to improve their functional abilities.