DERIDDER — TriParish Rehabilitation Hospital opened a $500,000 new facility within Beauregard Memorial Hospital earlier this month, using a whole floor to serve a growing need for physical rehabilitation services in the community.

The new facility, called Rehabilitation Hospital of Beauregard, provides physical rehabilitation care, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory care, speech, social services, dietary therapy and 24-hour nursing. The satellite campus, which opened on the hospital’s third floor, features therapy gyms, private and semi-private rooms with private showers, a dining area and a nurse station.

Mark Harris, CEO of Maxim Management Group which manages Tri Parish Rehabilitation Hospital, said the extra help was needed in DeRidder. He said the growing senior population and local demographics show there was room to expand beyond the facility in Rosepine.

“Today we’re at 13 out of 16 beds in the Beauregard (Memorial Hospital) facility, and we’re at 15 out of 20 at Rosepine, so that tells you right there that there’s a need,” he said.

Harris said the company spent nearly $500,000 renovating the third floor and offers the same inpatient rehabilitation services as the Rosepine facility.

Rehabilitation Hospital of Beauregard will employ about 80 people, and the hires will be led by Tri Parish Director Dr. Jenness D. Courtney III.

Harris said the facility allows patients to stay closer to home while still receiving the same level of care available at Tri Parish Rehabilitation Hospital.

“We’re very excited to enhance the quality of medical care provided for the DeRidder community,” he said.(MGNonline)