Business spotlight: PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Wausau

Wausau Pilot & Review

Editor’s note: This sponsored weekly feature shares the stories of locally-owned and operated businesses and organizations in the Wausau area, highlighting the products and services they offer and the ways they contribute to the metro area’s unique flavor. Learn how to feature your business by emailing [email protected].

This week’s featured business is a new, 42-bed rehabilitation hospital opening next month in Wausau. PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Wausau will provide comprehensive rehabilitation care to patients who have experienced an acute illness or injury. Through a combination of inpatient and outpatient services including physical, occupational and speech therapy, PAM Health medical professionals craft personalized treatment regimens that aim to maximize patients’ recovery potential.

PAM Health CEO Rob Holcomb, MHA, and Director of Strategy and Integration Autumn Nickel, CSW, said the organization has developed a range of specialized rehabilitation programs for people living with Parkinson’s disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, amputation and pulmonary issues. 

“The overarching goal for most of our patients is to return to their previous level of functioning, attain as much independence as possible, and return home,” said Holcomb and Nickel. “Nothing makes us happier than when we can help a patient reach those goals.”

PAM Health, headquartered in Enola, Penn., offers specialized healthcare services across a network of over 100 long-term acute care hospitals and physical medicine and rehabilitation hospitals, along with wound clinics, outpatient physical therapy sites, and behavioral health hospitals spanning 22 states. Committed to delivering top-tier patient care and exceptional customer service, PAM Health relies on the expertise and commitment of its highly trained personnel to become the premier and most reliable healthcare provider in all the communities it serves. Its core mission revolves around serving individuals with compassion and expertise while fostering recovery through education and research initiatives. 

For patients, PAM Health’s approach means that no two people will have the same treatment plan. Each is evaluated and treated individually.

“We design treatment plans based on numerous factors including the patient’s diagnosis, pre-existing conditions, physician recommendations, and best practices,” Holcomb and Nickel said. “They are truly customized.”

PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Wausau opens May 7, and the admissions line at 715-907-8374 is available 24/7 with a seamless referral process. Once the admissions office receives a patient referral, a clinical navigator is assigned to meet with the patient and family, either at bedside or in the community. A finalized assessment is then reviewed by a physician – a process that takes no more than two hours – which means many patients can be admitted the very same day. To learn more, click here to jump to the PAM Health contact information below or email Autumn Nickel at [email protected].

PAM Health accepts all major health plans and is licensed to take traditional Medicare as well as Medicare Advantage plans. For a comprehensive list, visit the organization’s website.

Photo slideshow

Here, the team answers questions about PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital, from information about staff to examples of what types of injuries and illnesses can be addressed by their medical professionals. 

Why did you choose Wausau for the site of a rehab hospital? What gap are you trying to fill?

Recovering from an injury or illness is exhausting enough – and we realized many patients were having to travel hours away for the level of care we provide. We wanted to offer those patients and their family members a local alternative so they could really focus on what was most important – getting better. As experts in rehabilitation, we provide a customized plan of care that includes one-on-one therapy sessions, daily physician visits, and 24/7 nursing care. Patients who have been hospitalized for acute respiratory issues, stroke, brain injury, orthopedic injury, cardiac conditions, or cancer may need specialized assistance to regain their strength and level of function. Overall, our ability to help patients recover, regain strength, and get them back home safely. Improving their quality of life is everyone’s ultimate objective.

Can you give us some examples of what types of injuries and illnesses you’ll be addressing? And do you have both inpatient and outpatient options available?

We offer inpatient and outpatient services addressing a number of illnesses and injuries. There’s no such thing as a typical client because we see every person as unique. We might have a patient who is in their early 20s who got injured on the job and is with us to regain strength and function so they can return home and to work. We also might see a patient in their 80s who suffered a stroke and needs help relearning how to walk and talk. And, of course, we see everyone in between too. The only common thread connecting patients is that they are coming to us for assistance in moving forward on their road to recovery.

Talk about your staff and their qualifications. What did you look for when establishing the Wausau team?

When we were building the Wausau team, we were focused on recruiting and hiring individuals who possessed excellent clinical skills and who also exhibited our core values. It is very important for us to have a culture of caring where patient care is our utmost priority. Many members of our team have special certifications, advanced training, and a desire for lifelong learning.

How do you work to support residents’ family members as their loved ones go through their healing journey?

We know that a hospital stay can be stressful for both patients as well as their loved ones. That’s why we place such an emphasis on frequent and open communication. In addition to our care team, our executive team also checks in on patients frequently to see how they are doing and if they have any questions or concerns. When possible, we encourage family members to be present during the patient’s therapy sessions so they can be a part of the healing journey. Prior to a patient returning home, our team talks to both the patient and their support team to educate them on next steps so they can have the best possible shot at ongoing success.

Are you hiring? If so, what kinds of positions are you seeking to fill, and where can we find out more?

Yes! We are always looking to add to our incredibly talented team. As we build our programs we are looking for Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists to add to our therapy team. For a list of our current openings and opportunities please visit https://pamhealthcareers.com/jobs/

Connect with PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Wausau

• Address: 1111 Westwood Drive, Wausau WI 54401
• Main Phone: 715-952-1029 
• Main Fax: 534-220-5552 
• Admissions / Referral Phone: 715-907-8374 
• Admissions Referral Fax: 715-907-8404
• On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/PAMHealthWausau
• On LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pam-health-rehabilitation-hospital-of-wausau

Sponsored by PAM Health