New MCH Tradition Honors Rehab Patients

Beginning in February, patients discharged from the Rehabilitation Unit will experience a memorable send-off with staff to mark a significant milestone on their road to recovery — successfully leaving the care of MCH to return home or elsewhere.

As part of the celebration, patients will have the opportunity to leave their mark on the unit by adding their fingerprint or drawing to a mural. Designed by therapist Victoria Ackart, the mural features a tree symbolizing growth, serving as a lasting reminder of the determination and progress made by patients on the road to recovery.

“They come here and they work really hard,” said Erica Gillette, a supervising therapist and one of the architects of the initiative. “For many of them, therapy is a huge milestone, and this is a way to make it more meaningful and memorable … to give our patients a tangible way to commemorate their hard work.”

The mural, displayed in the rehab unit, allows patients to add their personal touch on their last day of therapy. They will also receive a certificate of completion and have the opportunity to take celebratory photos with staff and loved ones.

For those transitioning to long-term care, the team will hand out handcrafted fleece blankets made by residents and staff to help ease their transition with a sense of warmth and comfort as they begin a new chapter.

Mark Thomas, a longtime MCH employee who retired after 33 years of service, was the first to leave his fingerprint on the mural. He came to MCH for rehab after having hip surgery on Jan. 24, 2025.

“I’ve seen lives change here, and I knew this was where I wanted to be,” he said, while receiving hugs from various staff members and those who helped him on his journey to recovery. “It’s humbling to be on the other side of things. I’ve always been the one pushing patients, not the one receiving care.”

The rehab program at MCH handles a variety of cases, helping individuals regain not just physical strength but also independence in daily activities. From hip surgeries to strokes and spinal injuries, the rehab team works to support every aspect of recovery, from mobility and upper body strength to speech therapy and cognitive rehabilitation.

Regardless of the length of stay, the goal is to ensure that each patient is empowered to live as independently as possible and, when ready, transition back to their community or a new care facility.

“The hope is that our patients see this mural and they want to get on the mural,” Gillette said. “We also have a lot of patients who come back and visit, so we want them to remember when they made their mark here.”

A team of therapists, social workers, as well as nursing and recreation staff began working on the project last summer after receiving support from MCH administration and Rehab Director Karoline Schulz.

“It's really great to see so many different departments and people come together both to support those who have successfully completed their rehab to head home, as well as, to coordinate and create our blankets,” said Schulz. “The entire team feels a sense of pride when our rehab patients are able to achieve their goals. It is an amazing way to celebrate their achievements.”

She added that the residents helping to make the blankets has found a new sense of purpose and included the camaraderie among residents and staff. The supplies for the fleece blankets, along with the materials for the mural, were provided by the MCH Foundation to ensure all patients would receive something upon being discharged.

For those like Thomas, who have spent years helping others, seeing the new initiative in action is a fitting tribute to the work they’ve all done.

“It’s a great place to come for rehab,” said Thomas, who spent about two weeks at MCH. “You don’t just get physical therapy — you get so much more. It’s about feeling supported. I’m doing well. I feel good. I’m ready to go home.”

REHAB SEND-OFF TEAM Planning for the “Rehab Send-offs” began in the summer and included the following individuals: Megan Cuzio, Stacy Sansone, Linda Heale, Victoria Ackart, Erica Gillette, Karoline Schultz, and Karisa Langdon.