The Blessing of Newman Hospital

Gazette News, Jan 14, 2025

When my husband John came back from Stormont Vail, his clarity of thought was definitely reduced. He was struggling with understanding things and his motor skills had been greatly affected. We did not know how much to hope for but things changed drastically as soon as we arrived at the Newman Rehab Center. (Newman Regional Health Inpatient Medical Rehabilitation)

It is hard to know where to start. The physical therapy they gave him was helpful right away, the occupational therapy was so wonderful in teaching us how to think through the challenges we could be facing when we got home. The speech therapy and memory therapy was so effective and in what seemed like just a little while, his brain was turned back on and he was working hard to get his strength back. The team worked him several hours each day and he was excited with the challenge and realized the benefits he was reaping. I have to say the social worker came in consistently and helped so much as well. She helped line us up with home health services for a couple of weeks before we start outpatient services with the hospital rehab once more. All the staff were positive, pleasant people. The food was terrific, and I enjoyed eating in the cafeteria.

They even gave us a nice dinner together on his last night and gave him a t-shirt for his graduation. I regret I have failed to speak out about the importance of having the hospital in Emporia and the great services they offer to the community. From the management to the folks that clean the building, Newman Hospital is a blessing for our community. I ask that we do everything we can to preserve and protect it.

We never realize what we have until it is gone.

Peggy Mast
Emporia