DOWNEY – The Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center campus in Downey will undergo a massive reconstruction, with the approval of six projects aimed at improving the hospital’s facilities and infrastructure. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the final Environmental Impact Report for the projects at this week’s Board meeting, paving the way for one of the country’s top rehabilitative hospitals to enhance its ability to serve patients.

The upgrades to Rancho Los Amigos include an accessible gymnasium and aquatic therapy center, seismic retrofitting, a new outpatient facility, and renovations to the support services annex and Harriman building. The scope of the overall project also includes demolition of numerous structures and the installation of interim facilities which will allow the hospital to remain fully functional while construction is underway.

“Rancho Los Amigos is the County’s “Hospital of Miracles,” and our doctors and nurses will now have the 21st century capabilities to change the lives of their patients,” said Chairman Supervisor Don Knabe. “Many of Rancho’s patients do not know the sense of freedom that comes from leaving the confines of their wheelchairs to rehabilitate in water and other types of therapy. Rancho Los Amigos is consistently named one of country’s best rehabilitation centers and with these upgrades—it will have the means and infrastructure needed to continue performing miracles.”

**********

Published: July 31, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 16