(HORIZON) June 1, 2017 - The Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation (SCCR), part of Horizon Health Network, celebrated six decades as a leader in neurological rehabilitation today.

"The staff, physicians, and volunteers at the Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation have made a positive impact on patients from across the province," said Gary Foley, Vice-President of Professional Services. "We are extremely fortunate to have this state of the art facility right here in New Brunswick."

Horizon Health Network President and CEO, Karen McGrath, congratulated staff on reaching this milestone.

"It is truly an honour to celebrate 60 years of helping people regain their independence through rehabilitation," she said. "The types of treatment and specialized care offered to patients in this facility are vital.  The staff, physicians, and volunteers should be proud of the work being accomplished every single day."

"Congratulations to the Stan Cassidy Centre for its 60th anniversary on providing high quality rehabilitation care to patients," said the Honourable Jocelyne Roy Vienneau, Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick. "We are very fortunate in New Brunswick to have such an excellent and dedicated team of health professionals who make the Stan Cassidy Centre a recognized leader in Canada and beyond in the field of neurological rehabilitation."

To mark 60 years of this provincial program, the SCCR has been highlighting the advances made in rehabilitation over the past six decades.  Advancements in technology, from simple smart home technology to help people with disabilities remain more independent at home to high tech robotics such as exoskeletons that are helping people with paralysis walk again, are being integrated into practice at the SCCR to help patients with complex neurological conditions live meaningful and productive lives.  Some of the advances in technology were demonstrated today throughout the facility. 

"This facility has a rich history of helping New Brunswickers," said Dr. Robert Leckey, Medical Director. "We are proud of the collaborative approach we use to provide our patients with the best possible care. Using a family-centred treatment program that offers services in both official languages, we are able to provide as much independence and self-direction for the patient as possible."           

The SCCR was conceived in 1957 when Fredericton born engineer Stan Cassidy brought a plan to the New Brunswick Minister of Health and Social Services to address the lack of rehabilitation facilities east of Montreal. Cassidy's vision established the Forest Hill Rehabilitation Centre. Following his death in 1993, the centre was renamed the Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation in honour of Mr. Cassidy and the impact he had on rehabilitation services in New Brunswick.

In 2006, a new state of the art neurological rehabilitation facility was built directly beside the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital. The Stan Cassidy Kiwanis House was opened in 2013, allowing families from outside the area to stay closer to SCCR patients.

The SCCR is fortunate to have the ongoing support of the Stan Cassidy Foundation. A largely volunteer-run foundation that has raised millions of dollars, funding building and equipment campaigns and directly benefitting the day-to-day lives of Stan Cassidy patients. 

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The Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation is the centre of expertise for rehabilitation medicine in Horizon Health Network and a recognized North American leader in neurological rehabilitation. This provincial program provides bilingual care through inpatient, outpatient and outreach services. New Brunswick clients of all ages benefit from the centre's services.

For more information contact:

Stephanie Neilson-Levesque 

Media Relations

1-877-499-1899

Media@HorizonNB.ca  
www.HorizonNB.ca