(Richmond, VA) – Sheltering Arms, Central Virginia’s premier physical rehabilitation healthcare provider, today stepped onto the big stage of Super Bowl advertising by releasing its first spot developed specifically for the big game.

The advertisement, which runs thirty seconds, will premier during WWBT-TV’s coverage of the Super Bowl.  It utilizes a series of voice-overs of individuals telling how they’ve learned The Power to Overcome disability, thanks to working with Sheltering Arms.  The words said by the individuals in the spot are transcribed in graphics, which at the end of the commercial form the Sheltering Arms logo.

“The graphics in the ad are incredible, and it grabs you on a very visceral level,” said Sheltering Arms Director of Marketing and Public Relations Stephanie Sulmer.  “We feel it is right up there with the national spots in terms of creativity, and at the same time it educates viewers about how we help people get back to living their lives and doing the things they enjoy.”

The past year has been a groundbreaking one for Sheltering Arms.  Last spring, the organization launched an unique and innovative program with cutting-edge technologies called the iWALK Recovery Center, which continues to receive both national and international attention.  In the next few months, Sheltering Arms has plans to launch more exciting programs that will help people regain their lives.

“We don’t want to be the “best kept secret” in Richmond, and that’s why we chose the Super Bowl as our advertising platform,” said Sulmer.  “We want everyone to know about Sheltering Arms and how we help patients to find the power to overcome their disabilities and setbacks resulting from illness and injury.”

Sheltering Arms worked with Studio Center’s Richmond office to produce the commercial.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services.  To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and eight outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB.

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(Richmond, Virginia) – Continuing its tradition of offering the best and most innovative technologies, Sheltering Arms announced this week that is has been selected as one of the first United States clinical reference users for the Valedo™Motion lower back pain therapy device from Hocoma.

Lower back pain is the most common cause of job-related disability in America, and is a leading contributor to missed work in. Many of these sufferers could find relief from functional movement therapy to improve back strength, movement awareness and mobility. The ValedoMotion device is designed with these individuals in mind, as well as those rehabilitating from back injuries.

Wireless sensors that are placed on to the patient’s back sense movement and give feedback in real time.  The sensors work in tandem with a motivating game-like environment that guides the patient through exercises specifically designed for low back pain therapy.

The advantages of this new device compared to traditional therapies are numerous.  Not only are therapists immediately able to determine if the patient

is performing exercises correctly, the patient is actually entertained with motivating and specific game-like therapy exercises.  Awareness of body movements is heightened, as the exercises give precise feedback in real time.  Additionally, patient training activities are charted over time, giving both patient and therapy teams an easy way to view progress.

The ValedoMotion, developed by Swiss company Hocoma, has been in wider use in Europe and recently received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for us in the U.S.  In addition to Sheltering Arms in Richmond, two other medical centers in the US have been selected as first clinical reference users.

Additional information:

• ValedoMotion brochure (PDF)
• Videos that show demonstrations of the ValedoMotion
• Back pain information from the National Institutes of Health

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and eight outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook and Twitter.

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Sheltering Arms Patient’s Story to be Shared With the World During National Stroke Month

(Richmond, Virginia) — Jamaal Williams doesn’t fit the profile of a typical stroke victim, but now the Richmond resident will represent stroke victims across the country as part of a program from the National Stroke Association.

Jamaal hard at work

Jamaal played football at Virginia Union University. Jamaal was young and vibrant. Yet, when Jamaal was brought to Sheltering Arms, a massive stroke had robbed him of the ability to move the right side of his body or even speak.

He was 30 years old. Through years of hard work, along with help and technology provided by Sheltering Arms, he has regained many of his previous abilities. He is now mobile, independent, and able to communicate.

Not only is Jamaal doing well with his own recovery, he is now working to help others. Coming full circle, he is now himself a volunteer at Sheltering Arms, working to inspire others to overcome their disabilities.

Because of his determination, hard work, and sunny outlook, Jamaal has been named as one of the subjects of the National Stroke Association’s Faces of Stroke campaign. The campaign will be unveiled in May, which is National Stroke Month. Telling a different individual’s story each day during the month, the campaign has a goal of raising awareness of stroke prevention and recovery. The profiles will be available on the organization’s website, Stroke.org, and will be promoted via Facebook and Twitter.

“Jamaal has achieved great things in his recovery, and we’re so proud of him,” said Sheltering Arms President and CEO James Sok. “From the beginning of his rehabilitation, he learned and embraced the Power to Overcome. Jamaal and his family became part of our family.”

Jamaal was featured in the 2009 TV documentary The Power to Overcome, which aired locally. He lives in Richmond and enjoys spending time with his mother, brother, daughter and his devoted Rottweiler.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services.  To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and nine outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook or Twitter.

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(Richmond, Va.) – Physical rehabilitation and therapy have seen a high-tech revolution in recent years, as more and more amazing new devices are stretching our ability to help injured individuals. Bringing many of these devices into one place, Sheltering Arms is launching the iWALK Recovery Center, a first-in-the-nation collection of rehabilitation technology that will be used by expert clinicians to help patients discover the power to overcome disability.

There are many factors that can rob an individual of his or her ability to walk independently, including brain injury, stroke, or illness. The new iWALK Recovery Center, located at Sheltering Arms’ facility on the campus of Memorial Regional Medical Center (MRMC) in Hanover County, is designed to assist these patients on the road to mobility. By focusing on helping them walk, Sheltering Arms will help these patients become more independent and confident.

iWALK is a specialty program that will provide research-driven, state-of-the-science care. Much of the technology to be used in the program can’t be found anywhere else in Virginia, or, in some cases, the United States. This technology includes:

• ZeroG: The world’s most advanced body weight support system for over ground walking and balance retraining. The system is controlled from the patients side by a therapist using an iPod Touch. Sheltering Arms was the first healthcare facility in the U.S. to acquire this technology.

• Lokomat Pro: An advanced robotic walking retrainer. The only one of its kind in Virginia that’s available to the public.

• M Square (Functional Force Platform): The first technology installed in Virginia that is designed to accurately measure and train functional tasks.

• Exoskeltons and Bionics: iWALK will utilize the Tibion Bionic Leg, the first wearable exoskeleton for the leg, as well as functional electrical stimulation devices.

The iWALK Recovery Center represents a new way of thinking about ambulatory rehabilitation. By putting the latest technology at the fingertips of the most highly-trained therapy teams, patients will have the best chance of walking out the door.

Sheltering Arms’ is holding a media preview (media only, please) of its iWALK Recovery Center on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Therapists and patients will be available to discuss iWALK and its technology. Members of the media wishing to attend should call one of the contacts at the top of this release for more details.

About Sheltering Arms

Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and nine outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook or Twitter.

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Richmond, Virginia (November 9, 2010) – A new breakthrough in rehabilitative therapy that’s designed to help patients regain the ability to walk is now available for patient use at Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital in Hanover County, VA, marking the first field implementation of the pioneering device anywhere in the country.

The first-of-its-kind device – called ZeroG – is the world’s most advanced body weight support system for overground walking and balance training. Sheltering Arms is the first health system in the nation to purchase and install the device. The system allows a patient to walk unencumbered across the room and keeps them safe from falls. Therapists are able to make adjustments from the patient’s side, using an iPod Touch that is connected wirelessly to the ZeroG.

ZeroG was developed by Bioness Inc., the Valencia, Calif.-based company that is recognized as the leading research and development firm in the field of rehabilitative technologies. The technology allows patients to begin intensive physical rehabilitation and weight-bearing exercises at the earliest possible stage in their recovery. It was developed and tested at the National Rehab Institute in Washington, D.C.

In addition to incorporating ZeroG into its regimen of rehabilitative care, Sheltering Arms will serve as a demonstration, education and training site, working with Bioness researchers and support staff on an ongoing basis.

“Sheltering Arms has had a longstanding commitment in embracing new and emerging technologies in rehabilitative care,” said James E. Sok, president and CEO of Sheltering Arms. “We are not only excited by the promise that ZeroG holds for our patients, but we are particularly proud to be selected by Bioness as the nation’s first implementer of this breakthrough device. We also look forward to serving as a regional training site for this and other new technologies as well as growing our partnership with Bioness, a firm that is a well respected leader in rehabilitative innovation.”

ZeroG uses an overhead track system with a sophisticated robotic trolley that is coupled to a high-tech harness. The system allows for precise reduction of a portion of the patient’s body weight that a trained therapist can adjust using a wireless interface. This results in a much broader array of possible therapeutic interventions and more normal movement despite weakness or disability. Training under these conditions allows earlier more aggressive walking therapy, while eliminating the risk of patient falls. Therapists are free to instruct, observe, or apply their own hands-on facilitation. The ZeroG is a perfect fit for the innovative programs at Sheltering Arms and is another example of the commitment to help patients find the power to overcome.

More information on ZeroG can be found on the Bioness website at this link: http://bit.ly/9AfeWv. High resolution images and b-roll video of the ZeroG in action are available by request.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and eight outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook andTwitter.

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(Richmond, Virginia) — The Junior Board of Sheltering Arms and the Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital is announcing the celebration of five decades of artwork produced by Richmond artistic icons Robert Watkins and deVeaux Riddick for Sheltering Arms’ longest-running and most successful annual fundraiser – the Bal du Bois.

Watkins and Riddick have been associated with the Bal du Bois since 1956, when they were approached in their small modern design store by a member of the Sheltering Arms Junior Board. At the time they were asked if they could wrap up their passion, pizzazz, and panache for the theatrical into a backdrop for a fundraiser for Sheltering Arms Hospitals. They agreed, and have contributed their artistic talents creating “sets” for the event every year since, including their masterpiece for the 2010 Bal du Bois held earlier this year.

Sheltering Arms is celebrating Watkins and Riddick by displaying renderings of their Bal du Bois works over the decades at the Sheltering Arms Hospital at Memorial Regional Medical Center in Hanover County. These renderings will be dedicated at a ceremony to be held at noon on Thursday, October 14 (8254 Atlee Rd in Mechanicsville). The renderings will be displayed permanently.

“The display of these works is in honor of the generosity and years of service by Robert and deVeaux to Sheltering Arms,” said James E. Sok, Sheltering Arms President and Chief Executive Officer. “Sheltering Arms appreciates the uniqueness that their aristic talents have brought to this important fundraiser.”

The Bal du Bois, or “Woodland Ball”, began in June of 1957. In that first year, the social event raised $8,500 for Sheltering Arms. By 2000, proceeds to the hospital from the event reached $100,000 annually. Funds raised from the Bal Du Bois help pay for medical care and provide financial assistance for patients who have suffered setbacks from illness and injury.

About Sheltering Arms Hospitals

Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and nine outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook or Twitter.

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(Richmond, Va.) – Two area physical therapy leaders are joining to offer expert care in helping people overcome pain and immobility. Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Centers have acquired the established practice of PT Works, LLC in Richmond’s far West End.

PT Works, a highly successful practice operated by Matt Wren, M.S., P.T., will now operate as a division of Sheltering Arms. The strengths of both Sheltering Arms and PT Works will combine to offer valuable service for patients in need of expert sports medicine and orthopedic physical therapy.

Since its inception, PT Works has specialized in the treatment of sports injuries and has been known for its quick turnaround in scheduling physical therapy appointments, getting to the “why” behind injuries and engaging patients in individualized treatment to get them better faster. Sheltering Arms offers an extensive network of medical and health and wellness services to support patients throughout their recoveries, and a strong reputation for quality rehabilitation that the Central Virginia community has come to know and trust.

“Matt Wren has built a very strong physical therapy practice and we are thrilled and honored to have him and his therapists join the Sheltering Arms team,” says James E. Sok, Sheltering Arms President and Chief Executive Officer. ”With PT Works as a new division of Sheltering Arms, we have the opportunity to offer our clinical services in the far West End – an area of town that has not previously benefited from a convenient Sheltering Arms outpatient therapy center.”

PT Works is located in the Martin’s shopping center at 2296 John Rolfe Parkway.

About Sheltering Arms

Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and nine outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook (www.facebook.com/shelteringarms) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/SheltArmsRehab).

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(Richmond, Va.) – The benefits of golf for the physically challenged are too numerous to count, and Central Virginia’s premier physical therapy healthcare provider is bringing the sport to more individuals who are working to overcome disability. On October 17, 2010, Sheltering Arms will hold its 18^th annual Different Strokes Golf Extravaganza to raise money for the purchase of an innovative new tool for its Adaptive Golf Program.

Anthony Netto and the Paragolfer®

The Sheltering Arms Adaptive Golf Program has a goal of educating the community, golf professionals, and individuals with disabilities about the benefits of golf as a leisure activity. All proceeds from this year’s Different Strokes Golf Extravaganza, held at the Windy Hill Golf and Sports Complex, will be used toward purchasing a Paragolfer® for use by those involved in the program. The Paragolfer® is a unique mobility aid that not only gives disabled golfers an easy way to get around the course, it also brings them to a standing position to strike the ball.

“Golf is a fun and healthy activity that promotes increased flexibility, mobility in the joints, and higher metabolism,” said Alison Clarke, Director of Community Recreation Services for Sheltering Arms. “It’s an outstanding sport for physically challenged individuals.”

The 2010 Different Strokes Golf Extravaganza will feature foursomes of three non-disabled golfers and one physically challenged golfer. Check-in for the nine-hole tournament starts at noon, with play beginning at 1 p.m. The event isn’t just for golfers, though! Post event activities begin at 4:00 p.m. and include miniature golf, go kart rides, music, a raffle, BBQ dinner, and a demonstration of the Paragolfer® by pro golfer Anthony Netto (pictured above). Post tournament event tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children. The entry fee for golfers is $50 and includes post-tournament festivities. Full teams are accepted, or pairings can be made on the day of the event.

The registration deadline is October 13. For more information on the tournament please visit http://www.shelteringarms.com/pdfs/golftourney-2010-brochure.pdf or call (804) 764-5275. For more information on the Paragolfer®, please visit http://www.stand-up-and-play.com/.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and nine outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook or Twitter.

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(Richmond, Va.) – Sheltering Arms, Central Virginia’s premier physical therapy healthcare provider, announced today that it has been named once again to the Modern Healthcare list of Best Places to Work in Healthcare. Sheltering Arms is one of only two Virginia organizations named to the list, and is the only physical rehabilitation provider from the Commonwealth. Sheltering Arms received the same honor in 2008.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled at receiving this honor,” said Sheltering Arms CEO Jim Sok. “Sheltering Arms provides an exemplary environment in which our employees do remarkable things, and it’s wonderful to be recognized for providing that environment. We are proud of all our employees and their work in helping patients find the power to overcome setbacks that result from injuries and illness.”

Modern Healthcare partnered with Best Companies Group, a Pennsylvania-based firm that administers “best places to work” programs nationwide. Modern Healthcare conducted this program to recognize outstanding employers in the healthcare industry on a national level. From economic development to employee retention, being named one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare benefits individuals, organizations and the healthcare industry.

The program collected information from both the employer and employees and was open to all companies (providers, suppliers, payers, associations, etc.) with at least 25 employees. Employers completed a survey detailing company policies, practices, benefits and demographics. Employees were asked in-depth questions that resulted in an analysis of 8 core areas: leadership and planning, culture and communications, role satisfaction, working environment, relationship with supervisor, training and development, pay and benefits and overall satisfaction.

A full alphabetical list of organizations honored in Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work is available at http://modernhealthcare.com/bestplaces. Modern Healthcare will reveal the specific ranking of the 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare on October 19, 2010 at www.modernhealthcare.com and in a special supplement to Modern Healthcare magazine on October 25, 2010.

About Sheltering Arms

Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and nine outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook. (www.facebook.com/shelteringarms) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/SheltArmsRehab).

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(Richmond, Va.) – Sheltering Arms Hospital South, located at St. Francis Medical Center in Chesterfield, Virginia, has received an honor that reinforces the high level of care its Inpatient Rehabilitation teams give to patients every day. The hospital received a ‘Disease-Specific Care Certification’ in Stroke Rehabilitation through The Joint Commission.

The certification and Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission means that Sheltering Arms’ Stroke Rehabilitation program complies with the highest national standards for safety and quality of care. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies health care organizations and programs throughout the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

“We’re thrilled with this honor, and I would like to thank our physicians, nurses and therapists for their hard work, leadership and high level of clinical competence which made this possible,” said Sheltering Arms CEO James Sok.

Stroke survivors often face complex problems and challenges that are as varied as each individual person. Accordingly, a stroke rehabilitation program must be broad and sophisticated to assist each patient toward maximal progress and recovery. Sheltering Arms offers a full range of services to help stroke survivors and their family members at its two hospitals and seven outpatient clinics, utilizing personal care and technologies as BIONess and SaeboFlex.

About Sheltering Arms

Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and seven outpatient clinics, visit http www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook or Twitter.

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(Richmond, Va.) – Sheltering Arms is having a good week. Richmond’s premier physical therapy and rehabilitation healthcare provider has been notified this week that it has won two national awards and three statewide awards. Competing against healthcare organizations from across the U.S., Sheltering Arms was honored with a gold Aster Award, given only to the top five percent of entries. Sheltering Arms was also notified that it has earned an award in the 27th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards, and has won three awards from the Virginia Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations (VSHMPR).

Sheltering Arms was honored with a gold Aster Award for its Spine Clinic Brochure. One of the largest national competitions of its kind, The Aster Awards is hosted by Marketing Healthcare Today Magazine and Creative Images, Inc.. This elite program recognizes outstanding healthcare professionals for excellence in their advertising/marketing efforts for the calendar year 2009. This year, entries were received from approximately 3,000 organizations from across the United States as well as Canada and South America.

“It was an honor to have Sheltering Arms participate in the 2010 Aster Awards Competition. The quality of this year’s entries went well beyond the judges’ expectations,” said Melinda R. Lucas, Aster Awards Program Coordinator.

The same Spine Clinic Brochure that was honored with an Aster Award also won two additional awards. Sheltering Arms received a Bronze Award for the brochure in the 27th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards, sponsored by Healthcare Marketing Report. The brochure was given a first place award by the VSHMPR. Sheltering Arms also received second place awards in that statewide competition for its 2008 Annual Report and its Power to Overcome Documentary.

“We’re obviously thrilled to receive these recognitions,” said James E. Sok, Sheltering Arms President and Chief Executive Officer. “While these are marketing awards, the pieces feature the exceptional care our team provides to Sheltering Arms patients every day. I am honored to lead an organization that is dedicated to quality on all levels.”

All winners of the Aster Awards are published at www.AsterAwards.com, as well as in Marketing Healthcare Today, a national healthcare marketing magazine.

About Sheltering Arms

Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and seven outpatient clinics, visit http www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook (www.facebook.com/shelteringarms) or on Twitter (www.twitter.com/sheltarmsrehab).

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(Richmond, Va.) – After extending a public request for proposal, Lucy Corr Village, a highly regarded skilled nursing facility in Chesterfield County, has selected Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Centers as the provider of its therapy services.

These two dynamic and growing Richmond icons share a genuine commitment to the community. Both are non-profit health care organizations started by women who wanted to ensure that members of their communities were able to receive the care they needed and deserved, regardless of their ability to pay. This continues to be a core component of their missions today.

As Sheltering Arms and Lucy Corr bring their strengths together with this multi-year contractual relationship, residents throughout Central Virginia will benefit from top-notch long-term care. While Lucy Corr Village provides superior skilled nursing expertise, Sheltering Arms offers knowledge of contemporary therapy techniques, ongoing training of licensed therapists, and an emphasis on exceptional clinical outcomes.

“I know that Lucy Corr Village received several proposals, and I am very proud that Sheltering Arms is their selected provider,” says James E. Sok, Sheltering Arms President and Chief Executive Officer. “This opportunity allows us to expand our continuum of services and make our research, technology and caring approach available to more patients.”

Partnerships such as this will become increasingly important as the baby boomer population ages and more people find themselves in need of comprehensive, quality rehabilitative care.

Members of the media wishing to set up an interview about this new partnership should call or email one of the contacts list at the top of this release. To connect with Sheltering Arms on the web, follow @sheltarmsrehab on Twitter, or become a Fan of Sheltering Arms on Facebook. You can also read updates from Sheltering Arms on the Sheltering Arms Blog.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and eight outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB.

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(Richmond, Va.) – Richmond-based Sheltering Arms is announcing a partnership with a nationally-recognized firm that’s designed to provide a number of new services for patients. Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Centers and HealthPRO Rehabilitation have signed a formal collaboration agreement to offer contemporary rehabilitation services in the post-acute healthcare setting (where patients go following a hospital stay) throughout the area.

“When we team up with long-term care providers, Sheltering Arms is able to offer knowledge of leading-edge therapy techniques, ongoing training of licensed therapists, and an emphasis on exceptional clinical outcomes,” says James Sok, Sheltering Arms President and CEO.

HealthPRO, a growing, community-oriented company, has developed a strong reputation on the basis of its knowledge of the post-acute rehabilitation industry, and specifically its IT solutions – documentation, management, and reporting systems, which are unsurpassed.

This unique hybrid approach developed between Sheltering Arms and HealthPRO will bring the best of both worlds together and provide skilled nursing facilities with an option that previously was not available – top-notch clinical services and management, combined with superior industry knowledge and software tools.

HealthPRO, which has a strong presence in the Northeastern states but not in Virginia, is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Sheltering Arms because of its reputation, skilled staff and excellent outcomes in the rehabilitation settings.

The need for quality rehabilitative care is growing. As the baby boomer population ages, a larger number of people will find themselves in need of comprehensive, quality rehabilitative care and Sheltering Arms is working to ensure that the highest quality services are available in Virginia.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and eight outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook or Twitter.

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(Richmond, Va.) – The Sheltering Arms Hospital has been given a rare honor that reinforces the high level of care its Inpatient Rehabilitation teams give to patients every day. The hospital received a ‘Disease-Specific Care Certification’ in Stroke Rehabilitation through The Joint Commission – with no requirements for improvement!

The certification and Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission means that Sheltering Arms’ Stroke Rehabilitation program complies with the highest national standards for safety and quality of care. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies health care organizations and programs throughout the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

“We’re thrilled with this honor, and I would like to thank our physicians, nurses and therapists for their hard work, leadership and high level of clinical competence which made this possible,” said Sheltering Arms CEO James Sok. “We’re told it is nearly unprecedented for an organization not to be asked to make changes in order to receive the certification, and that is a tremendous source of pride for us.”

Stroke survivors often face complex problems and challenges that are as varied as each individual person. Accordingly, a stroke rehabilitation program must be broad and sophisticated to assist each patient toward maximal progress and recovery. Sheltering Arms offers a full range of services to help stroke survivors and their family members at its two hospitals and seven outpatient clinics, utilizing personal care and technologies as BIONess and SaeboFlex.

The certification is effective beginning January 22, 2010.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and seven outpatient clinics, visit ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook and Twitter.

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Richmond, Virginia (October 26, 2009) – This season’s H1N1 influenza outbreak has led area hospitals to take drastic, yet proactive, measures to keep patients safe. Sheltering Arms, in turn, has come up with a creative solution that will allow them to continue to have the benefit of visitation with family members.

About a dozen hospitals in the Richmond-Petersburg area, including Sheltering Arms two inpatient facilities, have coordinated efforts in the interest of patient and health care provider safety to restrict visiting policies at their hospitals. This means that with few exceptions, children under the age of 18 and visitors of any age with any symptoms of influenza-like illness will not be permitted in patient care areas. Knowing that the care and support of loved ones are catalysts in helping patients in their recovery process, Sheltering Arms has made web-cams available at both of their area hospitals.

“Loved ones, particularly children and grandchildren, often provide the extra motivation that patients need to work hard, regain their independence and return home,” says Stephanie Sulmer, Director of Public Relations for Sheltering Arms. “Of course, we support the initiative of the Virginia Department of Health and our healthcare partners throughout Central Virginia in protecting our patients from flu exposure. At the same time, we want to make sure that our patients have all of the necessary components to help them get better, including the people they love most.”

Upon the announcement of the visitation policy limitations, Sheltering Arms immediately put a plan into action to have the web-cams implemented in the hospitals prior to the policy becoming effective on Monday, October 26th. These limitations are expected to be in place through March 2010.

“Our patients are often with us for weeks, even months sometimes,” adds Sulmer. “We want to facilitate keeping them in touch with family and friends who fall into the ‘restricted categories.’ The web-cams will add an element of communication and interaction that is lost over the telephone or Internet.”

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and eight outpatient clinics, visit www.ShelteringArms.com, or call 1-877-56REHAB.

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This release also found at:
Online PR News: Sheltering Arms Keeps Family Connections Alive Despite H1N1 Restrictions