2/29/2024
New Castle, Pa. – Children and families in Lawrence and Mercer counties and beyond now have local access to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s pediatric rehabilitation services at UPMC Jameson.
“Convenient access to nationally ranked UPMC Children’s can be absolutely life changing for those in need of comprehensive rehabilitative therapies,” said Beth Piccione, M.D., president, UPMC Jameson and UPMC Horizon. “Making this service available, right from within New Castle, is another example of how UPMC responds to our communities’ needs. We are able to construct a precise care delivery approach for our area because we are part of a connected, multi-resourced health care network.” 
Piccione continued, “This special partnership between UPMC Jameson and UPMC Children’s is redefining local access to pediatric rehab services. Like UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, and UPMC Magee-Womens, this is another extension of UPMC’s signature specialty services embedded within our region.”
UPMC Children’s Rehabilitation Therapies at UPMC Jameson is the only dedicated outpatient rehabilitation facility for children in the area. Families from within Lawrence and Mercer counties, and even those traveling to New Castle from Erie, Wexford and neighboring areas, are receiving family-centered, advanced pediatric rehabilitation from a convenient location.
“Delivering quality care close to home in all of the communities we serve is a huge part of UPMC Children’s overall mission,” said Kristen Straka, senior director, emergency department, Behavioral Science Division and Rehabilitation Services at UPMC Children’s Hospital. “We see the increase already since the opening late last year for the demand for rehabilitation care in this region, and we are committed to meeting that need and demand for these families.”
The new UPMC Children’s rehabilitation center offers pediatric physical therapy and speech therapy and will soon also provide pediatric occupational therapy.
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is ranked in the top 10 on the U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals. UPMC Children’s Rehabilitation therapies at UPMC Jameson brings the world-class expertise of UPMC Children’s to the community with top-ranked specialty pediatric care within the region.
“Parents often shop around for a high-quality rehab program, as they should,” said Melissa Johnson, director of Rehabilitation Services, UPMC Jameson. “They appreciate and trust UPMC Children’s. They recognize it as a leader, and they know they will be receiving the best care.”
Johnson continued, “Many of the kids are bravely recovering from traumatic injury or overcoming obstacles of a disability. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching our patients prove to themselves what they can achieve. Having UPMC Children’s rehabilitation here is a game changer for our community.” 
UPMC Children’s Rehabilitation Therapies at UPMC Jameson complements UPMC Children’s existing primary and specialty care presence in the region at UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics – ABC Pediatrics (Neshannock Township, Lawrence County), UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics – Shenango (Shenango Township, Lawrence County) and UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics – Kids Way (Hermitage, Mercer County).
Photo Details (click image for high-res versions)
First Photo:
Caption: Beth Piccione, M.D., president of UPMC Jameson and UPMC Horizon
Credit: UPMC
Second Photo:
Caption: UPMC Children's Rehabilitation Therapies at UPMC Jameson
Credit: UPMC
Third Photo:
Caption: Left to Right, Shannon Thomas, representing Pa. Sen. Michele Brooks’ office; Kristen Straka, senior director, emergency department, Behavioral Science Division; Charlene Cain, physical therapist, Children’s at UPMC Jameson, holding Gracie DeBlasio; Jimmy Birtalan; Alexis Connors; Melissa Johnson, director, Rehab Services, UPMC Jameson; Dr. Beth Piccione, president, UPMC Horizon and UPMC Jameson; Pa. Rep. Marla Brown; Zach Lenhart, vice president of operations, UPMC Horizon and UPMC Jameson
Credit: UPMC