Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital
In May 2020, University of Utah Health and the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation celebrated the opening of the Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital, transforming the University of Utah into one of the nation’s preeminent institutions for physical rehabilitation care. The University was important to Craig during his lifetime, having received both an MBA and a JD from the University, as well as some of his rehabilitation following his accident in 1985. “My dad’s connection to the University was deep,” said Ray Neilsen, Chairman of the Board for the Neilsen Foundation. “We did this to honor him. He loved creating beautiful buildings. From the smallest of architectural details to welcoming people inside for the first time, the entire process inspired him. Collaborating with the folks at the U, we built a building he could be proud of.”
The Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital focuses on preserving, enhancing, and restoring the quality of life for people with disabling conditions. The hospital’s dedicated teams are composed of regionally and nationally respected specialists committed to supporting patients and families from acute rehabilitation through wellness and independence. The 75-bed hospital is one of the most advanced rehabilitation facilities in the nation and the foremost destination in the Mountain West for patients recovering from and adjusting to life-altering injuries and conditions.
The hospital features state-of-the-art rehabilitation services, including:
- Smart-technology patient rooms – Every patient room is fully customizable to an individual’s needs—with technology to encourage activity and promote independence.
- State-of-the-art gym – A spacious gym supports both physical and occupational therapy exercise regiments and includes an advanced Zero-G track to help patients regain mobility and learn to walk again.
- Mobility garage – The hospital is the only one in the nation with a multi-function garage to help patients learn how to use a wide range of mobility devices—from cars and off-road wheelchairs to hand-powered bicycles.
- Outdoor therapy terrace and garden – An invigorating outdoor therapy terrace and the tranquil Beth Hersh Goldsmith Garden host outdoor functionality training in a picturesque Salt Lake Valley environment.
- Digital innovation lab – A mechanical and bioengineering lab where scientists and engineers work to improve robotic and prosthetic technologies for replacing lost limbs and organ function.