Allegheny Health Network (AHN) has opened an expanded inpatient rehabilitation unit at Allegheny Valley Hospital (AVH) in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania. The $6.2 million project increases the number of inpatient rehabilitation beds from 17 to 29 and establishes AVH as AHN’s center of excellence for inpatient rehabilitation services.
The new unit was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by hospital leaders, clinicians, community partners, and donors. Construction began in July 2025 and included the addition of 12 new beds and a consolidated, modern space designed for patients with complex medical, neurological, and orthopedic needs. As part of this expansion, AVH hired 36 new employees including nurses, therapists, and support staff.
“Today’s opening represents a meaningful commitment to the health and future of the Allegheny Valley community,” said Mark A. Rubino, MD, president of AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital. “This expanded unit allows us to care for more patients, offer the most advanced rehabilitation therapies available, and continue delivering exceptional outcomes for individuals recovering from serious injuries, illnesses, and surgeries.”
The hospital’s program is recognized with the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission for Traumatic Brain Injury rehabilitation. It serves patients recovering from traumatic brain injuries and strokes as well as those with spinal cord injuries, neurological conditions, orthopedic surgeries, or general debilities after extended hospital stays.
The facility includes advanced technologies such as overground gait and fall-prevention systems; body-weight-supported treadmill training; functional electrical stimulation; immersive virtual reality therapy; cognitive and driving assessment tools; speech and swallowing therapies; the Bioness Vector system—a smart harness on a ceiling-mounted robotic track that tracks patient movement in real time—and the LokoStation treadmill system.
“These technologies allow our teams to safely get patients moving earlier in their recovery while providing more precise, personalized therapy,” said Jeff Carlson, chief operating officer of AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital. “By centralizing inpatient rehab services here at Allegheny Valley and investing in leading-edge equipment, we are creating a true destination for high-quality rehabilitation care in this region.”
Philanthropic contributions supported the expansion. The Alle-Kiski Medical Center Trust provided nearly $300,000 toward major equipment purchases including the Bioness Vector system and LokoStation.
Beyond clinical improvements inside the hospital building itself—last summer AVH also completed a Healing Garden and Courtyard near its main entrance thanks to donations from both the Alle-Kiski Medical Center Trust and private donors such as the Schaub family. The garden offers landscaped greenery with seating areas for employees, patients in recovery or members of the community—a space dedicated to honoring Dr. David Schaub’s legacy.
“The opening of this unit, and the healing spaces that surround it demonstrates our long-term commitment to this community,” said Dr. Rubino. “We are investing not only in advanced medical care but in environments that promote healing dignity and hope.”
