(KNOXVILLE, TN ),  July 27, 2010 – Speaker Pro Tempore Jamie Woodson (R-Knoxville) greeted patients on Thursday June 24, 2010, at Select Specialty Hospital - North Knoxville .  Senator Woodson participated in a tour of the hospital, met with hospital staff and spoke with patients about the role long-term acute care has played in their recovery process.  She also thanked the staff for their dedication and commitment to the provision of quality care and compassionate service to these very ill patients.

There are two Select Specialty Hospitals (SSH) in Knoxville , both of which operate as hospitals within hospitals.  The SSH North Knoxville hospital is located within Mercy - St. Mary’s Hospital on Oak Hill Avenue and the SSH Knoxville hospital is located within Fort Sanders Regional Hospital on Clinch Avenue .   Select Specialty Hospitals have been serving the long-term acute care needs of the Greater Knoxville area for 10 years.

“I was very impressed with the dedication and commitment to patient care that I saw in this facility,” said Senator Woodson.  “These specialty hospitals are very important to many area citizens and their families.  I was also humbled to speak to several patients about their care and uplifted by an attitude of hope and perseverance.”

The Select Specialty Hospitals in Knoxville treat patients who require a longer acute care hospitalization for critical and complex medical and surgical conditions.  Both hospitals are fully staffed by physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, case managers, physical and occupational therapists, dieticians and pharmacists.  Patients benefit from an integrated approach of physician and nursing care, focused respiratory services and individualized therapies.  A variety of programs and services are offered, including those focused on Pulmonary/Ventilator Weaning, Infectious Disease and Complex Wound Care.

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