Message From Our President

It’s only when we look back that we see how far we’ve come.

In many ways, 2021 began where 2020 left off – in the midst of a global pandemic that has tested us in countless, unprecedented ways. However, we persevered, fortunate in our ability to quickly adapt, embrace safe care protocols and continue to treat patients with complex medical rehabilitation needs. That includes those dealing with the effects of COVID-19. Despite the challenges, our commitment to care excellence never wavered and, as the year progressed, we found a new sense – a renewed sense – of hope and accomplishment.

Across our four Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation (BSWIR) hospitals in Dallas, Fort Worth, Frisco and Lakeway, Texas, we treated more than 3,725 patients in 2021, individuals with stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury (SCI), amputation, orthopedic trauma, neurological diseases, cancer, and cardiac conditions. We are especially proud that our patient outcomes continued to exceed national benchmarks.

Celebrating a 10-year milestone

On an historic note, in 2011 Baylor Scott & White Health and Select Medical entered into a partnership with the shared vision of developing a best-in-class rehabilitation network in North Texas. Today, BSWIR is the largest rehabilitation provider in the state, treating over 200,000 unique patients each year through our inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient therapy, acute care therapy, day neuro, neuro transitional, home-based services and athletic training service lines.

During the past 10 years, we opened our Fort Worth (2012) and Lakeway (2018) hospitals, increased the number of outpatient clinics from 34 to 107 across north and central Texas, and more than doubled our staff. We introduced new programs to best serve the changing needs of our communities, focusing for example, on cancer rehabilitation, cardiac/LVAD treatment, wound care and most recently post-COVID recovery and reconditioning.

We expanded our neuro continuum to include day neuro, neuro transitional and real life rehabilitation programs to facilitate a safe journey from hospital to home for our patients. We embraced adaptive technologies, robotics, virtual reality and tele-rehabilitation to improve outcomes. And of course, we continued to train new medical and clinical professionals and explore new avenues of research.

In the past year alone, we introduced a specialized SCI Day program and completed renovations on our 9,000 square foot outpatient neuro therapy center, including a therapy pool, at our Dallas campus; implemented a new adaptive driving program at Fort Worth, launched a new PMR clinic at Frisco, and opened a comprehensive wound care and hyperbaric center at Lakeway.

Gaining national recognition

In 2021, BSWIR-Dallas, in collaboration with Baylor Scott & White Research Institute and Baylor University Medical Center-Trauma, was named a Spinal Cord Injury Model System (SCIMS) by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). This prestigious award provides funding for research to improve the outcomes and quality of life for persons with SCI. BSWIR-Dallas is also a Traumatic Brain Injury Model System, making it one of only six centers in the U.S. to hold both designations.

In addition, our Dallas campus was ranked #14 in the nation for rehabilitation by U.S. News & World Report for 2021-22 and both our Dallas (#1) and Frisco (#13) hospitals were recognized among the “best physical rehab centers” in Texas by Newsweek.

Giving back/Moving forward

While health care is global, we understand that the delivery of care — and the relationships we build — are local. We support our communities across north and central Texas through a wide range of sponsorships and events. Over the past ten years alone, BSWIR has provided nearly $47 million in charity benefits.

We are proud of the progress we’ve made over the past decade, humbled by the tireless dedication of our staff, and grateful for the trust of our patients, families and colleagues in this field.

We are also confident that this is only the beginning of what is yet to come.