The Jewish Home Launches New Orthopedic Recovery Program in Freehold

The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation & Nursing has introduced OrthoWIN, a highly specialized subacute care program for orthopedic recovery. Eric Buxbaum, DO, director of orthopedic rehab, and Stacey Miller-Smith, MD, a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) specialist, are directing the initiative at the Freehold skilled nursing facility, which also recently was named among America’s Best Nursing Homes 2025 by Newsweek.

The PM&R-centered care model caters to patients recovering from a range of orthopedic surgeries and injuries; it is ideal for patients with co-morbidities and those without the social support to recover at home independently. PM&R, also known as Physiatry, focuses on the restoration of health and function with an integrated treatment plan including pain management and physical therapy.

“OrthoWIN responds to a direct call from healthcare systems for this type of skilled nursing specialization,” said Kate Bauer, regional director of market development at Marquis Health Consulting Services, which supports The Jewish Home. “The goal is to help its area hospital partners address the growing volume of joint replacement care and fracture care patients who are unable to transition directly home following a surgery or injury.”

The OrthoWIN platform – with its clear quality measures and a standardized approach – features a guided PM&R plan, seven-days-per-week therapy services as warranted, coordination with a patient’s surgical team on preferences, and wound care management. Under Dr. Buxbaum’s and Dr. Miller-Smith’s leadership, OrthoWIN’s “whole body” approach offers customized support to manage complex cases and co-morbidities. OrthoWIN also includes patient and caregiver education, as well as a virtual or in-person home evaluation prior to discharge.

Dr. Buxbaum, who is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, is affiliated with Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute in Freehold and holds key leadership positions at CentraState Medical Center. Dr. Miller-Smith is board certified in PM&R; she possesses more than 15 years of medical experience and is affiliated with Sea Girt Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Associates.

Located at 1151 W. Main Street in Freehold, The Jewish Home provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care. It includes a synagogue on premises, provides focused Jewish programming and offers OU certified Glatt Kosher cuisine. Large private rooms with showers and an expansive rehab gym highlight The Jewish Home’s concierge-driven rehabilitation experience. The skilled nursing center also has a cultural initiative for Russian-speaking residents.

The Newsweek recognition reinforces The Jewish Home’s reputation for quality, compassionate care. Evaluation for the America’s Best Nursing Homes list is based on performance data, resident satisfaction, peer recommendations and accreditations. Its 2025 list, created in partnership with global data research firm Statista, highlights the nation's top 1,050 nursing homes out of 14,858 analyzed.

More information on The Jewish Home and its programming can be found at jewishhomefreehold.org.

Brick, N.J.-based Marquis Health Consulting Services provides administrative consulting services to skilled nursing facilities and senior living communities along the Eastern Seaboard. The company’s “Care, Anew” philosophy supports its mission to help clients transform industry processes, mindsets and outcomes. Marquis-serviced skilled nursing centers have access to an evolving suite of clinician-led specialty care models, signature services and comfort features – enabling innovation, compassion and purpose in every aspect of care.