Multi-Million-Dollar Renovation Punctuates Year of Progress for Avalon

A multi-million-dollar renovation, specialty initiatives in development and a prestigious health care accreditation punctuate a year of significant progress following a rebranding at Avalon Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center. Located at 1059 Edinburg Road in Hamilton, the 180-bed skilled nursing facility provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care.

“Avalon – formerly Hamilton Continuing Care – for many years has served as a long-term care resource for the Hamilton community, and that continues,” said Erin Popelak, regional director of market development at Marquis Health Consulting Services, which supports the facility. “At the same time, the center’s new vision balances its long-term care expertise with a stronger emphasis on bolstering and expanding the capabilities of its short-term subacute rehab services. The facility is well positioned to do both and help residents live their best lives.”

The top-to-bottom modernization is rolling out in stages. Phase I, which is well underway, centers on renovating Avalon’s subacute rehabilitation component, including resident rooms and common areas. A second phase will expand the center’s state-of-the-art rehabilitation gym, incorporating an activities of daily living (ADL) suite that mimics a home environment. The renovation project will also modernize Avalon’s long-term care resident rooms and common areas.

This and other initiatives respond directly to demand for modern, quality skilled nursing options within the Mercer County region. To that end:

• Avalon offers Physiatry services, an emerging specialty also known as Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), under the direction of Dr. Abid Husain, who is affiliated with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton. Physiatry focuses on restoring health and function with an integrated treatment plan including pain management and physical therapy.

• Avalon continues to emphasize strategic partnering with top-tier clinicians. The facility has recently incorporated consulting relationships in infectious diseases and neurology. Specialty programming in these areas – and others – is in active development.

“Building relationships with the best of the best is the goal at Avalon,” said Popelak, adding that the center is a preferred provider for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton).

Over the past year, Avalon has also welcomed new leadership to complement its in-place team. Medical Director Dr. Robert Laurente, who is affiliated with RWJUH Hamilton and St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, joined Avalon in early 2024. He works alongside long-time Director of Nursing Marianna Resnick and Administrator Josef Bogdan; both have been with the facility for 20-plus years.

During this time of significant progress, Avalon also earned a prestigious Gold Seal of Approval® for its quality care and services from The Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

More information on Avalon can be found at avalonrehabhc.com.

Brick, N.J.-based Marquis Health Consulting Services provides administrative and consulting services to skilled nursing facilities and senior housing communities along the Eastern Seaboard. The organization’s operational guidance enables its clients to exceed their quality and customer service goals by embracing a progressive, multi-specialty approach to healthcare and lifestyle.