Alexandria Rehab & Healthcare Launches Stroke Recovery Program

Alexandria Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center has launched a Stroke Recovery Program, the first specialized subacute care offering of its kind for the region. In tandem, the center became the first in Virginia – and one of the first in the nation – to earn the Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification offered by the American Heart Association®, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all.

Located at 900 Virginia Avenue, Alexandria provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care. “The center’s Stroke Recovery program – designed to meet the American Heart Association’s evidence-based standards of care for stroke survivors – reflects its commitment to transformative skilled nursing services,” said Megan Shilling, regional director of market development at Marquis Health Consulting Services, which supports Alexandria.

Alexandria’s stroke rehabilitation services are tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of an individual, dependent on how they have been impacted by a stroke. Under the direction of Rubeena Vincent, NP, a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) specialist, the program aims to help restore physical function, gain strength and endurance, improve balance and mobility, manage pain and spasticity, overcome speech and communication deficits, and develop new cognitive strategies.

Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the U.S. and approximately 795,000 people each year experience a new or recurrent stroke, according to the American Heart Association’s 2024 statistical update. This certification provides a framework for evaluating skilled nursing facilities against rigorous science-based requirements for stroke rehabilitation, including program management, patient and caregiver education and support, care coordination, clinical management and quality improvement.

“When there are evidence-based processes during every phase of care, patients have the best opportunity for positive outcomes,” said Pamela Duncan, PhD, PT, FAPTA, FAHA, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association’s Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification Oversight Workgroup. “Participation in this certification benefits the patient and the facility by standardizing care, helping patients and their loved ones choose a facility that follows important best practices.”

The Association’s certification ensures stroke rehabilitation care is coordinated from pre-admission through discharge. "At Alexandria, the team is committed to employing the most innovative care for its patients recovering from stroke,” Shilling added. “With the certification, the American Heart Association has armed the center with additional tools and recognized its success."

Located on the western bank of the Potomac River just south of Washington, D.C., Alexandria Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center is undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation and programming enhancement. Alexandria maintains accreditation from The Joint Commission and has a Five-Star Quality Measures rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. More information can be found at alexandriahc.com.

Learn more about the American Heart Association’s Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification at heart.org/CertifiedCare.

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.