Woodbine Celebrates Opening of In-Facility Dialysis Unit

Woodbine Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Alexandria this month celebrated the opening of its new, in-facility Dialysis Unit. The skilled nursing center’s state-of-the-art, nine-chair dialysis unit has the capability to treat patients who are ventilator and tracheostomy dependent; it is the first of its kind in the local market.

Leadership of Woodbine and Marquis Health Consulting Services, which supports Woodbine, were joined by local community leaders, care team members and healthcare colleagues at the recent grand opening celebration for the Dialysis Unit. “Woodbine is the first skilled nursing center in Alexandria to open an in-facility dialysis unit with the capability to treat vent and trach patients,” said Marquis’ Megan Shilling, regional director of market development.

According to Shilling, these specializations have been an ask from Woodbine’s hospital partners for some time. “The center is pleased to meet that healthcare demand as it continues to build on its next-level skilled nursing offerings,” she added.

Woodbine’s in-facility Dialysis Unit operates in partnership with Nova Dialysis, an affiliate of Advanced Dialysis Center LLC, which has been providing high-quality, compassionate kidney care and dialysis for two decades. Nova Dialysis Chief Medical Officer Dr. Inder Rana is working closely with the Woodbine team.

The new Dialysis Unit complements Woodbine’s chronic kidney disease (CKD) management program, which is under the leadership of nephrologist V. Bala Subramanian, MD. The program provides specialized care and services to patients with CKD and related diagnoses, aiming to preserve kidney function and prevent further decline.

"Woodbine is experienced with challenging cases and ready to provide this high level of care as an addition to our existing specialty programs," said Donna Shaw, Woodbine’s administrator. "Our team members learn, train and refresh their knowledge with our dedicated Nurse Educator and a rigorous schedule of skills review. Just as we have been a leader in respiratory care in Alexandria for over 30 years, we intend to be a leader in CKD management for many years to come."

As Woodbine marks the renovation milestone of opening its Dialysis Unit, Shilling and Shaw gave special thanks to Dr. Rana, Dr. Subramanian, Woodbine Medical Director Dr. Manny Silis, Director of Nursing Florence Debra and the Marquis Health Services leadership team. “Their assistance helped bring this unit to life,” Shilling said.

Shaw added, “The community has been asking Woodbine to build a dialysis unit for many, many years. Thanks to Marquis Health Consulting Services, we have been able to respond with ‘yes we can!’ Without their resources and support, it would not have happened.”

Woodbine’s reputation for quality is well established. The Virginia Health Care Association recently named Shaw as Administrator of the Year, and the facility has been named among America’s Best Nursing Homes 2025 by Newsweek. The center, which is in the midst of a multi-million-dollar renovation, maintains a Five-Star Overall rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as well as accreditation for its quality care and services from The Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare. Previously, Woodbine was selected as Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Best in Business – Large Business of the Year.

Located at 2729 King St., Woodbine provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care; it has Virginia’s largest licensed skilled nursing capacity. More information on the center and its programming can be found at woodbinerehab.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.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured at Woodbine’s recent Dialysis Unit ribbon cutting are (L-R) Interim Alexandria Police Chief Raul Pedro and Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey; Tony Curry and Joe Haggerty of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce; Woodbine’s Florence Debra and Donna Shaw; Terri Jenkins of Advanced Dialysis Center LLC; Marquis Health Consulting Services’ Michael Smith, Jennifer Hertzog and Megan Shilling; and Anner Terri-Mock of Inova Alexandria Hospital