Jun 16, 2023

Great Plains Health Care Foundation announces fundraising campaign for pediatric rehab and therapy space

Posted Jun 16, 2023 5:00 PM

North Platte, Neb., June 16, 2023 – The Great Plains Health Care Foundation is  pleased to share that fundraising efforts are now underway for a designated pediatric  rehab and therapy space. The space will be one part of the new Great Plains Health  Sports & Therapy and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Center, set to begin construction in  fall 2023. 

"Having an area geared to pediatrics will allow us to optimize our therapy sessions. A  dedicated pediatric space will allow us to be 'more' for our patients – more creative,  more adventurous and more play based," said Melissa Harmon, MS/CCC, SLP-L, Great  Plains Health lead speech pathologist. 

This space encourages play, creativity and participation designed around the patients it  serves. Whether a child needs speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy  or all three types of therapy, a designated area provides children with a space that is  unique to their developmental journeys. 

"Many of the pediatric patients in our area require two, or all three services, and being  able to provide those services in a dedicated pediatric wing will allow us to collaborate  and plan more efficiently to better serve our pediatric patients,” said Kristin Vyhnalek,  MSPT, Great Plains Health pediatric physical therapist. 

The space accommodates a broad range of pediatric health diagnoses, including  broken bones, cerebral palsy, Autism, genetic disorders, general developmental delay  and more. 

The space features: 

∙ More privacy and less distractions  

∙ Separate spaces for speech and feeding therapies  

∙ Pediatric-sized equipment  

∙ Child friendly environment  

∙ Sensory therapy spaces

“We recognize the outstanding work that our therapists provide for kids already, and are  so excited to provide a space that allows them to offer the very best for our pediatric  patients,” said Megan McGown, Great Plains Health chief development officer and  Foundation director. “Our goal is to support the pediatric space with a $500,000 gift from  the Foundation, and we know our generous donors will help make it possible.” 

To learn more about the project or to make a gift, visit gphealth.org/give. With  questions, please contact Megan McGown, Great Plains Health chief development  officer and Foundation director, at 308.568.7498 or [email protected].