CENTER AT GRANDE Chief Executive Officer Craig Corriston and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ken Kaminski of Azalea Orthopedics, who is among those who will refer patients to the center, cut the ribbon at Thursday's grand opening.

The Center at Grande, Tyler’s newest short-term rehabilitation center, opened its doors to the public with a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting Thursday.

Hundreds of East Texans, many of whom are area health care professionals, attended the event at the new facility at 3219 E. Grande Blvd., getting tours of the center.

The Center serves patients who have had a recent hospital stay and want to continue to recover in a comfortable and safe environment and is now accepting patient referrals from hospitals and treatment facilities across East Texas.

“It’s very unique; there’s nothing like it in East Texas. We’re very excited for the community to see what we have to offer,” the Center at Grande Marketing Director Tina Hodges said.

The Center is licensed as a skilled nursing facility with the same level of credentialing as a long-term residential care facility. The difference is its focus on providing short-term care to help patients regain strength, mobility and independence after injuries and surgeries and then return home.

Thursday’s grand opening celebration featured a Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting with Center at Grande Chief Executive Officer Craig Corriston and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ken Kaminski of Azalea Orthopedics, who is among those who will refer patients to the center.

“We are incredibly excited this facility is here,” Kaminski said. “Having been in Tyler for over six years, I’ve had the opportunity to send patients to (rehab) facilities. This is a new opportunity to allow physicians to be integrated with the care that occurs after a surgery or stroke or an infection and really make it seamless with the quality that we expect from the top to bottom.

“We are really excited that this finally got to Tyler. It’s one of the first like it in Texas.”

Therapists at the Center pay particular attention to helping patients navigate environments and scenarios similar to what they will encounter at home without the risk of further injury.

The facility includes a special therapy area that resembles an apartment and is equipped with furniture and appliances to help patients practice routine tasks such as getting out of bed, showering, getting dressed, washing dishes, doing laundry and more.

“We here at the Center at Grande are very excited and feel very blessed to be able to offer the community short-term rehabilitation in such a state-of the-art facility,” said Celia Carmona, director of rehabilitation services. “Our rehabilitation program focuses on getting our patients home as independently and safely as possibly, so we are beyond thrilled to get started.”

The Center at Grande also features a variety of creature comforts, such as a selective menu, beauty salon, outside courtyard, private rooms with internet access and a calendar of social activities.

For information about the Center at Grande, visit www.centeratgrande.com.