UofL, Kosair for Kids partner to transform spinal injury recovery for children

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A facility in Louisville for children recovering from spinal cord injuries is expanding.

The University of Louisville and Kosair for Kids plan to dramatically expand capacity and improve services provided through the Kosair for Kids Center for Pediatric NeuroRecovery, according to a news release. The project is supported by a $1 million grant from Kosair for Kids.

The funding will allow for the fourth floor of UofL Health - Frazier Rehab Institute to be renovated, which will turn into a 12,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art space that consolidates all therapy, research and clinical services for the center.

The expansion will enhance research collaboration, improve patient care and increase treatment capacity by 50%. The renovated space will be able to accommodate up to 24 children per day to receive life-changing therapies, according to a news release.

"Our mission is to not only provide the best care for children affected by spinal cord injuries but to push the boundaries of what is possible for their recovery," Dr. Andrea Behrman, director of the center and professor in the UofL Department of Neurological Surgery, said in the release. "Thanks to the unwavering support of Kosair for Kids, we will now have a facility designed specifically for this groundbreaking work, enabling us to reach more children and provide even better outcomes."

UofL's pediatric neuro-recovery program started by serving one child per day to 16, and has more than 21 daily visits for occupational and physical therapy. But the program has outgrown its existing facilities that are scattered around multiple floors within Frazier Rehab Institute.

According to a news release, the expansion also received federal support and philanthropic generosity. Kentucky Congressman Morgan McGarvey and former Congressman John Yarmuth championed a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant that provided $2 million toward the project.

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