Grand Rapids, Mich. is set to become home to the state's first children's rehabilitation hospital, thanks to a hefty $3 million donation from retail giant Meijer. The Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, a $70 million project, is a collaboration between Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, as reported by WOODTV.com.
The freestanding hospital is designed to be a healing haven with 24 private inpatient rooms, state-of-the-art technology geared toward children, and spaces for specialized treatments. Meijer President & CEO Rick Keyes expressed the company's pride in supporting the facility, "We’re thrilled to be able to help Mary Free Bed and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital create the first children’s rehabilitation hospital in Michigan and provide support to families in times of need," he told MLive.
Set to open in 2026, the Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital is expected to have a profound impact on its young patients. The institution will focus on children suffering from brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, cancer, trauma, and other serious health issues, according to 13 ON YOUR SIDE. The hospital's importance cannot be understated; it will provide a new beacon of hope for families, serving 2,000 to 2,500 additional children annually and increasing outpatient capacity by 20%.
Mary Free Bed CEO Kent Riddle spoke on the future of the institution, "This donation will uplift families, empower communities, and make a lasting impact for thousands of children for generations to come," he said in a statement acquired by MLive. The hospital is named for Joan Secchia, widow of the former ambassador to Italy and philanthropist Peter Secchia, although the amount of her contribution has not been disclosed. With the Meijer donation, Mary Free Bed has raised $50 million toward the project, which includes private donations and funding from state and federal sources.
Alejandro Quiroga, president of Corewell Health in West Michigan, also acknowledged Meijer's significant role in realizing the project. "The $3 million gift will help our organizations continue our important missions and make positive impacts in our community," he said, noting the extensive benefits that the well-equipped facility will bring to pediatric patients in the region. Groundbreaking for this important endeavor is anticipated this year, bridging the gap between necessity and care for Michigan's children.
