Select Specialty Hospital - Charleston

10/28/2025

The team at Select Specialty Hospital – Orlando Central celebrated the ribbon cutting today for a new 31-bed critical illness recovery hospital with a 32-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit at 7450 Sand Lake Commons Boulevard in Orlando. The hospital features a continuum of care to help patients recovering from catastrophic illness or injury, offering both recovery and rehabilitative care in one convenient location.

Pictured from left to right: Select Specialty Hospital - Orlando Central Medical Director Dr. Sandhya Meesala; Select Specialty Hospital - Orlando Central Director of Business Development Angie Thompson; Select Specialty Hospital - Orlando Central CNO Miriam Olaciregui; Select Specialty Hospital - Orlando Central CEO Nelly Castroman; Select Medical Regional Vice President Jeff Alexander; Select Specialty Hospital - Orlando Central Medical Director Dr. Pradeep Vangala; Select Specialty Hospital - Orlando Central Associate Medical Director Mahmood Ali.

10/23/2025

Each of our specialty hospitals operates an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP), a coordinated effort between our pharmacy team, clinicians, environmental services and infection preventionists to stop the spread of infections caused by drug-resistant diseases. Our pharmacies ensure the safety and care of our patients and staff by managing and assessing all anti-microbial regimens.

10/22/2025

One year ago, Lauren Riemer was fighting for life, the result of complications from a rare and serious autoimmune disease. Lauren, then 32 and newly married, spent five months in five hospitals. For weeks, she was on two types of life support. When Lauren finally stabilized, she transitioned to Select Specialty Hospital - Milwaukee - West Allis for extended healing. Lauren arrived unable to breathe, eat, talk and walk but it didn’t take long for the Wisconsin woman to begin achieving those milestones – and many more.

Read Lauren's story here: https://bit.ly/4qlYWXt

10/22/2025

From fielding the first call about a new hospital location to welcoming the first patient through the door, our design, construction and facilities teams can be counted on to help create a healing environment.

Our design and construction teams oversee all hospital building projects—ensuring safety and efficiency in the engineering and ex*****on of plans. Once constructed, hospitals are turned over to our facilities teams who oversee day-to-day operations, including the physical building infrastructure, air quality and maintenance of all medical equipment.

Working together, these professionals contribute to a safe, comfortable and accessible setting for our patients, visitors and staff.

10/21/2025

When patients face the obstacles presented by a critical illness, respiratory therapists play an essential role in restoring comfort and quality of life. Their collaboration with other rehabilitation specialists ensures patients receive the most comprehensive care possible.

“Every injury is unique and can involve significant challenges,” says Lori Vessell, respiratory manager at Select Specialty Hospital – St. Louis. “As respiratory therapists, we work closely with physical and occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists to develop a well-rounded approach to each patient. We mobilize patients being supported by the ventilator to prevent wound development and can give them back their voice by attaching a speaking valve, alleviating fear and anxiety.”

As part of our critical care teams, respiratory therapists help give patients the best possible chance to move forward in recovery.

10/20/2025

Across our nationwide network of hospitals, infection preventionists work closely with our our health care facility teams and patients to implement needed steps to block infections and prevent them from spreading.

Strategies include water and air quality testing, remote surveillance for infection prevention, enforced personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and sanitation protocols for infection control.

During Health Care Quality Week, we recognize our infection preventionists for the key role they play in the safety and well-being of our patients, staff and the communities they serve.

10/19/2025

Our pharmacists and pharmacy technicians strive to administer the lowest effective dose of pain medication while ensuring that patients can participate in necessary activities. They coordinate these efforts alongside our multidisciplinary team as they discuss the needs of patients.

Each patient’s pain management is evaluated during clinical team meetings and multidisciplinary rounds to ensure adequate pain control. The team strives to balance pain management, cognitive function and therapy participation with the goal of minimizing medication dependence and enhancing patient outcomes.

10/17/2025

Physical therapy treats impairment and functional limitation through exercises, stretches and movements. Physical therapists are highly skilled medical professionals who diagnose and help individuals recover their health and get back to life.

10/15/2025

When a patient is admitted to one of our specialty hospitals, a case manager is present to help coordinate care while guiding families and caregivers throughout the recovery journey. Serving as a central point of communication, case managers support patients as they transition to the next level of care or when preparing to discharge.

10/13/2025

One of the case manager’s key responsibilities is looking around corners—determining a patient’s medical and social service needs after they leave the hospital. Our case managers coordinate meetings with patients, their families and the clinical team, explaining the various levels of care and verbally reviewing what to expect. Additionally, case managers can assist with ordering medical equipment that the patient needs for their return home.

10/01/2025

It’s National Physical Therapy Month. Our theme throughout October is, “Your future is better with PT!” We will highlight how physical therapy can lead to a better, stronger tomorrow.

Our physical therapists are here to guide patients through every step of recovery, from hospital to home. For our patients, that means helping them return to the moments that matter. For our physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, it means making a difference and helping people move forward.

Join us throughout the month as we highlight the power of physical therapy.

09/27/2025

Michael Scott has a lot of faith in physical therapists. And he has a lot of faith in himself. When a motorcycle crash paralyzed his legs, it didn’t take long for the 29-year-old to move from acceptance to adapting to and overcoming his spinal cord injury. A physician-led team of physical, occupational and recreational therapists from HonorHealth Rehabilitation Hospital were there to help, with innovative technology and helping him develop strategies for everyday tasks like dressing himself.

To learn more about Select Medical’s network of hospitals, visit: https://www.selectmedical.com/about-us/

Lying in his hospital bed moments after a doctor gave him some of the worst news of his life, Michael Scott found solace.

07/31/2025

A coal miner in Boone County, West Virginia, Chase Treadway, 24, spent his days working, riding motorcycles, playing video games and enjoying time with family and friends. But a motorcycle accident upended his world. Doctors surgically amputated his severely damaged left leg and addressed multiple internal injuries and broken bones. Once he stabilized, Chase knew he had a long road ahead but was ready for his next step. For that, he and his family chose Select Specialty Hospital – Charleston.

Read his story: https://bit.ly/40JDT6j

03/26/2025

Hope Saylor, 59, was at home when sudden, intense pain struck. The mother of three experienced a flare-up of her COPD symptoms. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors discovered an abscess in her stomach. Two surgeries, three infections and two rounds on a ventilator left Hope in need of specialized care. She chose Select Specialty Hospital – Charleston.

Read Hope's story: https://bit.ly/4c2G5dm

03/17/2025

During open-heart surgery, Selena Compton had a stroke causing damage to her brain. After six weeks of life-saving treatment, Selena stabilized but needed specialized care for extended recovery. She and her family decided on Select Specialty Hospital – Charleston.

Read her story:
https://bit.ly/41FXJz4

03/05/2025

Jason Huff knew he needed help. After experiencing shortness of breath and not feeling right for a week, the 44-year-old outdoorsman headed to an emergency room. Tests revealed Jason had multiple serious infections. Three weeks later, Jason’s condition was stable but “I was unable to breathe on my own, eat, dress myself, bathe myself or walk,” he said. He transitioned to Select Specialty Hospital – Charleston to continue his road to recovery.

Read Jason's story here: https://bit.ly/4hY3TBj

02/27/2025

Former coal miner Edward Mullins nearly lost his life to a brain abscess and pneumonia. The team at CAMC General Hospital stabilized Edward’s condition, and the team at Select Specialty Hospital – Charleston helped him regain strength and his ability to walk, talk and eat. Edward is back home and living independently again. His advice to others facing a health crisis: Don’t lose hope in difficult situations.

Read Edward's story here: https://bit.ly/41zO3Hu

02/13/2025

Lisa Lacy, a 54-year-old grandmother and part-time research associate from Boone County, leads an active outdoor lifestyle. After facing acute respiratory failure, Lisa's journey back to independence was daunting. Read about her healing journey at Select Specialty Hospital – Charleston and her return to the people and activities she loves.

Read Lisa's story here: https://tinyurl.com/4k2m4884

11/08/2024

A nurse by trade, Jessica Hopson, 45, would rather care for patients than be one. But after surgery to repair a herniated desk left Jessica with a serious bone infection, she needed continuing care for intravenous antibiotics, wound care and therapy. Jessica chosen Select Specialty Hospital – Charleston, where a physician-led, interdisciplinary team helped Jessica heal and regain the strength she needed to make it back home.

Read Jessica's story here: https://bit.ly/3ABodrQ

09/19/2024

Complications from liver cirrhosis resulted in a hospital stay that left Cathy Taylor incredibly weak and confused. Unable to breathe, move or care for herself without assistance, Cathy’s family transferred her to Select Specialty Hospital – Charleston. There, a physician-led interdisciplinary team of nurses, therapists and clinical staff helped Cathy regain the strength and independence to return home.

Read Cathy's story here: https://bit.ly/4dbjdaI

03/20/2024

Shelba Wickline began experiencing severe stomach problems resulting in decreased appetite and excruciating pain. After being life-flighted to Charleston Area Medical Center where she received a diagnosis of intestinal obstruction, she underwent emergency surgery. It was a success, but Shelba soon found it difficult to breathe and went into acute respiratory failure. She had to be placed on a ventilator. Once stable, Shelba was transferred to Select Specialty Hospital - Charleston for the specialized care she would need to regain her independence.

Read Shelba's full story: https://bit.ly/3VqW4eT

03/01/2024

March is Brain Injury Awareness month. According to the Brain Injury Association of America, someone in the United States sustains a brain injury every nine seconds. A brain injury can affect how a person thinks, acts and feels.

Brain injuries can result from an outside force to the head, known as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), or an internal cause – known as a non-traumatic brain injury (NTBI).

Learn more about the difference between a TBI and NTBI below, and check back throughout the month as we spotlight brain injury and how we help people recover.