KENNETT SQUARE, Pa., Sept. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Genesis Rehab Services (GRS), a subsidiary of Genesis HealthCare and a leading provider of physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapy services, primarily for the older adult population, was honored by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a 2017 Health Care Innovator. Sarah Thomas, senior director of global innovation for GRS, accepted the award on the company’s behalf.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/430cbf23-624e-4253-9ff1-6a4780d0ce9f

Innovation has become a critical concept in healthcare, and particularly in the long-term care industry. In the emerging value-based care model, providers are incented to focus on patient outcomes rather than the volume of services delivered.  

According to Dan Hirschfeld, president of GRS, “We have always taken pride in our proven record of clinical outcomes, however it’s become clear that recent changes in the healthcare environment meant that we needed to seek innovative ways to respond.” As such, the company created a global innovation program in 2015 and hired Ms. Thomas, an occupational therapist, entrepreneur, and elder advocate, to lead it.

In addition to serving on Genesis Rehab Services’ executive leadership team, Ms. Thomas is uniquely positioned as an innovation fellow in Aging2.0, an organization that supports innovators taking on the biggest challenges and opportunities in aging. Ms. Thomas’ role enables her to keep a finger on the pulse of new or emerging cutting-edge medical technologies that are geared towards improving the lives of older adults, especially as healthcare makes the shift towards value-based care.
             
Ms. Thomas’ role also helps connect GRS with select start-up medical tech companies to advise the development, meaningful implementation, and adoption of digital health products in post-acute settings. “Health and aging tech companies are increasingly turning to Genesis Rehab Services for its clinical and industry expertise,” she states.  “The opportunities to advise these companies has the potential to help transform care delivery and sustain positive functional outcomes over time to enhance value.”

GRS recognizes that Aging2.0 and new and emerging technologies may present additional opportunities to improve many other areas of patient care, including care coordination, cognitive intervention, patient or family engagement, socialization, community integration, financial security, civic engagement, and access to resources.

The 2017 Health Care Innovator honorees were featured in a special section of the September 15 print edition of the Philadelphia Business Journal.

About Genesis Rehab Services
Genesis Rehab Services (GRS), a subsidiary of Genesis HealthCare (NYSE:GEN), is a leading provider of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, respiratory therapy and wellness services, primarily for the older adult population. As one of the largest and strongest rehab organizations in the country, GRS partners with skilled nursing centers, assisted living facilities, independent living facilities, hospitals, home health companies, adult day care programs and outpatient clinics to provide comprehensive therapy services. GRS currently operates and staffs rehab gyms in 46 states and the District of Columbia.  For more information about Genesis Rehab Services, visit www.genesisrehab.com. For more information about Genesis HealthCare, visit www.genesishcc.com.

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