The Dream
In Chattanooga, physical rehabilitation is synonymous with Mose and Garrison Siskin, philanthropic brothers who experienced tragedy in their lives and knew physical rehabilitation firsthand. They established the area's first outpatient physical rehabilitation facility in 1957, and later a preschool for children with special needs. But both men passed away before seeing their greatest dream fulfilled; a comprehensive physical rehabilitation hospital where the disabled could learn to live life to its fullest.
Our Beginnings
After a joint study by Erlanger Medical Center and Siskin Memorial Foundation determined the need for comprehensive physical rehabilitation care for the people of Chattanooga, the facility envisioned by the Siskin brothers boldly took shape.
In 1986, a separate corporation was established and a board was appointed to develop and operate the hospital. From an empty plot of land and the desk of one employee, current President and CEO Robert Main, the hospital's purpose and physical structure grew.
Facility
Our distinctive five-story steel exterior is a visible legacy of the Siskin brothers, but the interior of the facility is a thoughtful reflection of the unique needs of the physical rehabilitation patient and their family. Mahogany wood accents, warm colors and the generous dimensions of our halls, patient rooms, and treatment areas give patients the homelike environment and the space necessary for healing their bodies, minds and spirits. Each level of treatment, from inpatient care to workforce training, and each therapy specialty is housed in an area of the hospital designed to meet the particular needs of the patient.
Community Impact
From an initial plan for a 50-bed hospital to today's 109-bed facility, Siskin Hospital has expanded our levels of care and specialty services to provide for the physical rehabilitation needs of the growing and changing Chattanooga community and surrounding areas. Through our close ties to state and regional healthcare providers, we listen firsthand to physicians' concerns about care for their patients and initiate programs to meet their needs. With testing and treatment previously only offered in Nashville and Atlanta, we have answered the community's call for innovative, local rehabilitation services provided by dedicated, specially trained physical rehabilitation professionals.
Celebrations
Through employee recognition initiatives, patient activities, fundraisers, and physician and referral source appreciation events, we take time to celebrate those who impact our hospital most. Since our opening, we have participated in the National Rehabilitation Week Celebration, which is comprised of seven days of community education and outreach, as well as employee fundraisers for patients in need, luncheons and games. Our annual golf tournament is Chattanooga's premier golfing event and the "Possibilities" Luncheon is growing beyond our expectations. And with each year that passes, the hundreds of patients we serve give us more reasons to celebrate.
Culture
Second to our steadfast commitment to delivering the most comprehensive, caring treatment to our patients, is our belief in the strong power of laughter and teamwork, as tools of healing and encouragement. Consistent leadership by a team of open-door professionals and a customer service focus combine to create a working and healing environment distinguished by a personal approach and collaborative spirit. Our employees' sense of responsibility and community nurtures an environment where problem solving thrives and the phrase, "That's not my job," is erased from our vocabulary.
Future
As the Chattanooga area's only physical rehabilitation facility accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and as the state's only freestanding non-profit physical rehabilitation hospital, we have a reputation for pioneering, thoughtful expansion, and quality care. The foundation we have built on this legacy of caring, innovation, and growth makes us poised to succeed in the changing world of healthcare. We continually seek new ways to serve our healthcare community and the disabled population, in particular, and our vision for the future is based on our ongoing commitment to providing the innovative care necessary to return our patients to successful, rewarding lives.
