Man being assisted with physical therapy

Where you choose for rehabilitation following a stroke, brain injury, cancer, limb loss, spinal cord injury or other medical condition is an important step toward your recovery. We help patients focus on their abilities rather than on their disabilities. The continuity of care provided throughout the recovery process creates a solid foundation for independence. Before you are discharged, we will arrange for ongoing medical care or outpatient therapy if you need it. Your referring doctor will supervise any ongoing medical care.

Providence Acute Rehabilitation Center, or PARC, is an all private room physical medicine and rehabilitation unit located on the campus of Providence Portland Medical Center and is part of Providence Brain and Spine Institute.

Our physician-led team of physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, care managers, 24/7 rehabilitation nurses, medical consultants and services - is dedicated to helping each patient recover functional ability to return home.

At Providence Acute Rehabilitation Center, doctors and a highly skilled team of nurses and therapists strive together to help patients regain quality of life after a life-altering medical event. We offer specialized therapy for patients recovering from:

  • Amputation
  • Catastrophic illness
  • Congenital disorders
  • Head injury
  • Multiple trauma
  • Neurological conditions
  • Orthopedic conditions, including joint replacement
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Stroke

Through effective therapy and compassionate care, PARC helps patients:

  • Achieve maximum physical, cognitive, language and psychosocial skills
  • Improve functional skills
  • Regain self-confidence

Recovery from serious illness or injury often requires intensive physical, occupational or speech therapy. Once a patient is discharged from the hospital, this level of therapy may best take place in an inpatient rehabilitation unit, such as Providence Acute Rehabilitation Center (PARC).

Patients may be admitted to PARC following referral by their primary care physician and an eligibility evaluation by a PARC physiatrist. We care for patients who have functional limitations in two or more of these areas:

  • Bowel and bladder continence
  • Cognitive-perceptual functions
  • Mobility
  • Pain management
  • Personal care activities

Other factors affecting eligibility include your medical stability, level of functional skills, and ability to participate in and benefit from three hours of therapy daily.

PARC admission may be right for you when:

  • Your illness or injury has caused loss of function and you can't safely return home
  • Your condition allows you to improve through daily rehabilitation treatments to return home or to the community
  • Care from a rehabilitation doctor is required several times each week to improve body functions, guard against complications or control pain.

Ask your provider to refer you for PARC admission. For telephone referrals or questions give us a call. 

Teamwork is key to successful recovery. At PARC, patients are at the center of the team. With their doctors’ guidance, patients set goals for recovery. We understand that families and patients are often concerned about changes in lifestyle, roles and responsibilities that can result from major medical events. We will help your family prepare for your homecoming. We will also teach your family how to care for you while respecting your independence and dignity.

The referring doctor and a physiatrist (a doctor specially trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation) oversee each patient’s therapy. In one-on-one therapy and group sessions, the PARC staff helps patients achieve their goals.

The PARC staff includes:

  • Physiatrist: a physician trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation who oversees your care at PARC
  • Rehabilitation nurses: nurses who are specially trained to help people with chronic illnesses and disabilities regain maximum function
  • Occupational therapist (OT): works to help you regain independence in everyday activities
  • Physical therapist (PT): helps you restore and maintain maximum movement and function
  • Speech language pathologist (SLP): evaluates and treats cognitive, speech and swallowing disorders
  • Dietitian: helps with meal planning to meet your specific health and medical needs
  • Orthotist: helps make and fit orthotics, prostheses and other bracing devices
  • Psychologist: supports your emotional wellbeing
  • Acute care manager: assists with your plans to return to your community
  • Chaplain: offers spiritual support
Please note that due current COVID restrictions, group therapy is currently on hold.

Group classes offered:

  • Pain management
  • Fall prevention
  • Stroke education
  • Community integration
  • Mindfulness

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At Providence, you'll have access to a vast network of dedicated and compassionate providers who offer personalized care by focusing on treatment, prevention and health education.

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Providence Brain and Spine Institute of Oregon

The Providence Brain and Spine Institute is a comprehensive, integrated center of excellence that treats all conditions of the brain and spine. We are the leading provider of neurological care in Oregon committed to making a positive difference in every life we touch. Our patients are at the center of everything we do. See a complete list of conditions we treat and learn more about the care we offer.