Mount Holly Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Lumberton is the first skilled nursing facility in the United States to earn the Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification offered by the American Heart Association, according to a Thursday announcement from Marquis Health Consulting Services, which supports the center.
Located at 62 Richmond Avenue, Mount Holly Center provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care.
Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the U.S. and approximately 795,000 people each year experience a new or recurrent stroke, according to the Association’s 2024 statistical update. This certification provides a framework for evaluating skilled nursing facilities against rigorous science-based requirements for stroke rehabilitation, including program management, patient and caregiver education and support, care coordination, clinical management and quality improvement.
Mount Holly’s Stroke Recovery Program is the first specialized subacute care offering of its kind for the region. Under the direction of Dr. Tracey Harris, stroke rehabilitation services are tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of an individual, dependent on how they have been impacted by a stroke. The program aims to help restore physical function and the ability to perform daily activities, gain strength and endurance, improve balance and mobility, manage pain and spasticity, overcome speech and communication deficits, and develop new cognitive strategies.
“When there are evidence-based processes during every phase of care, patients have the best opportunity for positive outcomes,” Pamela Duncan, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association’s Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification Oversight Workgroup said. “Participation in this certification benefits the patient and the facility by standardizing care, helping patients and their loved ones choose a facility that follows important best practices.”
Mount Holly’s multidisciplinary services include physical, occupational and speech therapies. The center’s therapy gym features state-of-the-art equipment and technology to support the unique needs of stroke survivors, including the LiteGait® support system and Synchrony Dysphagia Solutions by ACP®, among others.
Board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Dr. Harris has more than 30 years of medical experience. She is affiliated with Virtua Medical Group.
