2024-2025 U.S. News & World Report Names Jackson Health System facility among best hospitals
Lynn Rehabilitation Center was recognized for five procedures and/or conditions
MIAMI, FL. – For the second year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has named Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at UHealth/Jackson Memorial as one of the best rehabilitation hospitals in the nation. Lynn Rehabilitation Center ranked 31 in rehabilitation in the 2024-2025 edition of the Best Hospitals report, jumping 14 spots since 2023. Additionally, Lynn Rehabilitation Center was named as a high performing hospital for back surgery (spinal fusion), heart attack, hip fracture, kidney failure, and stroke. This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.
U.S. News evaluated 1,049 rehab hospitals, and ranked the top 50 for their care of patients recovering from events like stroke, traumatic brain injuries, and severe burns. Hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors like clinical outcomes, level of nursing care, and patient experience. The annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their healthcare providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures.
“We are so proud to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report for a second year in a row, only four years after the launch of our brand-new Lynn Rehabilitation Center facility,” said Brenda Cain, vice president and chief executive officer of rehabilitation services at Lynn Rehabilitation Center. “With the help of our multi-disciplinary team of therapists and nurses at Lynn Rehabilitation Center, University of Miami physicians and surgeons, and researchers at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, we work tirelessly to ensure our patients recover from both elective surgeries and complex injuries so they can return to the life they loved.”
Lynn Rehabilitation Center ranked in the top three percent of rehabilitation hospitals nationally, highlighting its disciplines in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and recreation therapy to treat patients recovering from spinal cord injuries, stroke, heart attacks, and more. Jackson Health System’s cutting-edge rehabilitation center is dedicated to excellent patient care, harnessing advanced technologies and innovative therapies. This includes ZeroG Gait Trainers that assist patients with walking, balancing, stair climbing, and sit-to-stand exercises; a HydroWorx pool for aquatic therapy; electrical nerve stimulation; robotic therapy; adaptive simulators and equipment; and more.
“Our goal at Lynn Rehabilitation Center is to help patients regain their independence after a significant injury or life-threatening illness, and our exceptional patient outcomes are a testament to that commitment,” said Carlos A. Migoya, Jackson Health System’s president and CEO. “This national recognition reflects the expertise, dedication, and compassion of our entire team, and we are immensely proud of the work they do.”
Doug Allen, 69
One evening, Doug Allen, 69, felt pain in his chest. When he tried to stand, his legs gave out. As Emergency Medical Services transported Doug to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson South, his heart stopped. By the time he arrived at Ryder Trauma, his heart started beating again. However, he suffered another cardiac arrest while being treated by Ryder Trauma staff.
The emergency team made sure Doug was responsive, and then diagnosed him with an aortic dissection, a tear in the inner layer of the aorta – the main artery that delivers blood from the heart to the body. He was then rushed to the catheterization lab for an emergency stent insertion to repair the tear. Because of the aortic dissection, he also suffered from a spinal stroke. It caused Doug to lose all function in his spinal cord nerves, which led to the loss of feeling in his legs.
After the procedure and recovery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Doug was transferred to Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at UHealth/Jackson Memorial. When he first arrived at Lynn Rehabilitation Center, Doug was suffering from a non-traumatic spinal cord injury and partial paralysis. He had foot drop, which made it difficult for him to lift the front part of his foot, and required total assistance to do things like getting in and out of bed and using the bathroom. However, after just one week of physical and occupational therapy, Doug improved, using the ZeroG and Rifton machines to help support his weight while he attempted to walk. Once his standing stability, balance, and strength improved, the team at Lynn Rehabilitation Center transitioned Doug to a rolling walker, and trained him to walk with an ankle brace to prevent his toes from dragging while he walked.
After two weeks of hard work at Lynn Rehabilitation Center, Doug progressed from taking short walks to tolerating longer distances with less assistance. He also reached a major milestone – just one day before discharge, Doug climbed up and down 22 steps – a task that was nearly impossible for him to do.
“Everyone was so professional and inspiring,” he said. “They made you feel like you could talk to them and trust them – it was excellent care the entire time.”
