FEB.07'2002 14:53 559-459-2450 CMC CORPORATE ADMINISTRATION #7263 P.002/005
CHCC REHABILITATION SYSTEM
HISTORY OF LEON S. PETERS REHABILITATION CENTER
AND CHCC REHABILITATION SYSTEM
In 1970, Fresno Community Hospital completed plans for a multi-million
dollar, ten story addition to the original facility. Three floors of
this addition were earmarked to house a full service Rehabilitation
Center, later to be named the Leon S. Peters Rehabilitation Center.
The program began in early fall of 1971 on the 4-East general medical
floor with ten beds designated for rehabilitation.
In January 1972, the sixth floor of the new building was completed and
the rehabilitation nursing unit moved in and has remained there to this
day.
By the spring of 1972 a second Physiatrist was needed to assist Dr.
Kendall B. Holmes, the medical director. Soon after an outpatient
program was created on the second floor of the new building.
The inpatient program rapidly grew to occupy all of the 33 beds on 6
West, requiring the hiring staff in all rehabilitation fields.
During the period 1972 to 1975 Dr. Holmes began the rehabilitation
program at valley Medical Center and became it's full time medical
director. Dr. Holmes recruited two more physlatrists during this time.
one of which was Dr. John Kirby. This brought a total of four
physlatrists in the community by 1976, with three of them at FCH.
The I.SPRC continued to be the only rehabilitation center In the Valley.
The physicians began outclinics at Kaweah Delta Hospital in Visalia and
Merced Community Medical Center, Additionally, one physiatrist
routinely traveled to hospitals in Madera and hospitals in Bakersfield.
Through 1979 the inpatient program expanded onto 7 West. Two more
physlatrists came to Fresno, Drs. John Edwards and Joseph Capell.
From late 1979 to early 1961 an additional 15 beds were added to the
rehabilitation program on the 7th floor. A children's rehabilitation
service was started at the Learning Development Center, across the
street from the main entrance. An inpatient pain management program,
and a job station program was implemented through Vocational
Rehabilitation.
In early 1981 Dr. Nath was recruited. This completed a compliment of
three hospital based physicians and two 1n private practice,
