Inpatient Rehabilitation

State-of-the-Art Rehab Facility in Cape Girardeau

As the leading inpatient rehabilitation facility in the region, Saint Francis’ state-of-the-art, 24-bed unit (23 bed facility with a transition to home apartment) offers comprehensive and coordinated programs in one convenient location for patients with cognitive, physical and functional deficits.

Our goal is to enhance every patient’s quality of life through improved health maintenance and effective injury and illness management. Our highly trained staff provide some of the most advanced approaches to rehabilitation. Together the team and patient establish individualized goals for the best treatment progression as each patient works toward achieving an optimal level of independence and improved health.

Our program significantly exceeds regional and national outcomes for returning patients back to their community. Our rehabilitation program averages 90% discharge to community, compared to regional and national averages of 75% and 77%, respectively.

Inpatient Rehab Discharge to Community

Managed Conditions

  • Amputation
  • Autoimmune Diseases
  • Brain Tumor
  • Cardiac Injury including Open Heart
  • Critical Myopathy (ie COVID-19)
  • Guillian Barre Syndrome
  • Major Medical
  • Medically Complex Joint Replacements
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Multiple Trauma
  • Stroke
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Spinal Cord Injury

Services Available

  • Physical Therapy
    Improves mobility and strength
  • Occupational Therapy
    Increases independence and quality of life related issues
  • Speech / Language Pathology
    Covers a range of deficits including language, cognition, swallowing and voice
  • Rehabilitation Nursing
    Improves bowel and bladder management, medication management, wound care and patient education
  • Case Management
    Coordinates discharge planning and equipment acquisition
  • Pastoral Care
    Provides spiritual and emotional support as well as stress reduction
  • Neuropsychology
    Helps to develop coping skills and establish appropriate expectations and modification of lifestyle in accordance with patients’ new physical limitations.
  • Dietitians
    Establish guidelines with patients to follow regarding disease specific management of food intake
  • Respiratory Therapists
    Help patients counter conditions that affect breathing and provide education to assist them in dealing with chronic disease when they return home.

Specialty Services Covered

Physical and Occupational Therapy

  • Bioness
  • Overhead Lift and LiteGait System
  • Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)
  • Vestibular Rehabilitation
  • Prosthetics and Orthotics
  • Lymphedema Management
  • Custom Upper Extremity Splinting
  • Wound Care and Management

Speech/Language Pathology

  • VitalStim Therapy
  • Fiberendoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
  • Modified Barium Swallows (MBS)
  • Deep Pharyngeal Neuromuscular Stimulation (DPNS)

Inpatient Rehabilitation Medical Director

Board certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician Heidi J. Hunter, MD, is the full-time medical director for Inpatient Rehabilitation. Dr. Hunter is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Medical school, and served as Chief Resident at Ohio State University Medical Center. Her clinical interests include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and stroke patients.

For more information on Inpatient Rehabilitation Services, call 573-331-5980.

Reviews for Inpatient Rehabilitation

Cynthia Rigdon

Dr. Hunter listens well & understands the issues I have from my concussion. That means so much. Attempting to do things to make my brain work better!

Michael Ayres

Outstanding provider, brilliant, caring, excellent focused care! She listens, helps, and provides hope! Great person as well!

Linda Murawsky

All of the staff are courteous and friendly. Dr. Heidi Hunter is phenomenal. She has helped me so very much since my injury...and I truly thought I'd never be able to get back to a normal life...

toni cartwright

The office staff are always courteous, professional and efficient. My primary Physician is a five star +. She is truly dedicated to her patients and their families to help them improve in any way possible. I do not know where I would be right now without Dr Hunter. She is very knowledgeable and dedicated to her field. She always spends the extra time with her patients to ensure they are on the right track. She also offers referrals to other physicians and therapists to allow the best outcome for her patients. I would highly recommend this entire group for anyone suffering with any kind of chronic Neuro difficulties/condition. This group provides exceptional care to their patients. A five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ practice!

Sharon Tuschhoff

Dr Heidi Hunter is an awesome Dr with a personality to make you feel relaxed with your problems, no matter how serious and will listen and explain in plain words!! She's amazing!!

Gary Adams

Awesome Doctor I’m glad to let everyone know she’s a wonderful person and doctor

William Laird

I just don't trust anybody else in town. Donald and his team are top notch. Everyone there works with you and for you. Couldn't ask for a better environment.