National rehab expert and community health system offer local care and advanced treatment
Starting January 2026, patients across the central Illinois region will have greater access to elevated inpatient rehabilitation services right in their own communities. The Carle Health system and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation are partnering together to enhance patient outcomes and the inpatient rehab experience in central Illinois. As the need for high-quality rehab services continues to rise, this collaboration will bring more patients healing through innovative technologies, modern treatment options and the community care with team members that patients trust.
Patients will continue to experience the compassionate and individualized care they expect from Carle Health providers and team members with the world-class specialty experience in rehabilitation services of Mary Free Bed. This will be a first-of-its-kind collaboration in central Illinois, bringing the two non-profit healthcare providers together to serve more community members. The partnership includes three locations: Carle Foundation Hospital, Carle BroMenn Medical Center and Carle Health Proctor Hospital.
“As part of our commitment to serving the region with high-quality healthcare, this is the first step toward our vision to expand inpatient rehab services to meet the growing need,” James C. Leonard, MD, Carle Health president and chief executive officer said. “Partnering with Mary Free Bed allows the patients we serve to continue to see the providers they know and trust while bringing advanced knowledge and proven care models to support a better experience for everyone.”
With more than 130 years of specialized expertise, their patient-centered approach to care aligns seamlessly with Carle Health’s mission to advance collaborative efforts that improve health outcomes.
“Partnerships work best when they’re rooted in shared values,” said Kent Riddle, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation president and chief executive officer. “By joining forces with Carle Health, we’re ensuring patients receive compassionate and expert rehabilitative care that provides patients with hope and freedom for their future.”
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is a not-for-profit, internationally accredited and nationally recognized leader in rehabilitation. Mary Free Bed was founded by a group of women who were passionate about making health care available to more people in their community. That effort has changed countless lives and has evolved into the extensive Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation System, which provides care in more than three dozen hospitals across Michigan, Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia and now central Illinois. With more than 110 specialized medical and sports rehabilitation programs and an exclusive focus on rehabilitation, our specialized teams help patients achieve extraordinary clinical results. U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek rate Mary Free Bed as a national Best Rehabilitation Hospital for 2025.
Together, Carle Health and Mary Free Bed will continue to invest in the resources, expertise and technology to respond to the evolving community needs. Through this work, the community can expect more comprehensive healing and transformative health outcomes for years to come.
