Inpatient
Restoring Hope and Freedom
At Mary Free Bed Kids, we believe recovery for children isn’t just about healing after illness or injury — it’s about giving each child the best possible chance at a full, meaningful life. Our inpatient program offers children with complex medical conditions a safe, nurturing, and specialized environment where rehabilitation is delivered by an expert pediatric team dedicated to kids’ unique needs.
Why Choose Inpatient Rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed Kids
Mary Free Bed Kids operates the only secure-access inpatient rehabilitation unit for children and adolescents in Michigan. Our inpatient unit is certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for Pediatric Specialty Accreditation — a recognition that we meet high standards for family-centered, developmentally appropriate care.
From the moment your child arrives, they’re surrounded by a team that truly understands kids: pediatric physicians, therapists, nurses and support staff who know that children’s rehabilitation needs are different from adults’ — medically, developmentally, socially and emotionally.
Child-Centered Facilities & Therapeutic Environment
Mary Free Bed Kids inpatient units are purpose-built for children. Therapy gyms, playrooms, a teen space, classroom and rehabilitation technology are designed with kids and adolescents in mind — bright, friendly, playful, and safe.
Children won’t feel like they’re in a sterile “adult” hospital: from iPads and adaptive games to recreation equipment for all ages and developmental levels. There’s also on-site educational support from a certified teacher — so kids in longer stays can continue their schoolwork and keep up academically while they recover.
Families are part of the healing process too. The environment is structured, yet warm — safe and supportive for patients and their families, with lodging options for caregivers and even partnerships with nearby housing for families of hospitalized children.
Specialized Certifications & Advanced Training
Our pediatric rehabilitation team brings advanced certifications and specialized training that elevate the level of care we provide. These credentials reflect a deep commitment to clinical excellence and staying at the forefront of evidence-based treatment.
Brain Injury Expertise
Our team includes therapists who hold a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) credential—an advanced certification that demonstrates specialized knowledge in brain injury rehabilitation, including assessment, treatment planning, and long-term recovery strategies. Across our inpatient and outpatient programs, we have clinicians with this certification, ensuring consistent, high-level care for patients with brain injuries.
Physical Therapy Advancement
Our pediatric physical therapy team is committed to continued professional growth. Staff members hold the Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS) certification through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), a rigorous credential that signifies advanced expertise in pediatric physical therapy.
Specialized Speech Therapy Certifications
Our speech-language pathology team holds multiple advanced certifications to support feeding, swallowing, and communication needs including:
- VitalStim certified, allowing pediatric speech therapists them to use neuromuscular electrical stimulation to support swallowing function.
- Beckman Oral Motor Certification, specializing in targeted techniques to improve strength, range of motion, and control for feeding and speech.
- Infant and Pediatric Modified Barium Swallow Studies, enhancing our ability to assess swallowing safety in young patients.
- Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), an advanced instrumental assessment used to evaluate swallowing function in real time.
Together, these certifications ensure that our team delivers highly specialized, coordinated care tailored to each child’s unique needs.
Meet Your Inpatient Rehabilitation Team
Your dedicated team includes specialists from various disciplines. They work together to maximize your recovery and independence.
You and your family or caregivers are the most important members of the team. You’re encouraged to have an active role in your treatment plan and help set goals for your rehabilitation.
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What to Expect: The Inpatient Rehabilitation Experience
Personalized, Intensive Therapy Plans
When your child is admitted for inpatient rehabilitation, they’ll receive a fully individualized treatment plan tailored to their condition, abilities, and recovery goals. Because no two kids — or their recoveries — are alike, we don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
Under the care of a pediatric physiatrist, therapy begins promptly. Typically, children receive at least three hours of intensive therapy each day — including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy – plus, recreational and play-based therapies, and more as needed.
Therapies are interwoven with rest, meals, school work, family time, and socialization, allowing for a balanced, healing-oriented, child-friendly schedule.
Comprehensive Rehabilitation: Body, Mind & Life — Not Just Recovery
Because children are more than injuries or diagnoses, our inpatient program addresses all aspects of well-being:
- Physical recovery — improving strength, mobility, coordination, daily living skills, and functional independence.
- Cognitive and developmental support — for kids recovering from brain injuries, neurological conditions, or developmental delays. Our therapy programs and support services are designed to meet each child where they are.
- Emotional and social well-being — rehabilitation can be challenging for children and families. Our team includes psychologists and care coordinators to support mental and emotional health, assist families, and help children cope, adapt, and thrive.
- Educational continuity — for children staying more than a few days, maintaining academic engagement is important. Our onsite certified teacher ensures kids can keep up with school work when appropriate and help support the transition back to school.
- Family-centered care — family involvement is central: caregivers are encouraged to participate in therapy, planning, and ongoing care. We support family presence, education, and empowerment so they can help their child after discharge.
From Admission to Discharge and Beyond: Continuum of Care
Inpatient care is often just the beginning of a child’s rehabilitation journey. Once your child graduates from inpatient rehab at Mary Free Bed Kids, we offer a seamless transition to outpatient programs, specialized services, orthotics and prosthetics, adaptive equipment, and continuing therapy and school — ensuring support for as long as needed.
Our broad statewide network means that whether you live in Grand Rapids or elsewhere in Michigan, families can often find outpatient follow-up care nearby.
Who We Serve — Conditions & Diagnoses Treated
Mary Free Bed Kids accepts children with a wide variety of conditions — from those recovering from serious illness or injury, to those living with congenital or chronic conditions that benefit from intensive rehabilitation.
Some of the conditions we treat include:
- Brain injuries, concussions, head trauma, disorders of consciousness
- Spinal cord injuries and other spinal disorders
- Neurological disorders, neuromuscular diseases, nerve and muscle disorders
- Functional neurologic disorder
- Stroke
- Multiple trauma from accidents and injuries
- Amputations and limb differences
- Cancer and its rehabilitation needs
- Burns
- Congenital conditions and complex medical diagnoses
- Chronic pain syndromes
- Orthopedic or musculoskeletal injuries
- Developmental delays requiring intensive therapy
- Cerebral Palsy
- After surgery rehabilitation to build strength, endurance and function
- Cardiac conditions
- Other complex rehabilitation needs requiring skilled nursing and frequent therapy
Because we treat children with such a wide range of needs — from acute injury recovery to long-term chronic condition management — our experience and flexibility allow us to design custom plans for nearly any pediatric rehabilitation situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are questions we often hear from parents who are preparing for an inpatient stay for their child. Reach out to your child’s treatment team about specific questions or concerns.
There’s complimentary valet parking available at the main hospital building. Covered parking and a surface lot are accessible via the main entrance. There’s free parking on nearby streets.
You’re welcome to stay in your child’s room or at the Inn at Mary Free Bed, located on-campus. There’s also shuttle service between Mary Free Bed and the nearby Ronald McDonald House.
You’re welcome to bring any personal items. This may include:
- Comfort objects
- Glasses
- Toiletries
- Hair products
- Preferred utensils/bowls
Additionally, please pack 4-5 sets of loose-fitting clothes and comfortable shoes for therapy. Please label all belongings with your child’s name.
Please leave the following items at home:
- Space heaters
- Heating pads
- Extension cords
- Equipment for food preparation/storage
Talk to your child’s treatment team if you have specific questions about what you can and cannoy bring for your stay.
Demonstrated Outcomes & Results
Mary Free Bed Kids doesn’t just promise quality care — our results speak for themselves:
- Our inpatient program achieves a home/community discharge rate significantly higher than national averages.
- Children consistently show meaningful functional improvements in mobility, independence and daily functioning during their stay.
- Over the past several years, we have treated tens of thousands of children with complex and serious conditions.
- Many children return home or to school ready to take the next steps in their lives, supported by ongoing outpatient cate as needed.
These statistics reflect not only our clinical effectiveness, but also our commitment to compassionate, child-centered rehabilitation.
In Progress: Expanding Capacity & Continuing Our Mission
Because demand for pediatric rehabilitation continues to grow, Mary Free Bed is working to build a freestanding, state-of-the-art children’s rehabilitation hospital. This new facility will dramatically expand our capacity, increasing the number of inpatient beds, outpatient therapy spaces, and services available to children across Michigan.
Highlights of the planned facility include:
- Private inpatient rooms designed for safety and privacy for medically fragile children
- Dedicated pediatric therapy gyms and specialized spaces for practicing daily living skills
- On-site orthotics & prosthetics and intensive feeding programs
- Family respite and resource center, classroom for school continuity and recreation/therapeutic play areas
This expansion underscores our commitment to meeting the growing needs of children and families — ensuring access to high-quality pediatric rehabilitation now and in the future.
What Families Appreciate About Inpatient Care at Mary Free Bed Kids
Mary Free Bed Kids is home to one of the nation’s most comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation programs. We often hear that families appreciate:
- A safe, compassionate and child-centered environment
- Holistic, individualized care addressing physical, cognitive, emotional and social needs
- Family involvement and support, including lodging and resources to stay close
- Continuity of care through outpatient services and community reintigration
- Proven outcomes with children returning home or to school ready to thrive.
Mary Free Bed Kids – Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation – Grand Rapids, Michigan
Contact Information & Next Steps
If you believe your child may benefit from inpatient rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed Kids — whether following an injury, illness, surgery, or as part of ongoing care for a chronic condition — the first step is to reach out for a referral and evaluation.
Mary Free Bed Kids offers a statewide network for pediatric rehabilitation, and while our inpatient program is based on our Grand Rapids campus, we are committed to helping coordinate continuing outpatient services and support wherever you are in Michigan.
Ready to Get Started With Mary Free Bed?
Wherever your child is on their rehabilitation journey, we’re here to help every step of the way. Our pediatric specialists are ready to listen, support and guide your family through recovery. Whether your child is just beginning treatment or continuing progress from earlier care, our team is committed to encouraging their growth, celebrating milestones and supporting every goal—big and small.
Our Locations
Great Lakes Bay Region
Northern Michigan
Southwest Michigan
West Michigan
Mid-Michigan
Southeast Michigan
Indiana
Virginia
