Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital
A partnership between Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.
Join Us for the Ribbon Cutting
Mary Free Bed Kids at Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital
Friday, December 4, 2026
Ribbon Cutting and Community Celebration
10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Program from 10:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M., building tours to follow.
Why Mary Free Bed Kids?
As a CARF-Accredited Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Program, we provide expert, family-centered care designed to support the best possible recovery outcomes. Rehabilitation is essential after illness, injury, or surgery, and research consistently shows that beginning specialized care early can significantly improve a child’s progress.
Our accredited programs, seasoned clinical teams, and compassionate approach ensure that children and families receive the highest standard of support throughout their rehabilitation journey.
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital holds a number of special accreditations from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International (CARF). This voluntary but rigorous accreditation process is based on specific and comprehensive standards ensuring the highest-quality rehabilitation.
CARF is an independent organization dedicated to providing reliable information to help patients and families make informed health care decisions. Consumers and medical professionals collaborate to develop the leading-edge standards by which providers are measured.
Hospital Build for Kids – A Future Built by Generosity
The greatest transformations begin with people who believe a better future is possible. Generous support makes it possible for Mary Free Bed Kids to expand access to specialized pediatric rehabilitation, advance innovation, and create extraordinary experiences for children and families. That generosity becomes part of a lasting legacy, creating hope and opportunity for generations to come.
Building Bridges to Hope and Healing
Pure Architects, the firm selected to design the hospital, believes “every project, every building, makes an impact beyond its walls.” The Grand Rapids-based firm is devoted to designing human-centered spaces and places that uplift our community and positively impact our environment.
We’re proud to partner with a purpose-driven team committed to building an inclusive and equitable world for future generations.
Giving Kids a Springboard to a Brighter Future
OUR MISSION
Build a state-of-the-art, freestanding children’s rehabilitation hospital dedicated to helping all kids achieve the best possible outcome through compassionate collaboration, innovation and interdisciplinary care.
Taking Michigan’s Pediatric Rehabilitation to New Heights
This world-class hospital will be designed for, and exclusively dedicated to, the rehabilitation of infants, children and teens — one that will exponentially enhance collaboration, medical treatment and clinical outcomes.
2x
INPATIENT BEDS
+20%
OUTPATIENT VISITS
+2,500
KIDS SERVED PER YEAR
Big Leaps for Boundless Futures.
Mary Free Bed is a statewide resource for children’s rehabilitation. From 2016 through 2023, we treated 40,718 individual inpatients and outpatients in the Mary Free Bed System and cared for 1,313 out-of-state children — welcoming kids with the most serious and complex conditions. Approximately 60% of Michigan children who need inpatient rehabilitation are treated at Mary Free Bed in Grand Rapids.
LEVELS 1 & 2 | OUTPATIENT THERAPY
- Specialized therapy gym
- Treatment, exam and procedure rooms
- Consultation rooms
- Family resource center
- Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics
- Intensive Feeding Program
- Express café
- Playground
LEVEL 3 | INPATIENT THERAPY
- 24 private rooms
- All rooms with ventilator capability
- Specialized therapy gyms
- Classroom
- Areas designed for kids to practice everyday tasks
Spaces that Help Children Heal
Every detail of Mary Free Bed Kids at Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital was intentionally designed for children and families. Inspired by the wonder of the outdoors, the hospital creates an environment where rehabilitation feels welcoming rather than clinical. From cozy cabin-inspired therapy spaces and family gathering areas to an indoor treehouse playground and whimsical Hobbit Door, every space encourages movement, imagination, and engagement while reminding children this is a place created just for them.
Your Support Helps Kids Soar
Your generosity will make this dream a reality, and we look forward to partnering with you on this momentous project. Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital will be one of the crowning jewels of our community — a visible and practical demonstration of the importance we place on health care and children.
The proof is in their stories
Let’s eat!
Learn how therapists use neuromuscular electrical stimulation to help babies swallow successfully in the Mary Free Bed Feeding Program.
Courage, Faith & Perseverance
In September, 16-year-old Sam Smalldon was airlifted to Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital after a car crash. Sam suffered serious injuries – including multiple skull fractures, broken bones and a severe traumatic brain injury (or TBI). He found his village of support at Mary Free Bed Kids.
The Chronic Pain Program Helps Selena Find Relief
The innovative program blends medical and behavioral rehabilitation to significantly improve and manage symptoms – so kids like Selena with chronic pain can enjoy being kids.
The Art & Science of Orthotics
Lawston’s parents turned to the Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics team for a custom omphalocele compression brace that also addresses his scoliosis. After one month, he’s already seeing great progress.
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
