August Construction Update

The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) continues to watch the construction progress of B-500, the highly anticipated new home of the Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation services on the Palo Alto VAPAHCS Campus.  Some of the building's features will include private bedrooms and bathrooms for inpatients, 3-shared courtyards, a greenhouse, golf-putting green, bocce ball court, and half basketball court. 

Photo: B-500 as seen from front walkway area.

At 174,000 square feet, this new facility will be the largest consolidated rehabilitation center in the VA nationwide.  It will include 24 beds for the polytrauma program, 32 beds for the blind rehabilitation program, and 12 beds for the polytrauma transitional rehabilitation program.  Currently construction crews are nearing completion of both the interior and exterior of the building, with much of the landscaping installed.

Photo: Front Entrance of B-500 with landscaping and lighting.

The center will also have an outpatient physical therapy and occupational therapy clinic, and outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, and clinical programs for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans.  Construction is anticipated to be 100% complete shortly, with the building becoming operational sometime next year.


CLICK HERE to view additional construction pictures


CLICK HERE for construction updates


CLICK HERE to read the project's news release

July Construction Update

Photo: Art installation in front of B-500

WBRC continues to watch the construction progress of B-500, the highly anticipated new home of the Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation services on the Palo Alto VAPAHCS Campus.  Some of the building's features will include private bedrooms and bathrooms for inpatients, 3 large shared courtyards, a 'green' living roof, a greenhouse, and solar panels on the roof.

Photo: Rendering of front of B500.

At 174,000 square feet, this new facility is the largest consolidated rehabilitation center in the VA and will include 24 beds for the polytrauma program, 32 beds for the blind rehabilitation program, and 12 beds for the polytrauma transitional rehabilitation program.  Currently construction crews are nearing completion of both the interior and exterior of the building.

Photo: Front of B500 in July 2016

The center will also have an outpatient physical therapy and occupational therapy clinic, an outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, and clinical programs for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans.  Construction is anticipated to be 100% complete shortly, with the building becoming operational within a year.

CLICK HERE to view additional construction pictures


CLICK HERE for construction updates


CLICK HERE to read the project's news release

January Construction Update

Photo: Front of B500 as of January 2016

WBRC continues to watch the construction progress of B-500, the highly anticipated new home of the Polytruama and Blind Rehabilitation services on the Palo Alto VAPAHCS Campus.  Some of the building's features will include private bedrooms and bathrooms for inpatients, 3 large shared courtyards, a ‘green’ living roof, a greenhouse, and solar panels on the roof. 

Photo: The front entry to the glass atrium of B500

At 174,000 square feet, this new facility is the largest consolidated rehabilitation center in the VA and will include 24 beds for the polytruama program, 32 beds for the blind rehabilitation program, and 12 beds for the polytruama transitional rehabilitation program.  Currently construction crews are nearing completion of both the interior and exterior of the building.

Photo: The main courtyard of B500 as seen in the early evening with night lighting

The center will also have an outpatient physical therapy/occupational therapy clinic, an outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, and clinical programs for Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans.  Construction is anticipated to be 100% complete shortly, with the building becoming operational in the Spring or Summer of 2016.  

CLICK HERE to view additional construction pictures

CLICK HERE for construction updates

CLICK HERE to read the project's news release

A Look Back on 2015

Photo: '2016' written in colored sparklers

WBRC would like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2016!

There were several big events for WBRC in 2015 including watching our new home [B-500] on the Palo Alto Campus take shape and near completion, hosting a PBS documentary film crew at WBRC for two days, congratulating our staff members on their many accomplishments including contributing content to a book published by AFB Press and earning their 35 year service award, and watching our Alumni thrive.  As we prepare for 2016, let’s take a look back at 2015 via links to some of our favorite WBRC Blog posts from the year:

 

Photo: Members of the WBRC Administration during their 2015 tour of B-500.

WBRC Administration Tours New Building

Photo: A WBRC Veteran is filmed while training on the NVT light panel.

 PBS Documentary Films at WBRC

Two WBRC Staff Members Contribute to New Book Published by AFB Press

 

Photo: WBRC RN Jeremy Adriano receives his 35 year service award.  Pictured left to right:
Linda Delarue, RN, Chief of Rehabilitation Nursing; Herminio J. Adriano, recipient, RN,
Assistant Nurse Manager at WBRC; Roschild Grullon, RN, Nurse Manager at WBRC;
and Elizabeth Freeman, Director of the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System.

WBRC RN Receives 35 year Service Award

WBRC Alumnus Preps for 2015 Golden Aged Games

 

Photo: White Cane Awareness Walk participants pose on the Palo Alto City Hall steps

WBRC Completes 11^th Annual White Cane Awareness Walk

Photo: WBRC Staff review the building plans during a B500 tour in 2015.

WBRC Staff Tour B-500