After a detrimental fall causing a traumatic brain injury, Leonel Laurel looked at five hospitals for the best care…


“Hi, I’m Lola from Iowa.

On December 2nd, I had rotator cuff surgery in Iowa. After that, I started taking my therapy right there in Cedar Falls, IA. But my husband, Tom, and I are “Winter Texans.” I wanted to find a place that was reputable, and sure enough, I found Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation Hospital.

I am so pleased! From the very beginning, when I first contacted them via the telephone, they were very courteous and prompt with answering all of my questions. I faxed the necessary documents to them, and received a prompt return phone call confirming they received my paperwork and had my insurance approved.

I started my therapy here on December 30th, and everything went so well. Each time I went to therapy, every staff person was professional and welcomed me with a smile. I definitely felt like I formed new friendships with each of them. My therapy sessions were very well planned and each exercise was described thoroughly so I could execute it with maximum results. They started me with all the easier exercises because I couldn’t even hardly move my arm. And now I’m moving my arm up and around and just having an easy time of it, because of the therapy that I received here.

Not only me, but I saw the [inpatient] residents here, that have come after being hospitalized and before they can go home. And watched the therapists work with them and people like me, an outpatient. And they were kind and courteous and respectful of everyone.

I am so pleased with my therapy here at Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation Hospital and would recommend it to anyone needing therapy!”

Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation Hospital has been named in the Top 10 percent of inpatient rehabilitation facilities in the United States. The hospital’s care was cited as being as being patient-centered, effective, efficient and timely.

“We strive to deliver this higher level of care as our standard,” says Corina Humphreys, CEO of Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation Hospital. “We have graciously been recognized as a top performing facility, but we never take it for granted. Our staff is exceptionally passionate about helping patients reach their full potential through the care we provide. We work daily to ensure patients are reaching their highest levels of ability and independence.”

Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation Hospital was ranked in the Top 10 percent from among 870 inpatient rehabilitation facilities nationwide by the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSMR), a non-profit corporation that was developed with support from the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. The UDSMR maintains the world’s largest database of rehabilitation outcomes.

“If you take into account that a national study has previously shown that inpatient rehabilitation facilities provide better long-term results for patients, being ranked at the top of that group validates the quality of care we provide,” says Dr. Juan Asuaje, Medical Director of Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation Hospital, referencing a study commissioned by the ARA Research Institute that showed patients treated in inpatient facilities experienced improved quality of life as compared to skilled nursing facilities.

“To provide the highest level of rehabilitative care available in the United States to our own community is truly rewarding,” Asuaje says. “This means our family, friends, and colleagues don’t need to leave the area to receive the best care available.”

Through the UDSMR, Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation Hospital also will collaborate with peers throughout the nation to share information and establish best practices for patients. “This helps elevate rehabilitative care for everyone across the United States,” Asuaje says.

Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation Hospital provides specialized rehabilitative services to patients who are recovering from or living with disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses, or chronic medical conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic injuries, cerebral palsy, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.