VA San Diego Spinal Cord Injury Center and Community Living Center takes shape

As the largest healthcare system in the nation, the VA holds a pivotal role in delivering lifelong spinal cord care and support services. Presently, an estimated 42,000 Veterans grapple with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). This new building will not only deliver acute care but also address the needs of an increasing number of aging Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disabilities.

The 197,000-square-foot, four-story building will house the following components:

• First level: Clinical operations, patient rehab spaces, including a pool, basketball court and gym, as well as acute patient rooms and accessible outdoor garden spaces.
• Second level: Acute care spinal cord injury patient beds.
• Third level: Long-term care spinal cord injury space.
• Fourth level: The Community Living Center, which provides full-time care and a home environment for Veterans with complex and around-the-clock needs.

The design's central focus is on patient holistic well-being, achieved through designing patient units following a house/neighborhood model. Each "house" comprises six to eight private patient bedrooms surrounding nursing care areas, communal spaces and an exterior rooftop garden terrace, fostering social interaction and relaxation. Patient and resident rooms are designed with large windows to maximize natural light exposure and are complemented by spacious supervised and independent rehabilitation therapy areas.

Symbolism honoring Veterans' service reverberates throughout the building's design, with features such as a memorial garden, an atrium healing garden and military branch-inspired stars adorning interior corridors. The Paralyzed Veterans of America played an active role in the design process, ensuring the facility caters to the specific needs of Veterans with spinal cord injuries, including mobility impairments and accessibility requirements.

Scheduled for completion in fall 2024 and opening in spring 2025, the SCI/CLC represents a significant milestone in advancing healthcare services for Veterans with spinal cord injuries, underscoring the VA's unwavering commitment to excellence in care delivery.