News

Gaylord Fairfield Marks First Anniversary as Demand Continues to Grow for Rehabilitation Services

Gaylord — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 13:52:50 GMT

FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT, October 27, 2026 – One year after opening its doors, Gaylord Specialty Healthcare’s Fairfield outpatient clinic has logged more than 9,000 visits, doubled its staff, and expanded its rehabilitation services and technology.

Located at 75 Kings Highway Cutoff, the 6,500-square-foot clinic opened in October 2025, bringing Gaylord’s expertise in sports medicine, orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation to Fairfield County. The clinic, Gaylord’s first outpatient location in southwestern Connecticut, reports that 98 percent of patients say they are highly likely to recommend its services. The clinic also holds a 5.0-star Google rating.

The clinic provides physical, occupational and speech therapy for people recovering from orthopedic injuries and neurological conditions, including stroke, brain and spinal cord injury, concussion, vestibular disorders, Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. Its sports medicine and performance program helps athletes with rehabilitation, injury prevention, strength and conditioning, and return-to-play.

The clinic has also expanded its clinical capabilities with the addition of the ARC-EX® System, a noninvasive spinal cord stimulation technology designed to help improve upper-limb function in people with spinal cord injury. The addition expands the technology available to Gaylord clinicians treating individuals with spinal cord injuries.

“The response from the Fairfield community over the past year has reinforced what we saw when we opened: there was a real need for Gaylord’s specialized approach to rehabilitation in this part of the state,” said Peter Grevelding, Chief Operating Officer. “We’re proud of what this team has built in its first year and, most importantly, of the trust Fairfield County patients have placed in us.”

The clinic is led by Jadean Hoff, PT, DPT, NCS, CCVR, a board-certified specialist in neurologic rehabilitation with expertise in vestibular, balance and concussion care. The sports medicine and performance program is led by Brian Reis, PT, DPT, who specializes in rehabilitating athletes and return-to-play, injury prevention, and strength and conditioning.

The Fairfield location also features the Zero-G® Gait and Balance System, a body-weight support system that assists patients with gait training and mobility while reducing fall risk.

The clinic’s growth reflects Gaylord’s broader outpatient expansion across Connecticut, driven by demand for specialized rehabilitation services closer to where patients live and work. As it enters its second year, the Fairfield location will continue to expand access to Gaylord’s rehabilitation expertise, specialized technology and programs that support patients beyond traditional therapy.

For more information about Gaylord’s Fairfield clinic, visit info.gaylord.org/fairfield or call (203) 284-2770.

About Gaylord Specialty Healthcare:
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a rehabilitation-focused, nonprofit health system headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut, that provides inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness or injury to maximum recovery.

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is anchored by Gaylord Hospital, a long-term acute care hospital, and includes Gaylord Outpatient Services and Gaylord Physical Therapy for patients who require diagnosis and treatment. Gaylord’s Milne Institute for Healthcare Innovation is a hub for accelerating world-class rehabilitative research, technology development and innovation to improve the quality of life and function of people around the world. Together, these entities deliver a complete continuum of rehabilitative care driven by clinical experience, innovation and human compassion.

$12,000 Grant Supports Patient and Staff Safety at Gaylord Hospital

Gaylord — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, October 27, 2026 – Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a nonprofit rehabilitation-focused healthcare system headquartered in Wallingford, announces that it has received a $12,000 grant from the Katharine Matthies Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee.

Established in 1987 as the legacy of lifelong Seymour resident Katharine Matthies, the Foundation supports education, health, and human services for residents of the lower Naugatuck Valley.

$10,000 Grant Supports State-of-the-Art Technology at Gaylord Hospital

Gaylord — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, October 8, 2026 – Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a nonprofit rehabilitation-focused healthcare system headquartered in Wallingford, has received a $10,000 grant from the Harold and Rebecca H. Gross Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee.

The grant will support the purchase of a new, accessible chair lift to enable individuals with mobility challenges to safely access Gaylord’s 1,825-square-foot therapeutic pool.

Approximately 35 to 40 individuals rely on the chair lift each day to participate in inpatient or outpatient physical and occupational therapies in the pool. Many have limited mobility due to pain, fatigue, balance concerns or other physical impairments, or use wheelchairs, walkers or prosthetic devices that can make traditional pool entry difficult or unsafe. The pool is also frequently used by adaptive athletes and community members.

“Access to the therapeutic pool is an important part of rehabilitation for so many of our patients,” said Roslyn Gilhuly, Executive Director, The Gaylord Foundation, Inc.

“Replacing our existing chair lift will allow us to continue providing safe, reliable access for patients with mobility challenges to focus on participating in therapy and working toward greater independence. We’re grateful to the Harold & Rebecca H. Gross Foundation for helping us continue to provide this important resource for our patients.”

Town Fair Tire Foundation Fund Awards Grant to Gaylord Specialty Healthcare

Gaylord — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, October 1, 2026 — Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a nonprofit rehabilitation-focused healthcare organization headquartered in Wallingford, is pleased to announce that it has received a grant from the Town Fair Tire Foundation Fund to support the purchase of high-priority nursing, education, physical therapy, and rehabilitation technology for its Wallingford, Fairfield, and North Haven outpatient locations.

This marks the third consecutive year of support from the East Haven-based foundation for Gaylord’s programs.

Connecticut Businesses Can Support Gaylord Patients While Benefiting from Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program Until October 1, 2026

Gaylord — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, September 16, 2026 — Connecticut businesses have an opportunity to support patients receiving specialized rehabilitation care at Gaylord Specialty Healthcare while taking advantage of the state’s Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) Tax Credit Program.

Dr. Yaw Adjepong Honored by Connecticut Hospital Association as a 2026 “Healthcare Hero”

Gaylord — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

NewAlliance Foundation Grant Supports Workforce Development and Clinical Training through Gaylord Specialty Healthcare's CNA Academy

Gaylord — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare Names 2026 Employee of the Year

Gaylord — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Wallingford Resident Chrissy Rutigliano, CMA, Selected for Top Honor

WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, July 17, 2027 — Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a nonprofit rehabilitation-focused healthcare system headquartered in Wallingford, proudly announces that Chrissy Rutigliano, CMA, outpatient medical services practice manager, has been named the 2026 Employee of the Year.

$25,000 Grant to Expand Access to Psychiatric Services for Patients Recovering from Life-Altering Illnesses and Injuries at Gaylord Hospital

Gaylord — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, July 15, 2026 — Gaylord Specialty Healthcare has received a $25,000 grant from the David, Helen, and Marian Woodward Fund, Watertown to expand access to psychiatric services for patients recovering from life-altering illnesses and injuries.

Sonja LaBarbera, President and CEO of Gaylord Specialty Healthcare Makes 2026 Becker’s Women Hospital and Health System Presidents and CEOs to Know

Gaylord — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is proud to announce that President and CEO Sonja LaBarbera has been recognized by Becker's Hospital Review as one of the 236 Women Hospital and Health System Presidents and CEOs to Know in 2026. The national list honors exceptional healthcare leaders who are expanding access to care, driving healthcare innovation, and improving patient outcomes across the country. Since becoming Gaylord's first woman President and CEO in 2019, Sonja has led the organization's continued growth and advancement, including the launch of the Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation. Read the full article in Becker's Hospital Review here.