SCHWAB REHABILITATION HOSPTIAL

Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital is a 126-bed rehabilitation hospital that serves individuals with disabilities. Schwab was founded in 1912 as Rest Haven, a center for convalescing women and has evolved into a highly effective and innovative facility for medical rehabilitation care. The mission of Schwab is to improve the health, functioning, and well being of persons with disabilities by offering effective and efficient rehabilitation services. Schwab is a nationally recognized physical medicine and rehabilitation facility, as well as an advocate for the prevention of disabling injuries. Schwab provides a comprehensive array of rehabilitation services, advocacy, community-based disability education and prevention programs, as well as support groups to a predominantly low-income African American and Latino population in inner-city Chicago.
Schwab is located in North Lawndale, a community whose residents experience a host of poverty related problems, including high unemployment, low educational attainment, poor housing, and a lack of the adequate support systems necessary to ensure physical and mental health. One of just two comprehensive rehabilitation hospitals in Chicago, Schwab serves those who have the least. In fact, within Schwab's primary service areas, an average of 50% of the population is living below the poverty level.

The Extended Services department at Schwab facilitates positive reintegration into the community for people with newly acquired disabilities through programs including peer-mentoring and educational services, as well as programs that employ past patients as mentors and violence prevention advocates in the community.