Special Care Center and Highbridge Woodycrest Center

The 240-bed Special Care Center and the 90-bed Highbridge Woodycrest Center provide long term health care to geriatric, AIDS, and disabled residents. Both facilities are integral parts of the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center Health Care System.

At the Special Care Center and Highbridge Woodycrest Center, a full range of services are provided, including medical, nursing, social services, therapeutic activities, pharmacy, and substance abuse. Other programs include rehabilitation (occupational, physical, and speech therapies), as well as dental and radiology services. The Special Care Center was among the first in the nation to have a dedicated AIDS unit within a long-term care setting.

Both the Special Care Center and Highbridge Woodycrest Center were recently acknowledged for the exceptional care and quality services provided to their residents. The Special Care Center, under the direction of Peter Kennedy, Executive Director, and Highbridge Woodycrest Center, under the leadership of Leonardo Vicente III, Executive Director, had a health deficiency-free survey in their annual New York State Department of Health inspection.

Adrian Artista, RN, Director of Nursing, Highbridge Woodycrest Center, reviewing admission information

Eleanor Lopez, Activities Therapist, with Special Care Center resident

The key to success for the Special Care Center and Highbridge Woodycrest Center is their staff. “We make every possible effort to cater to the needs of our residents and their families,” stated Octavio Marin, Vice President Long Term Care/Support & Ambulatory Care Services. “Each resident is assigned his/her own physician, thereby providing an in depth understanding of the resident’s medical history,” added Dr. Robert Walsh, Medical Director. Exceptional care is provided by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, patient care technicians, and certified nursing assistants, under the direction of Olive Williams- Brown, DNP, PhD, Chief Nursing Officer, Long Term Care, Special Care Center and Adrian Artista, RN, Director of Nursing, Highbridge Woodycrest Center. Additionally, the strong relationship with Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center is contributing to high quality and comprehensive care.

“Our overall mission of providing the best quality care by a dedicated staff in a special and caring place is consistently being fulfilled and that is of vital importance to the Bronx community,”

Barbara Lowe, RN, MPH, and Board Chairman of both long term care facilities