Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare has officially opened its new Toldo Outpatient Rehabilitation Centre, a donor-funded facility aimed at modernizing and strengthening rehabilitation services in Windsor-Essex. The centre was unveiled Thursday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the hospital’s Prince Road campus. The project is part of the HDGH Foundation’s Imagine Campaign, launched in July 2025 to fund the construction of a centralized outpatient rehabilitation space. The campaign has raised $4 million to date toward its $8.2 million goal. Leading the effort was the Toldo family and the Toldo Foundation, which pledged $1.5 million to the project. In recognition of the gift, the facility has been named the Toldo Outpatient Rehabilitation Centre. Hospital CEO Bill Marra said the project was entirely community funded. “This was all self-funded. We didn’t get any additional dollars or grants or government money,” Marra said. “This is Windsor and Essex citizens stepping up, saying this is a worthwhile investment.” The new centre brings physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and hand therapy services into one purpose-built location. Hospital officials say more than 15,000 patients access outpatient rehabilitation services at HDGH each year. Marra said demand for rehabilitation services continues to rise, driven by an aging population as well as patients recovering from stroke, acquired brain injuries, amputations and motor vehicle collisions. The expanded space includes simulated kitchen and bathroom areas where patients can practice everyday activities before returning home. “The best way to heal is at home,” Marra said, adding the new space supports better patient outcomes and smoother transitions from inpatient to outpatient care. “The new Toldo Outpatient Rehabilitation Centre stands as a powerful affirmation of what we can accomplish when a community comes together,” said David Cassidy, Board Chair of the HDGH Foundation Board of Directors. “This space stands as a testament to the generosity, commitment, and belief of our donors, who understand that meaningful change begins with investing in specialty care that strengthens our community.” Sarah Picco, director of rehabilitation and restorative care and patient transitions, said the facility improves continuity of care for patients leaving the hospital’s 90 inpatient rehabilitation beds. “It’s such a good thing for transition of care and continuity of care,” Picco said, noting patients can now move seamlessly from inpatient treatment to outpatient services in the same system. “It’s just a brighter space. I think it brings more joy and more hope for patients coming into this facility.” Former patient Bobbi Wagner shared her experience recovering from a brain injury and multiple falls, describing rehabilitation as critical to regaining independence. “Just suddenly everything I took for granted all my life, it was gone,” Wagner said. “This is a wonderful, safe place for people to recover.” The foundation says fundraising efforts will continue as part of the broader Imagine Campaign.
