Forrest General Rehabilitation Center earns Three-Year CARF Re-Accreditation

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – (January 28, 2025) The Forrest General Rehabilitation Center has once again received accreditation for a period of three years by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF International). The Three-Year Accreditation applies to the following services offered:

Inpatient Rehabilitation Program – General Adults
Inpatient Rehabilitation Program – Stroke Specialty Program (Adults)

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation given to an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility and shows the organization’s substantial compatibility to the CARF standards. It means the Forrest General Rehabilitation Center is committed to delivering the highest level of safe and effective services, ongoing performance improvement, and the satisfaction of the persons served.

“This accreditation is an indication the Inpatient Rehabilitation Center meets the highest quality standards of care for those patients who might qualify for inpatient rehab services,” said Donna Wheeless, administrative director of Rehabilitation Services. “While the CARF accreditation is not a requirement, we are choosing to meet the highest possible quality standards in our industry. It’s an accomplishment that indicates our medical, nursing and therapy staff and leadership are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care for the people we serve. It also fulfills the Forrest General Hospital mission to do what is best for our patients.”

In addition to meeting General Adult program standards, Forrest General’s Rehabilitation Services is also Adult Stroke program accredited, which means they meet distinctive standards as a stroke specialty program, as well.

Brian J. Boon, CARF president/CEO, believes this accreditation supports a continuation of the quality improvement of Forrest General Rehabilitation Center’s program/services and speaks to the organization’s strengths. “Your organization should take pride in achieving this high level of accreditation,” he said.

An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has gone through a rigorous peer-review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.

CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of persons served.

For more information about Forrest General Rehabilitation Center, visit forresthealth.org/rehab.

ABOUT FORREST HEALTH

Forrest Health is a system of healthcare organizations formed to increase access to quality health care in south Mississippi. Forrest General Hospital is its flagship hospital. In addition to Forrest General, Forrest Health hospitals include: Highland Community Hospital, Picayune; Jefferson Davis Community Hospital & Extended Care Facility, Prentiss; Marion General Hospital, Columbia; Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home, Poplarville; Perry County General Hospital, Richton; and Walthall General Hospital, Tylertown. Forrest Health is also home to The Orthopedic Institute and Institute of Neuroscience, both in Hattiesburg, as well as a variety of healthcare clinics throughout its 19-county coverage area.