Boulevard Health Center opens a short-term 'resort' wing

February 23, 2011
The Oakland Press
By Carol Hopkins

Hugging her beloved Yorkshire terrier Jazzy, Sandy Hutchinson sat in her room Wednesday making plans for this Saturday — the day she will move home after a five-week stay at Rochester Hills’ Boulevard Health Center.

The Waterford woman looked around and finally concluded the Bradford Medical Resort, the new 30-bed wing of the health center, was the place she wanted to recuperate from back surgery.

"My daughter found this facility,” Hutchinson said.

The smiling, pleasant woman shook her head thinking about the day when she arrived.

"If you could have seen me then,” she said.

Hutchinson credits the care and attention she received.

"The staff and everybody has been wonderful,” she said.

Many appear to be following Hutchinson’s lead.

"We’ve been really busy since after the holidays,” said Christine Petrik, the health center’s administrator.

The resort area, specifically for short-term rehabilitation of cognitively alert patients, opened late last year.

The resort, located in the health center’s former assisted living area, was designed to provide the ambiance of an upscale hotel, said Patricia Butler, vice president of marketing for The Manors, the company that manages the health center.

While people recuperate, they have access to a therapy gym where aides assist patients with building up motor skills.

People can choose to enjoy their meals — prepared under the direction of a professionally trained chef — in an intimate dining area.

Massage therapy, a spa tub room, manicures, pedicures and hair styling are also available to patients.

Having such amenities "helps with the healing,” said Vickie Elliott, Boulevard Health Center director of marketing and hotel liaison.

The resort rooms even resemble hotel suites with flat screen TVs, refrigerators, dark woodgrain shelving and attractive window treatments.

"Some of the private rooms have a patio and in good weather people can sit outside and have their meal or read a paper,” said Elliott.

In the lobby is a wireless cafe, where people can log on to computers or bring in their own technical devices.

If a guest is hungry for a treat from outside the facility, they can ask the resort’s concierge to order a favorite pizza or other tasty takeout meal.

Just a few steps away is a small store and adjacent to that is "Bogey’s,” a community room with a large flat screen TV where people can gather to watch favorite movies, TV shows or sporting events.

The therapy area includes a model laundry room complete with washer and dryer, kitchen, bath and dining area referred to the "Activities of Daily Living” section.

If a person has had shoulder surgery, for example, "an occupational therapist will work with you to help you learn everyday tasks all over again,” said Butler.

The resort also features all primary care nursing, said Butler.

Boulevard Health Center

The new resort is one portion of the health center, in existence for 20 years.

The health center sits on a large landscaped lot near Adams Road and South Boulevard.

Nearly 200 staff members assist people in the 186-bed facility. Both private and semi-private suites, each with a picture window, are available.

Registered dietitians monitor patients’ nutritional needs.

Every room is wired for cable TV and telephones. If families want to hold a private party for their loved one, they can rent a room called The Bistro.

The health center offers an entire team of medical professionals including a licensed physician as medical director, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists.

All rehabilitation therapy patients undergo an assessment to determine their current challenges.

The owners’ long-time connection to the area has an advantage, said Butler.

"Our stability keeps our focus on providing the best possible care and clinical outcomes for our patients,” said Butler.

Contact staff writer Carol Hopkins at 248-745-4645 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Follow her on Twitter @waterfordreport.

"My daughter found this facility,” Hutchinson said.

The smiling, pleasant woman shook her head thinking about the day when she arrived.

"If you could have seen me then,” she said.

Hutchinson credits the care and attention she received.

"The staff and everybody has been wonderful,” she said.

Many appear to be following Hutchinson’s lead.

"We’ve been really busy since after the holidays,” said Christine Petrik, the health center’s administrator.

The resort area, specifically for short-term rehabilitation of cognitively alert patients, opened late last year.

The resort, located in the health center’s former assisted living area, was designed to provide the ambiance of an upscale hotel, said Patricia Butler, vice president of marketing for The Manors, the company that manages the health center.

While people recuperate, they have access to a therapy gym where aides assist patients with building up motor skills.

People can choose to enjoy their meals — prepared under the direction of a professionally trained chef — in an intimate dining area.

Massage therapy, a spa tub room, manicures, pedicures and hair styling are also available to patients.

Having such amenities "helps with the healing,” said Vickie Elliott, Boulevard Health Center director of marketing and hotel liaison.

The resort rooms even resemble hotel suites with flat screen TVs, refrigerators, dark woodgrain shelving and attractive window treatments.

"Some of the private rooms have a patio and in good weather people can sit outside and have their meal or read a paper,” said Elliott.

In the lobby is a wireless cafe, where people can log on to computers or bring in their own technical devices.

If a guest is hungry for a treat from outside the facility, they can ask the resort’s concierge to order a favorite pizza or other tasty takeout meal.

Just a few steps away is a small store and adjacent to that is "Bogey’s,” a community room with a large flat screen TV where people can gather to watch favorite movies, TV shows or sporting events.

The therapy area includes a model laundry room complete with washer and dryer, kitchen, bath and dining area referred to the "Activities of Daily Living” section.

If a person has had shoulder surgery, for example, "an occupational therapist will work with you to help you learn everyday tasks all over again,” said Butler.

The resort also features all primary care nursing, said Butler.

Boulevard Health Center

The new resort is one portion of the health center, in existence for 20 years.

The health center sits on a large landscaped lot near Adams Road and South Boulevard.

Nearly 200 staff members assist people in the 186-bed facility. Both private and semi-private suites, each with a picture window, are available.

Registered dietitians monitor patients’ nutritional needs.

Every room is wired for cable TV and telephones. If families want to hold a private party for their loved one, they can rent a room called The Bistro.

The health center offers an entire team of medical professionals including a licensed physician as medical director, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists.

All rehabilitation therapy patients undergo an assessment to determine their current challenges.

The owners’ long-time connection to the area has an advantage, said Butler.

"Our stability keeps our focus on providing the best possible care and clinical outcomes for our patients,” said Butler.

Contact staff writer Carol Hopkins at 248-745-4645 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Follow her on Twitter @waterfordreport.