Michigan’s First Post-acute Neurorehabilitation Provider
Special Tree Rehabilitation System is one of the nation’s leading neurorehabilitation providers for post-and subacute care and recovery from brain injury, spinal cord injury, and multiple trauma. Our specialty rehabilitation center, situated on a serene 23-acre campus in Romulus, Michigan, provides patients with extraordinary opportunities for healing and recovery through outcomes-based rehabilitation, advanced care, and some of the latest technology available for therapy and treatment. Special Tree is the earliest known post-acute brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation provider, the first of its kind in Michigan.
Where Hope Takes Root
Hope is powerful. Where there is hope, there is inspiration to move forward; to reach beyond obstacles and achieve goals. At Special Tree, we help clients and their families with the physical and emotional challenges associated with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries and other disabilities. And most importantly, we offer hope.
Family-owned and operated since 1974, our neurorehabilitation services have helped thousands of patients improve and maintain their quality of life. Our wholistic, person-first approach encompasses the body, mind, heart, and spirit, and leverages advanced technologies and practices to help individuals realize their fullest potential.
Our caring team of specialists provides encouragement and expertise to guide patients through the entire rehabilitation process. We have established a reputation for creating positive patient experiences and earned the trust of physicians and families throughout Michigan and beyond.
Founded 1974.
Special Tree began more than forty years ago on an attractive, suburban campus in Romulus, Michigan when Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Jean Richert, Joseph C. Richert, and others acquired a nursing care facility called Woody's Rest Home. Changing the name to Apple Tree Lane, in November of 1974 we opened the doors of what is now our Special Tree NeuroCare Campus and we haven't closed them since.
Pioneers in Brain + Spinal Cord Rehabilitation
While the initial focus involved geriatric care, that soon shifted. We started to treat younger clients who often had been catastrophically injured with traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries and were unable to find appropriate services elsewhere. Realizing we could help significantly improve the quality of life for these individuals, we slowly hired therapists, nurses, and others to provide rehabilitation services.
Innovative Care from the Start
In the eighties and nineties, we expanded to include day rehabilitation, residential services and increased therapy services to provide for active, transitional, and long term rehabilitation options. We expanded our expertise in neurorehabilitation, pioneering many of the care settings, program features, and treatment options that are widely-used today. Special Tree is the earliest known post-acute brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation provider, the first of it’s kind in Michigan.
State-of-the-Art Rehabilitation
With a wealth of experience in meeting the needs of those experiencing life-altering changes, in 2011 Special Tree expanded the NeuroCare Campus in Romulus to a full service, state-of-the-art rehabilitation environment designed specifically for rehabilitation and care to become a true Center of Excellence.
Our care continuum now includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, home care and community rehabilitation services with a host of neuro-specialty programs and wide network of resources to meet the unique needs of every individual we serve.
Healing + Recovery
The twenty-three acre campus offers subacute, residential, and outpatient services with some of the most advanced technology and amenities available including 39-bed subacute unit, in-wall equipment for respiratory care, a spacious, full-service therapy clinic, Zero-G system, indoor pool, state-of-the-art greenhouse, and more.
The residential program serves clients with transitional and long term needs through a 15-bed unit within the NeuroCare Center and a stand-alone, on-site residential home within the campus.
Generations of Experience
Since our founding in 1974, we have remained true to our mission to provide hope, encouragement, and expertise for those who have experienced life-altering changes. Special Tree remains family-owned and operated, with a third generation now at the helm. The Richert Family have dedicated their lives and families to fostering an environment ideal for healing, recovery, and growth.
We remain committed to our early roots of helping patients find purpose, meaning, and independence as they regain lost skills and adapt to new life following traumatic injury. This would not be possible without the support and dedication of our tremendous staff, for whom we remain forever grateful.
Passion + Purpose
Our passion and purpose have one very important thing in common - you. Time and again we are amazed, even humbled, at the human capacity as people dedicate themsleves to their recovery. It is our privilege to provide the tools for this process — to guide people toward improved capabilities and increasingly higher levels of independence.
We have been witness to some amazing triumphs in recovery and to so many achievements, both great and small, throughout our rich history.
