Salisbury, MD — Bay Harbor Post Acute and Healthcare Center in Salisbury has launched a Stroke Recovery Program, one of the first specialized subacute care offerings of its kind for the region. In tandem, the center became the first in the State of Maryland to earn Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification from the American Heart Association®, a global force changing the future of health of all.
The achievement coincides with a multi-million-dollar renovation and modernization underway at the Wicomico County center. Located at 200 Civic Avenue, the 305-bed skilled nursing center provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care.
“Bay Harbor’s Stroke Recovery Program – designed to meet the American Heart Association’s evidence-based standards of care for stroke survivors – reflects its commitment to transformative skilled nursing services,” said Jennifer Carnegie, regional director of market development for Marquis Health Consulting Services, which supports Bay Harbor.
Bay Harbor’s stroke rehabilitation services are tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of an individual, dependent on how they have been impacted by a stroke. Under the direction of Bay Harbor’s Bethany Klopfer, APRN FNP-C, a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) specialist, the program aims to help restore physical function, gain strength and endurance, improve balance and mobility, manage pain and spasticity, overcome speech and communication deficits, and develop new cognitive strategies. Klopfer, who is certified as a PM&R nurse practitioner and has a master’s degree in nursing, possesses extensive experience treating patients in the sub-acute rehabilitation setting.
Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the U.S., and approximately 795,000 people each year experience a new or recurrent stroke, according to the Association’s 2025 statistical update. This certification provides a framework for evaluating skilled nursing facilities against rigorous science-based requirements for stroke rehabilitation, including program management, patient and caregiver education and support, care coordination, clinical management and quality improvement.
“When there are evidence-based processes during every phase of care, patients have the best opportunity for positive outcomes,” said Pamela Duncan, PhD, PT, FAPTA, FAHA, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association’s Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification Oversight Workgroup. “Participation in this certification benefits the patient and the facility by standardizing care, helping patients and their loved ones choose a facility that follows important best practices.”
The Association’s certification ensures stroke rehabilitation care is coordinated from preadmission through discharge. “At Bay Harbor, the team is committed to employing the most innovative care for its patients recovering from stroke,” Carnegie added. “With the certification, the American Heart Association has armed the center with additional tools and recognized its success.”
More information on Bay Harbor and its programming can be found at bayharborrehab.com.
Marquis Health Consulting Services provides administrative consulting services to skilled nursing facilities and senior living communities along the Eastern Seaboard. The company’s “Care, anew” philosophy supports its mission to help clients transform industry processes, mindsets and outcomes. Marquis-serviced skilled nursing centers have access to an evolving suite of clinician-led specialty care models, signature services and comfort features – enabling innovation, compassion and purpose in every aspect of care.
Members of the Bay Harbor team celebrate the center’s groundbreaking Skilled Nursing Facility Stroke Rehabilitation Certification
