Treating the whole person goal at new Robert Maloff Center

The new multi-million dollar Robert Maloff Center at Barton Memorial Hospital is stunning, resembling a high-end health club instead of the medical and wellness center it is. Inside its wood, glass and stone walls is the Barton Center for Orthopedics & Wellness, bringing together services needed by those recovering from injuries and surgery into one building.

No longer will x-rays be read in the hallway of the hospital. No longer will patients need to go to different locations to meet with physical therapists, doctors and other rehabilitative service. No longer will medicine be the only avenue to wellness.

Thanks to the generosity of Lisa Maloff, the center is a dream come true to the doctors and team who have created nationally recognized orthopedic care. In honor of her late husband, Mrs. Maloff (also known as the "Angel of Tahoe") donated millions to build a tribute to him that would help the community.

The orthopedic center has been in the discussion of doctors, physical therapists and hospital leadership for years. In 2003, they all got together to put all rehab services under one roof, but they could never justify the expense according the Chris Proctor, the administrative director of the center.

In 2014, Mrs. Maloff called them about a donation and things changed. Now the performance/wellness building got bigger, planned services expanded.

"She was the game changer," said Proctor.

On the first floor it is an integration of rehabilitation, wellness and performance and services that link the patient to care when insurance stops. With rehabiliation goals differing for patients, a customized plan is created by the team. Those in the first steps of treatment can look across the therapy room and see someone who is ending treatment, helping them to visualize their goals.

The Fry family donated the three pools on the first level in honor of Dr. Paul Fry, a big part of the growth of orthopedics in South Lake Tahoe. One pool is cold water, another hot water and the third is a wave pool. They were styled after what is offered for the U.S. Ski Team at Park City, Utah.

What is different in the center is the treatment of the whole person, a continuum of care that is one path where all the right players are in one place to help the patient. Proctor said they were never able to do that before with needed services spread through South Lake Tahoe.

"People will know 'my team is here'," said Proctor of having all involved in care under one roof.

What is also being offered is integrated medicine with Chinese medicine, behavioral health and a health coach all there to be part of a patient's team.

Another difference one will notice upon entering is the social aspect of the environment. There are several sitting areas where one can find employees interacting with patients, televisions used as education portals, and a relaxing and comforting atmosphere that is conducive to healing.

One the second floor there are meeting rooms that are used for staff training, community education, wellness lectures, group performance classes (formerly known as Tahoe Fit), and Mommy and Me classes. Glass walls look below to the second floor, keeping the entire building open to the outdoors.

The outdoors will also be part of care. In the back of the center there are areas where perhaps walking paths can be created according to Proctor. Not all rehab has to be indoors.

There are no longer office cubicles full of personal photos and items. Instead staff uses whichever area is open, moving about the center. There guest relations specialists are the "glue to this big building" according to Proctor. He said they want to meet people's need and exceed expectations.

World class athletes will be welcome at the center, as will locals and youth. With a growing sports medicine and performance center at South Tahoe High, many of those students can end up training side-by-side with the staff at the Robert Maloff Center. The center will also be able to help the student athletes in their care if injured.

"We're not a gym, our goal is to start with an assessment," said Proctor.

For $149 a person can be assessed and get services. Youth are $59 and there will be Barton employee plans. Staff will create the needed program, something a patient can take to their own gym to work on, or at the center.

Proctor said they don't want means to be an obstacle to care.

Now that the building is completed and open, the next step is bringing athletes and camps to town and the center.

"This is so much more than I expected," said Proctor. "This is a path to wellness."