Special Tree Rehabilitation System

What Special Tree Rehabilitation System does

Special Tree Rehabilitation System is a family-owned, post-acute neurorehabilitation provider headquartered on a 23-acre Romulus, Michigan campus, founded in 1974 by Dr. Joseph J. Richert and Jean Richert and now led by third-generation CEO Joseph J. Richert II. The company serves adults and children recovering from brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple trauma, stroke, and COVID-related conditions across a full continuum of care: inpatient post-acute neuro rehabilitation in a 39-bed licensed skilled nursing facility (the NeuroCare Center), 21 Adult Foster Care residential beds, outpatient therapy (including a Troy NeuroSkills Center), day treatment, and home and community-based services. Specialized clinical capabilities include respiratory therapy and ventilator weaning, physical, occupational, speech-language pathology, recreational, and vision therapy, supported by an in-house CLIA-accredited laboratory.

The clinical platform differentiates through the proprietary "Science of Caring" whole-person methodology, advanced rehabilitation hardware (ZeroG robotic body-weight support, Synchrony sEMG biofeedback for dysphagia, ReWalk exoskeletons, VR therapy, Visagraph eye tracking), and CARF accreditations spanning brain injury, spinal cord injury, home and community, and pediatric specialty programs. Special Tree is one of only two organizations worldwide holding CARF accreditation for both brain injury and spinal cord injury specialties for adults in a skilled nursing facility.

Revenue is generated through managed rehabilitation services reimbursed by Medicare Part A and Part B, commercial insurance, and Auto No-Fault coverage; specific pricing is not publicly disclosed and programs are customized per patient. The go-to-motion is referral-based sales targeting acute care hospitals, physicians, insurance case managers, and families across Southeastern Michigan, supported by admissions care navigators and community outreach (SCI Mobility + Recreation Expo, adaptive sports events, patient success stories). The company employs 501-1,000 people, has been continuously CARF-accredited since 1993, and celebrated its 50th anniversary in November 2024.

Name

Special Tree Rehabilitation System

Legal name

Special Tree Rehabilitation System

Website

https://specialtree.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Special Tree Rehabilitation System is a family-owned, post-acute neurorehabilitation provider in Romulus, Michigan serving adults and children recovering from brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple trauma, stroke, and other disabilities through inpatient, outpatient, residential, day treatment, and home health services across Southeastern Michigan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Post-acute neurorehabilitation services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurologic Rehabilitation Centers (Stroke/TBI/SCI/MS/Parkinson’s) (HLADAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Stroke/Neuro-Rehabilitation SNFs (HLADADAG), Neurological Rehabilitation Therapy In-Home (e.g., Stroke, Parkinson’s) (HSABADAE), Adult Day Rehabilitation & Therapy Programs (PT/OT/SLP) (HLADAIAD), Geriatric Rehabilitation Programs (HLADAJAL)

Keywords

• Neurorehabilitation services
• Brain injury rehabilitation
• Spinal cord injury care
• Post-acute rehabilitation
• Skilled nursing facility

Headquarters

HQ city

Romulus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Post-acute Neuro Rehabilitation Services: Inpatient, outpatient, and residential rehabilitation services for brain injury, spinal cord injury, and multiple trauma patients. Revenue generated through Medicare Part A and Part B, insurance, and Auto No-Fault coverage.
2. Home Health Care Services: Home-based programs providing customized care and support for individuals transitioning home. Staff provide ongoing support to help clients achieve independence goals.
3. Subacute Rehabilitation: Skilled nursing facility services with 24/7 nursing and respiratory care for patients with complex medical needs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Special Tree Rehabilitation System provides a full continuum of post-acute and sub-acute neurorehabilitation services for adults and children recovering from brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple trauma, stroke, and other neuro diagnoses. Service settings include inpatient skilled nursing, outpatient therapy, residential programs, day treatment, and home and community-based care, delivered from a 60-bed specialty campus in Romulus, Michigan with additional outpatient capacity in Troy. Therapy disciplines include physical, occupational, speech-language pathology, respiratory, recreational, and vision therapy, supplemented with advanced rehabilitation technologies such as ZeroG gait training, Synchrony dysphagia therapy, ReWalk exoskeletons, and VR therapy.

Product overview

Special Tree Rehabilitation System is a comprehensive neurorehabilitation healthcare provider offering a full continuum of post-acute and sub-acute care for brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple trauma, and other neuro diagnoses. The organization operates its specialty NeuroCare Center campus (a 39-bed licensed SNF with 21 AFC beds) and provides services across multiple settings: inpatient post-acute neuro rehabilitation with 24/7 skilled nursing and respiratory therapy, outpatient therapy services, residential programs (transitional and long-term), day treatment, and home and community services including home health care. The core offerings include specialized therapy services (physical, occupational, speech-language pathology, respiratory, recreational therapy, vision therapy, neuropsychology), with technology-enabled programs like ZeroG gait training and Synchrony dysphagia therapy. Services are CARF-accredited under CIIRP (Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program), with additional programs for stroke and COVID recovery. The organization serves the greater Southeastern Michigan area from its Romulus campus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NeuroCare Center: A 60-bed specialty rehabilitation campus in Romulus, Michigan with 39-bed licensed SNF and 21-bed AFC Residential Units
• Science of Caring

Products and services

• Post-acute Neuro Rehabilitation (Inpatient) Comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program providing 24/7 skilled nursing and respiratory therapy services for patients with complex medical needs following brain or spinal cord injury.
• Outpatient Therapy Services Full service outpatient therapy services encompassing physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and other rehabilitative treatments on a whole person basis.
• Residential Program Transitional and long-term residential care providing 24/7 supervised living with barrier-free settings and access to full service therapy and support services.
• Day Treatment Day treatment program providing structured rehabilitation services for individuals attending from their homes or residential settings.
• Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program Specialized rehabilitation program for traumatic brain injury patients offering comprehensive neuro rehabilitation services.
• Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program Specialized rehabilitation program for spinal cord injury patients with CARF-accredited inpatient, outpatient, and residential programs.
• Home and Community Services Home-based program helping individuals transition home with customized care and support to achieve independence goals.
• Respiratory Therapy Services 24/7 respiratory therapy including ventilator management and weaning, pulmonary rehabilitation, non-invasive ventilator support (CPAP/BIPAP), airway maintenance, oxygen and vest therapy, cough assist, and respiratory specialty services.
• Ventilator Weaning Program Program focused on aggressively helping clients reduce or eliminate dependence on mechanical ventilation and artificial airways, weaning clients from ventilators and tracheotomies whenever possible.
• Speech-Language Pathology Speech-language pathology services treating communication disorders including aphasia, apraxia, cognitive-communication disorders, dysarthria, dysphagia, and providing AAC assessments and training.
• Vision Therapy Vision rehabilitation program collaborating occupational therapy services with consulting optometrists to develop customized treatment plans promoting optimal visual function.
• Recreational Therapy Recreational therapy including adaptive sports, community outings, and leisure activities to improve physical function and quality of life.
• Physical Therapy Physical therapy services helping patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility through various treatment modalities and exercises.
• Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy services helping patients achieve independence in activities of daily living and functional skills.
• In-House Laboratory Services On-site fully accredited (CLIA) laboratory offering diagnostic tests including CBCs, electrolyte panels, BMP, CMP, liver function panels, and lipid panels.
• SCI Education Learning Series Six-session educational course for spinal cord injury patients and their care-providers covering anatomy, skin care, bowel and bladder care, mental health, secondary health complications, and sexuality and relationships.
• ZeroG Gait and Balance Training Robotic body-weight support therapy providing dynamic support up to 200 pounds with interactive balance programs and biofeedback, enabling safe, high-intensity practice of gait walking, transfers, sit-to-stand, and advanced balance activities.
• Synchrony Dysphagia Therapy sEMG Biofeedback therapy combined with PENS e-stim that allows clients with dysphagia to 'see' their swallows through Bluetooth-connected electrodes and therapeutic exercises/games.
• ReWalk Exoskeleton Therapy Personalized robotic exoskeleton therapy that enables mobility for clients with spinal cord injuries.
• Virtual Reality Therapy Virtual reality-based therapy used to treat traumatic brain injury patients through immersive rehabilitation experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• Patients who walk more than 1,400 steps per day have better outcomes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Runway of Dreams FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant program recipient of Seven7 adaptive jeans designed for ease of dressing with magnetic and micro Velcro closures for people with disabilities. Part of adaptive fashion initiative promoting greater inclusion.
• WareologieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdaptive button and product designer for people with disabilities. Introduced Special Tree to Runway of Dreams Foundation mission at SCI Mobility Fair.
• Delta AirlinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelta Airlines Disabilities Support staff provides educational airport tours for Special Tree clients and families, teaching travel with disabilities through every phase of the airport experience including TSA security, gate access, plane boarding, and wheelchair loading.
• Whittaker Group Healthcare RecruitingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealthcare executive search firm retained by Special Tree to conduct search for NeuroCare Center Administrator. Led by Michelle Whittaker-McCracken, Healthcare Practice Leader.
• UCSFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Basem Almasri completed UCSF Fellowship for Hospital Leaders in 2012, contributing to his medical leadership expertise brought to Special Tree.
• St. John Hospital and Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Basem Almasri completed his Family Practice Residency at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit before joining Special Tree.
• Riverside Kayak ConnectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdaptive kayaking equipment provider that provides hands-on instruction and support at Special Tree's Adaptive Sports Experience events.
• Michigan Adaptive SportsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdaptive sports organization providing equipment and expertise for Special Tree's Adaptive Sports Experience community events.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Craig Hospital: Nationally recognized specialty neurorehabilitation hospital for spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury in Englewood, Colorado. Operates a similar specialty model focused on SCI/TBI with strong outcomes reputation, directly comparable to Special Tree's neuro rehab focus.
• Shepherd Center: Private, nonprofit specialty hospital in Atlanta dedicated to medical treatment, research, and rehabilitation for people with SCI, TBI, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain. Directly comparable as a single-site specialty neurorehabilitation provider.
• Magee Rehabilitation Hospital: Philadelphia-based specialty rehabilitation hospital (now part of Jefferson Health) focused on spinal cord injury, brain injury, and stroke rehabilitation. Comparable as a CARF-accredited specialty rehab provider serving similar patient populations.
• NeuroRestorative (Sevita): Post-acute neurorehabilitation provider within Sevita's health services portfolio, operating residential, community, and outpatient programs for brain and spinal cord injury across multiple states. Comparable as a multi-setting post-acute neuro rehab specialist.
• Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare: Independent specialty rehabilitation provider in Pomona, California offering inpatient rehab, outpatient therapy, residential, and pediatric services for brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other neurological conditions. Comparable as a multi-setting specialty neuro rehab provider.
• Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation: Select Medical-operated specialty rehabilitation hospitals in New Jersey specializing in brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, and orthopedic rehabilitation. Directly comparable multi-site specialty neuro rehab provider.

Broad incumbents

• Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital: Boston-based flagship rehabilitation hospital of Mass General Brigham offering comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, and residential neuro rehab. Larger academic-affiliated incumbent with overlapping SCI/TBI/stroke specialty but broader scope.
• Encompass Health: Largest U.S. operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals with extensive IRF footprint treating stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other neurological conditions. Broad incumbent that competes for the same referral channels and payors.
• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: Chicago-based translational rehabilitation research hospital focused on complex conditions including brain injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke. Top-tier research-driven incumbent with overlapping patient population and CARF specialty accreditation.
• TIRR Memorial Hermann: Houston-based flagship rehabilitation hospital within Memorial Hermann, providing specialty inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation for SCI, TBI, stroke, and complex neurological conditions. Comparable academic-affiliated specialty neuro rehab incumbent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SpecialTree
• Facebookfacebook.com/specialtree

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Special Tree Rehabilitation System