Owen Valley in the News
Owen Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center Introduces Indiana’s First Artificial Intelligence-Powered “Caregiver” Robot During Open House
Skilled Nursing Facility Also Celebrates Newly Renovated Rehab Suite with Ribbon-Cutting and Dedication Ceremony
August 29, 2024
Owen Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, the 113-bed skilled nursing facility in Spencer, Ind., held a community open house to unveil Indiana’s first artificial intelligence-powered “caregiver,” Robin the Robot. Designed as an emotionally intelligent robot, Robin is part of the Owen Valley Rehab team providing residents with a high level of personalized care and engagement.
The community event took place at the facility’s campus at 920 W. Highway 46 in Spencer on Wed., Aug. 28. As part of the celebration, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the opening of its newly renovated therapy gym and suite, featuring the latest high-tech rehabilitative equipment, therapies, and amenities.
The new rehab gym was dedicated to Dr. Diane Wells, Owen Valley Rehab’s long-time medical director, who also serves as Owen County’s medical director, and as a local pastor.
The socially assistive Robin the Robot prioritizes residents’ needs, providing personalized and therapeutic care. For instance, Robin performs advanced and very human-like interactions such as talking, reading, playing games, and more, according to Robin’s inventor and Expper Technologies’ CEO Dr. Karen Khachikyan. Robin has been recognized for its ability to provide personalized and therapeutic care, winning many industry awards, including Time Magazine's Best Invention of 2021.
“Robin will be a wonderful social companion, improving the quality of care for residents and creating a better environment for team members,” said Cathy Jo Parker, administrator of Owen Valley. “This new technology allows us to provide another level of emotional and mental health support within the facility. Initially, we are trialing Robin with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia patients and eventually expanding its scope.”
Owen Valley Rehabilitation has a dedicated, 31-bed, secure memory care unit, which serves people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the facility provides essential long- and short-term rehabilitative services and state-of-the-art care to the community.
Owen Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare to Unveil Indiana’s First AI-Powered Robot to Aid Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patients
Media Invited to Aug. 28 Event at Owen Valley Rehab for Debut of “Robin the Robot” and Dedication of Newly Renovated, State-of -the-Art Rehabilitation Unit
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Owen Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, 920 W. Highway 46, Spencer, Ind. 47460
Visuals and Interview Opportunities:
- Unveiling AI-powered Robin the Robot, a research-based mental health robot – first one to be used for care in Indiana
- Comments/interviews with Dr. Karen Khachikyan, Robin the Robot inventor and Founder and CEO of Expper Technologies
- Ribbon cutting and tour of Owen Valley Rehab’s newly renovated gym and rehab suite Dedication ceremony honoring Dr. B. Diane Wells, Owen County Health Officer
- Comments/interviews with Cathy Jo Parker, Exec. Dir. of Owen Valley Rehab
Significance:
On Aug. 28, Owen Valley Rehab will unveil Robin the Robot, Indiana’s first artificial intelligence-powered robotic “caregiver.” Expper Technologies’ CEO and Robin inventor Dr. Khachikyan will introduce the new socially assistive robot that will join the healthcare team at Owen Valley Rehab.
In addition, the skilled nursing facility will hold a ribbon cutting for its newly renovated gym and rehab suite. Visitors can tour the facility that features the latest high-tech rehabilitative equipment, therapies, and amenities. The new facility’s rehab gym will be celebrated with a dedication ceremony to honor the work of Dr. Diane Wells, Owen County’s medical director, local pastor, and long-time Medical Director at Owen Valley.
For questions or to RSVP, contact: Ken Hunter, Caryl Communications, 201-796-7788, ken@caryl.com
Robin the Robot - Aggregated
August 29, 2024
Self-proclaimed chief happiness officer "Robin the Robot" is Indiana's first artificial intelligence-powered caregiver.
Indiana’s first ‘AI-powered caregiver’ makes debut
UPDATED - August 29, 2024
The newest staff member at Owen Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center looks a little… Different. She’s almost four feet tall and glides across the floor. Not to mention, she’s got a digital face.
Robin the Robot
August 29, 2024
Meet Robin the Robot, the newest in healthcare for patients with memory disorders.
Indiana’s first ‘AI-powered caregiver’ arrives to Owen Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
August 28, 2024
SPENCER, Ind. – The newest staff member at Owen Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center looks a little… Different. She’s almost four feet tall and glides across the floor. Not to mention, she’s got a digital face.
Indiana’s first ‘AI-powered caregiver’ arrives to Owen Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
August 28, 2024
Self-proclaimed chief happiness officer “Robin the Robot” is Indiana’s first artificial intelligence-powered caregiver.
Owen Valley and McCormick’s Creek Rehabilitation & Healthcare Centers Held Joint Coat Drive for Kids and Adults in Need
Skilled Nursing Facility Soliciting New and Used Kids' Coats for Three Local Youth Organizations
December 21, 2022
Owen Valley Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center and McCormick’s Creek Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, skilled nursing facilities in Spencer, Ind., just completed their first annual kids and adults coat drive.
“The skilled nursing facilities partnered with other healthcare companies in the region to collect nearly 100 coats. The participating partners included, Amedysis Home Health, Elara Caring Home Health, IU Hospice & Hospice House, Kindred Hospice, Select Home Health, and SouthernCare Hospice.
The organizations receiving the coats – Head Start, New Beginnings, Middleway House, and the Wheeler Mission – will provide them to youngsters and adults in their networks with who are in need of jackets, snowsuits, and other cold-weather clothing.
“Holding this coat drive is very much in keeping with our commitment to be a good community neighbor,” said Sara Mitchell, McCormick’s Creek administrator. “We know that by distributing these coats to local children and adults in need, our community partners play an active role in helping local children, adults, and their families.”
“This is another way we fulfill our mission,” said Michelle Russell, Owen Valley administrator. “Our commitment is to provide genuine hometown care while becoming a vital partner in the community.”
Left to right, back row: Michelle Russell of Owen Valley Rehab, Jaimie Benales of Select Home Health, Natalie Holden of IU Hospice, Jennifer Schnurpel of Owen Valley Rehab, Crystal Swinehart of Head Start, and Tiffany Ardnt of SouthernCare Hospice. Left to right, front row: Hallie Collier of Heart to Heart Hospice, and Julie Seaford of McCormick’s Creek Rehab.
Owen Valley and McCormick’s Creek host a variety of yearly events to benefit the community. Past events have included Easter egg hunts and visits from the Easter Bunny, Halloween trunk or treats, and drive-through holiday lights and decorations.