About Pate Rehab
Our Story & Mission
For more than 35 years, Pate Rehabilitation’s mission has been to serve people with brain injuries, their families, and the community at large.
We provide professional services, support, and education focused on returning injured individuals to their highest level possible of independence and quality of life. At Pate, we strive to match care with the cultural needs and preferences of those we serve. Pate was founded by Dr. Mary Ellen Hayden after losing her 12-year-old son to a traumatic brain injury. Her realization of the limited brain injury care options at that time compelled her to form a comprehensive treatment option for brain injury survivors.
Fast forward to June of 2021, Pate Rehabilitation was acquired by Rehab Without Walls. This ideal match partnered two leaders in brain injury care allowing for an expanded continuum of post-hospital brain injury care services. Our mission of providing quality care services and helping individuals live fulfilling lives is shared by our parent company, BrightSpring Health Services, a national company with a mission to help people live their best life.
Our core values are interwoven into everything we do:
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Empowerment
- Respect
- Compassion
- Relationships
Accreditation
Dedicated to providing the highest caliber of care to individuals with brain injuries, Pate Rehab is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
About CARF
The CARF accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. CARF is an independent, non-profit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of those served. Our CARF accreditation includes the following programs:
- Interdisciplinary Outpatient Medical Rehabilitation Programs: Brain Injury Program (Adults)
- Interdisciplinary Outpatient Medical Rehabilitation Programs: Brain Injury Program (Children and Adolescents)
- Interdisciplinary Outpatient Medical Rehabilitation Programs: Stroke Specialty Program (Adults)
- Residential Rehabilitation Programs: Brain Injury Program (Adults)
- Residential Rehabilitation Programs: Brain Injury Program (Children and Adolescents)
- Residential Rehabilitation Programs: Stroke Specialty Program (Adults)
- Vocational Services: Brain Injury Program (Adults)
- Vocational Services: Stroke Specialty Program (Adults)
The Ben Hayden Award
In 1974, Dr. Hayden lost her son, Ben, after he was hit by a car and died of a traumatic brain injury. At that time, medical and rehabilitation services for people with brain injuries were limited. Dr. Hayden became committed to improving the research and rehabilitation options for individuals after a brain injury, which ultimately led to the formation of Pate Rehabilitation.
Dr. Hayden’s passion to find new ways to help people has made Pate a leader in patient centered care. Our core values of Respect, Relationship, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion and Empowerment are found across our staff interactions, patient care, family support and advocacy work to improve brain injury rehabilitation. These core values are our foundation and help define the essence of Pate’s mission and culture.
The Ben Hayden award is given each year to an individual who exemplifies all of Pate’s core values. These individuals are celebrated throughout the company and are honored at a special banquet each Spring.
2025 Winner
Paulina Mendoza
Speech & Rehabilitation Technician | Savanna Oaks Ranch
Paulina is the ideal teammate and employee according to her Fort Worth team. She is selfless, genuine, and consistently goes the extra mile to meet the needs of others. Paulina is a team player across all departments and is willing to pick up extra shifts, drive transportation routes, or assist with translating. Her dedication and willingness to help in any capacity makes her an invaluable asset to Pate Rehabilitation and makes her truly deserving of this recognition.
Paulina has a natural ability to build meaningful relationships with everyone she encounters. At Pate Rehabilitation, she approaches each patient as if they are her own responsibility, treating them with the utmost care, respect, and attention. Paulina has a unique ability to connect with individuals at all levels of need. Her ability to adapt her approach and truly engage with each patient creates an environment of trust and support.
Paulina is passionate about advocating for and training patients to manage their health conditions to reduce their risk for recurrent injuries. She works with patients to teach them how to check their own blood pressure and blood sugar. She has them record their results to share with physicians during their appointments and helps better equip them to make decisions about their own care. For several of the patients we treat, this is a new concept, but important enough to her to not be overlooked.
When Paulina commits to something, she ensures it is completed to the highest standard. Her dedication is evident even in the moments when no one is looking. As someone who thrives on staying busy, Paulina takes the initiative to address overlooked tasks like extra cleaning, compliance measures, or proactively finding ways she can make the Fort Worth team’s day easier. Her honesty and work ethic make her an exemplary role model to all.
Paulina has been highlighted in recent satisfaction surveys and recognized by a former patient as going above and beyond to assist them when they lacked family support and technology skills. She spent time with him before and during his treatment day to help him navigate the process of applying for SSDI benefits and food stamps. Her commitment to ensuring the application was completed accurately not only eased the patient’s burden but also showcased her deep care and compassion for those she serves.
Paulina exemplifies a servant heart in every aspect of her leadership. She leads not by command, but by example. Paulina’s teammates describe her as “consistently putting the needs of others before her own.” Whether supporting individuals, teams, or entire departments, Paulina works tirelessly to help others perform at their highest potential. Her contributions, though often behind the scenes, foster a positive work environment where everyone thrives.
