History

The Story of The Gregory Kistler Center…
As told by Jennifer Kistler, Executive Director

“The Gregory Kistler Treatment Center For Children, Inc. was founded in 1978, and named for
my brother who was injured in an automobile accident at the age of six. He suffered a brain
injury resulting in paralysis of the left side of his body. Due to lack of available services, my
parents found it necessary to take him to New Orleans, Louisiana, to receive specialized
rehabilitative care. Several years after the accident, my daughter, Michelle, was born with the
birth defect spina bifida. We had never heard of spina bifida and went to the library for more
information. The literature contained very dismal reports and we felt like there was no hope.
As a result of these circumstances, our family became very aware of the need for a center in
the Fort Smith area that could provide specialized rehabilitative services for children and at the
same time allow the parents to see that they are not alone. Because of the awareness of the
need for a center that could provide physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy,
my parents and I gathered together with community leaders and developed a plan to open a
treatment center. Charles Shuffield, then President of Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort
Smith, agreed to provide two rooms in the original hospital building. These rooms were provided
at no charge. After only six months, we expanded into five rooms in the same location. Then,
hospital officials began to make plans to demolish the building and the Center was offered use
of another structure. In 1984, the Kistler Center moved to a 1,900-square-foot facility and began
paying a nominal monthly rent. After conducting a feasibility study to determine the level of
community support, the Center embarked on a campaign to raise the funds needed to construct
a new treatment center. Over $1,300,000 was raised for constructing and equipping the new
facility. Construction began in October, 1995, and we moved into our new 12,000 square-foot
facility on June 13, 1996.”

What was born out of one family’s need, over 30 years ago, has grown to become an outpatient
treatment center known throughout the region as the premier pediatric facility. Center staff have
earned a reputation throughout the region for their compassionate professionalism and personal
commitment to providing the highest quality care, not only to the children, but also to the entire
family. Parents, grandparents, siblings, and other caregivers are included in treatment when
appropriate to facilitate continuity of care in all settings.

The children who receive physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy at
The Gregory Kistler Treatment Center span a wide range of diagnoses and needs. Some children
need assistance with the basics of daily living, such as feeding and sitting up, while others may
have problems with balance and coordination. The child’s diagnosis and individual needs
determine the frequency and duration of treatment; most receive therapy regularly for a period of
months to several years. Over 530 children currently benefit from our services, while more than
3,000 children and families have received help at the Center since it’s beginning. Many live in
Fort Smith, but others will travel up to three hours to receive services at the Kistler Center.

Treatment at the Center is provided without regard to the ability of the child’s family to pay for
services. All that is required for a child to be able to benefit from treatment at the Center is a
prescription from his or her physician. The Gregory Kistler Treatment Center is the only
outpatient center specializing in the treatment of children in the Arkansas and Oklahoma region.

Click Below to Read More About
Michelle Kistler, 1974-2003

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