NEWS

Family-owned provider expands to five locations across Maryland and Virginia

Vierra Communities, a third-generation family-owned provider of skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, announced that effective July 1, 2026, it will add operations of two skilled nursing facilities in the Washington metropolitan region: Woodside Rehab & Nursing in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Admiral Health & Rehab in Arlington, Virginia.

The addition expands Vierra’s operating portfolio to five communities across Maryland and Virginia, joining Carriage Hill Bethesda Health & Rehab, St. Elizabeth Rehab & Nursing, and Vierra Falls Church Health & Rehab.

While the facilities are new additions to Vierra’s operating platform, they have been part of the Vucich family legacy for generations. Both communities were originally developed by the Vucich family in the 1960s and 1970s and have remained under family ownership ever since. For many years, the facilities were operated by third-party providers. Beginning July 1, they will once again be operated directly by the family that built them.

“These communities have been part of our family’s story for more than fifty years,” said Derek Vucich, President of Vierra Communities. “My grandfather originally developed both buildings, and bringing them back under direct family operation is a full-circle moment. While we’re proud to continue his legacy, it’s our team that will define the future of these communities. Our clinicians, caregivers, department leaders, and support teams have built a reputation for delivering exceptional care, and we’re excited to bring that same commitment to Woodside and Admiral.”

Both communities will immediately benefit from Vierra’s Hospitalist physician oversight model and the introduction of VIVID Recovery™, the organization’s specialized short-stay rehabilitation program. Vierra also plans to undertake significant renovations and modernization projects at both locations, enhancing patient rooms, common areas, therapy spaces, and the overall resident experience.

Woodside Rehab & Nursing

Located near Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland, Woodside Rehab & Nursing is a 92-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation center serving Montgomery County and the greater Washington metropolitan area. The community provides short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, wound care, and chronic disease management services and has established a strong reputation for rehabilitation outcomes.

Admiral Health & Rehab

Located near the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, Admiral Health & Rehab is a 240-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation campus serving residents throughout Northern Virginia. The community features a specialized 60-bed Ventilator Unit and a dedicated on-site Hemodialysis Unit, providing advanced care for medically complex patients requiring specialized post-acute and long-term care services. The campus serves as an important regional resource for patients requiring ventilator care, dialysis services, and other complex medical needs.

A Return to Family Stewardship

Originally developed by the Vucich family during the 1960s and 1970s, both locations have served residents and families throughout the Washington metropolitan region for decades. Although ownership never changed hands, the facilities were operated by third-party providers for many years.

Today, under third-generation leadership, Vierra is bringing these communities back under direct family stewardship and investing in their next chapter. The transition reflects Vierra’s commitment to combining experienced clinical leadership, dedicated team members, innovative rehabilitation programs, and ongoing capital investment to create exceptional environments for residents, families, and employees alike.

“As we welcome Woodside and Admiral into the Vierra family of operated communities, our focus is simple,” added Vucich. “Support our team members, deliver outstanding care, invest in our buildings, and ensure these communities continue serving residents and families for generations to come.”

About Vierra Communities

Vierra Communities is a third-generation, family-owned provider of skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and long-term care services throughout Maryland and Virginia. For more than 70 years, the organization has combined clinical excellence with compassionate service, creating communities where residents recover, thrive, and feel at home. Vierra Communities operates five skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers across the Mid-Atlantic region.

St. Elizabeth Rehab & Nursing, a Vierra facility and longstanding faith-based community in Baltimore, announced the appointment of fellowship-trained cardiologist Dr. Hakim Uqdah, DO, PharmD, and the expansion of its physician-led Cardiac Program. The announcement comes as St. Elizabeth undergoes a multi-million-dollar renovation designed to elevate the care environment for residents, patients, and families.

Dr. Uqdah brings a rare dual background in medicine and pharmacy — a combination that strengthens both clinical decision-making and medication management. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Drexel University College of Medicine, where he served as Chief Resident, and his Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship at Penn State Hershey Medical Center as Chief Fellow. He currently serves as the Cardiology Section Chief for Ascension Saint Agnes Heart Care and is board-certified in internal medicine, clinical cardiology, echocardiography, and nuclear cardiology.

Under Dr. Uqdah’s direction, the Cardiac Program centers on early intervention, proactive monitoring, and individualized care planning. Patients receive consistent onsite access to a board-certified cardiologist through weekly rounding, enabling real-time clinical oversight and timely response as conditions change. The program supports recovery following cardiac procedures and manages chronic conditions including heart failure, hypertension, and lipid disorders through structured care, patient education, and medication optimization. The goal: fewer avoidable hospitalizations, safer transitions, more sustainable recoveries.

“Bringing Dr. Uqdah into our community is a meaningful step forward, both in our cardiac services and in the overall care experience we provide,” said Valerie Etienne, Administrator of St. Elizabeth Rehab & Nursing. “We remain focused on care that treats the whole person, clinically, emotionally, and spiritually, while ensuring patients have access to advanced cardiac expertise close to home.”

Rooted in a mission of compassion and dignity, St. Elizabeth Rehab & Nursing has long served as a trusted provider of short-term rehabilitation and long-term care in Baltimore. The current renovation reflects an ongoing commitment to a more modern, comfortable, healing-centered environment. The facility remains fully agency-free, staffed entirely by its dedicated in-house team of caregivers.

As part of Vierra Communities, a third-generation, family-owned skilled nursing operator, St. Elizabeth Rehab & Nursing represents more than half a century of expertise and compassionate care in the DMV region.

For more information about St. Elizabeth Rehab & Nursing and its Cardiac Program, visit stelizabethnursing.com.

Vierra Communities is pleased to announce the appointment of John Njonjo, RN, BSN, as Vice President of Clinical Services, further strengthening its longstanding commitment to clinical excellence across its skilled nursing and rehabilitation communities.

Njonjo brings nearly two decades of experience in long-term care, along with extensive multistate regional expertise as a Registered Nurse. He is highly regarded for his focus on regulatory compliance, clinical quality, and survey readiness, as well as his ability to lead teams in delivering consistent, high-performing outcomes.

A self-proclaimed “regulatory guru,” Njonjo is known for translating complex regulatory requirements into practical, survey-ready operations that drive measurable results.

“John’s depth of experience and hands-on leadership make him an exceptional addition to our organization,” said Nikki Gachot, Vierra’s Vice President of Business Development. “His ability to operationalize regulatory excellence will further elevate the quality of care across our communities.”

Njonjo shared his enthusiasm for joining Vierra Communities, citing its commitment to advancing care and supporting clinical teams. “I’m excited to be part of an organization that prioritizes both quality and innovation in care delivery,” he said. “Together, we can continue to build programs that not only meet regulatory expectations, but truly improve outcomes for those we serve.”

Outside of his professional role, Njonjo is a husband and father of two grown sons. He enjoys gardening and spending time outdoors.

About Vierra Communities
For more than half a century, Vierra Communities has been a trusted, family-owned name in healthcare throughout the DMV region, known for delivering high-quality, compassionate care in luxurious, thoughtfully designed settings. Guided by its promise of Clinical Excellence & Timeless Charm for a Premier Rehab Experience, the organization combines elevated environments with exceptional clinical outcomes across its skilled nursing and rehabilitation communities.

Carriage Hill Bethesda, part of the esteemed Vierra family of healthcare facilities, is proud to announce the addition of Dr. Ricardo L. Cook, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, to its medical team. Known for its outstanding legacy of care, Carriage Hill Bethesda is a premier skilled nursing and rehabilitation center offering patients a distinctive blend of clinical excellence, personalized service, and hospitality-inspired comfort.

Dr. Cook brings more than two decades of experience in orthopedic surgery, with advanced expertise in foot and ankle reconstruction, joint trauma and reconstruction, diabetic foot care, and peripheral nerve conditions. A graduate and fellowship-trained physician from the University of Maryland, he has held key leadership positions throughout his career, including Chief of Surgery and Chief of Medical Staff at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital. Known for his patient-centered approach and surgical precision, Dr. Cook is deeply committed to helping individuals regain strength, mobility, and confidence following injury or surgery.

“Dr. Cook’s expertise adds an important new dimension to our rehabilitation and orthopedic programs,” said Nikki Gachot, Vice President of Business Development & Marketing at Vierra. “His background in complex orthopedic care complements our interdisciplinary approach and strengthens our ability to support every stage of recovery.”

Carriage Hill Bethesda provides short-term rehabilitation, long-term skilled nursing, and an array of specialty medical programs designed to meet complex patient needs. These include Renal Care with Peritoneal Dialysis, on-site Physiatry and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), Cardiac Rehabilitation, advanced Wound Care, and Hospice and Palliative Care in partnership with Accent Care. This integrated model ensures that patients receive seamless, coordinated treatment supported by a compassionate and highly trained clinical team.

As a proud member of Vierra Communities, Carriage Hill Bethesda continues to uphold an exceptional standard of care rooted in clinical excellence, dignity, and respect. With Dr. Cook joining its team, the community further strengthens its mission to help each patient achieve meaningful recovery and an improved quality of life.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please visit carriagehillbethesda.com or call (301) 897-5500.