New HSS Wellness Center Offers Employees Space to Rest, Recharge, and Renew

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hospital for Special Surgery, the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health, is pleased to announce the opening of the HSS Wellness Center, a no-cost resource available to all HSS employees.

The 5,400-square-foot facility offers a variety of resources that promote both physical and mental wellbeing, including a strengthening room, fitness classes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and a multi-sensory recharge room. Employees also have access to warm-up and recovery equipment, a reflecting room with books and games, and private bathrooms with showers.

“We understand the enormous pressures that come with being a healthcare worker,” said Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA, President and CEO of HSS. “Our people are our greatest asset, and we must do everything we can to ensure they know just how valued they are. The HSS Wellness Center was created to show our staff the same exceptional compassion and care they give to our patients every day.”

Chief Wellness and Resiliency Officer at HSS, Steve Forti, has led the design, build, and now the operations of the center. With programming and the hours tailored to meet the diverse needs of the staff, the center will initially operate Monday through Friday to accommodate all shifts, with plans to adjust as necessary to support the staff. A combat veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces turned critical care nurse, Forti has dedicated his career to serving others. At HSS, he played a crucial role in supporting the wellness of frontline workers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, earning recognition for his ability to navigate high pressure situations with skill and compassion.

“The philosophy of wellness at HSS has been driven in part by my experience as a Green Beret, but also from the needs identified by the high performing staff, at every level of HSS. The HSS Wellness Center is the physical embodiment of those lessons learned from both the military and in medicine, to provide the physical and emotional support that allows our staff to perform at its very best.” Forti continued, “The HSS Board of Directors and senior leadership have demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting staff resilience, a dedication that enables us to continue to lead musculoskeletal care worldwide.”

Because each person’s health and wellness needs are unique, the new HSS Wellness Center offers something for everyone. The Strengthening room features premium exercise equipment for instructor-supervised individual workouts, while group classes such as yoga, kickboxing, and HIIT foster a sense of community and connection. The Recovering room will have rehabilitative equipment and physical therapy tables for pre- or post-workout mobility and recovery.

Relaxation, or as Forti insist “down-regulation” is also a major component of the new facility, offering a custom-built recharge room by Studio Elsewhere, hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers, and a reflecting room where employees can read, play games, and unwind.

“Investing in holistic employee resources and amenities like the HSS Wellness Center cultivates a connected and engaged workforce,” said Reginald Odom, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at HSS.

“The new Wellness Center was designed to create a welcoming space where everyone feels comfortable and included,” Odom said. “When employees recognize the value they bring to HSS and beyond, that’s when they truly excel.”

About HSS

HSS is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the 15th consecutive year), No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2024-2025), and the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in NY, NJ and CT by U.S. News & World Report “Best Children’s Hospitals” list (2023-2024). In a survey of medical professionals in more than 20 countries by Newsweek, HSS is ranked world #1 in orthopedics for a fifth consecutive year (2025). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has the lowest readmission rates in the nation for orthopedics, and among the lowest infection and complication rates. HSS was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center five consecutive times. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State, as well as in Florida. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field of musculoskeletal health in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. In addition, more than 200 HSS clinical investigators are working to improve patient outcomes through better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat orthopedic, rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The HSS Innovation Institute works to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is a trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal knowledge and research for physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, academic trainees, and consumers in more than 165 countries. The institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally. www.hss.edu.